Weekly Contest Results, 31 August 2015

The judges this week selected poems representing varied themes. The dark Armageddon from Rania and the blissful reverie from Ben (Naughtymouse) each received acclaim from 3 judges. A tie was broken by the site between the aspiring verses of a sorcerers apprentice (Ben Pickard) and the eternal lamentations by Gadfly. Seven other poems received Honorable Mentions, including a second by winner Naughtymouse. Congratulations to all and thanks to the judges.

Front Page:
Havoc: Ms Sunshine aka Rania Moallem @ 27 points
She Dances: Naughtymouse @ 24 points
I Want My Words To Drip With Magic: Ben Pickard @ 10 points

Honorable Mentions:
Lonelier Than My Words: Gadfly @ 10 points
22 August: Dancing Poppies @ 7 points
These Butterflies Will Never Die: Lune de ma vie @ 7 points
Like a God: Adreamer @ 4 points
Collecting Maps: Baby Rainbow @ 4 points
Befriending Misery: Dark Secrets @ 4 points
Timeless: Naughtymouse @ 4 points
Aporia: Senyru @ 4 points

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Havoc by Ms Sunshine aka Rania Moallem 10 points
A gritty poem like this stands out from the mush and gush so often drenching the pages of poetry. It is at once a song of extinction and yet of defiance. The dismissal of icons that normally give succor underscores the depravity of this destruction. To swallow the ruins is internalization of disaster, there is no escape, neither from the blasted concrete-dust outside nor from the recognition that nothing is left.

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Havoc by Ms Sunshine aka Rania Moallem 10 points
This poem really grabbed my attention immediately with the hint of rhyme but incredible use of metaphors through out. As much as I'd love to rant and rave about each line, literally stating your metaphors and rhythm of this poem is what got my 10. I was captivated, read it again immediately after the first read, and just thought it was pieced together perfectly. I love how you started with ...And. it leaves the reader guessing what happened before that? this seemed to be an after thought of something. Really enjoyable read!

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Havoc by Ms Sunshine aka Rania Moallem 7 points
This dark havoc took me back to the classic Highwayman The priest appealed to nostalgic thoughts of faking a book report on Chaucer, but it mysteriously fit with savior (which is I needed when the nun caught me . I nearly choked on the clock cloaked in my anal retentive love of perfection. Trust me the poem is deeper than my critique .

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She Dances by Naughtymouse 10 points
The imagery in this poem is breath taking. I find myself able to see everything that is painted and its such a content and serene scene that flourishes in my mind from start to finish. The use of dragonflies in the opening verse was perfect, something new and fresh.
My favourite part was begging the universe to stop for a moment, something I think we all wish we could do in those moments we truly long to capture, to freeze, to stand still and savour.
I particularly enjoyed the use of not only imagery but the use of scent placed within the poem, I thought it added so much more depth to it to use more of the senses, and the last line was beautiful. Very inspiring and creates such a tranquil feeling.

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She Dances by Naughtymouse 7 points
The last time I felt this way about a woman was watching Stevie Nicks dancing offstage right beside me - dancing and whirling to the music of Scarlet Rivera's violin. No one who has experienced this will ever have a normal life for Rhiannon has touched them.

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She Dances by Naughtymouse 7 points
Ben your poems about love and romance typically do some stirring in hearts of the reader that's for sure. I notice a touch of nature always in your love poetry and that's what makes your poems so dazzling. The gentleness in the tone of this poem, the description of her twirling, almost makes the reader fall in love with her too. I love the pirouettes around her ankles bit. That was so beautiful and the visual was perfectly penned. You are the best at this genre no doubt and well done on yet another heart fluttering piece.

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I Want My Words To Drip With Magic by Ben Pickard 10 points
Again just when I thing judging could not get more challenging it always does
This poem satisfied what I needed at the moment . The rhythm and rhyme hit the spot with a touch of archaic imagery mesmerizing me into the classic magic of traditional poetry.

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Lonelier Than My Words by Gadfly 10 points.
This is such a sample of what poetry is supposed to make you feel. An amazing force-less poem. It flowed with words, with metaphors, with rawness and emotions. It's a very sad and a very very well written and well composed piece.
I loved every single detail. From title to opening lines, to scenario to closing words. It's simply a complete poem that did not fail at any line.
Hope to see this on the from page, it's worthy of highlight.
Well done, this for sure will not be a lonely poem.

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22 August by Dancing Poppies 7 points
Absolutely adore the opening of this piece. It immediately sets the tone of the poem and tells me that the author is either searching for something loved or longing for it and I can't wait to find out which.
The second verse was my favourite, it tells us a little more of the back story. That the person written about is someone the author has ties to, that they miss their familiar mannerisms and traits.
I really enjoyed how the author tied the next verse back into the first with coming back to her heart being tied and I found the closing line to be bittersweet in the fact the smile was missed but still loved.
Lovely work.

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These Butterflies Will Never Die by Lune de ma vie 7 points
Sad poems are soaring this week.
An amazing poem. For a long piece, this was very thrilling and soothing with all its sadness.
Loved the tribute at the end, it just made it all very personal and sincere.
The narrative tone gave it a unique structure which could have went odd, but I enjoyed reading it word by word.
Very touching.
Thank you for sharing.

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Like a God by Adreamer 4 points
I instantly found myself drawn to this poem s I believe the opening few lines are something we can all relate to when dealing with losing a loved one, be it romantically or platonic-ally.
When we're hurting, others words seem to lose their meaning and we find whilst we can understand it we can't relate or remember those feelings ourselves and stay drawn into the misery.
"It's all your fault that I've lost my will to poet, "
I love this line. So often we see writers talk about block, losing their muse, but rarely if ever blaming someone specifically for it when in actual fact it is usually a person or event that caused the creativity to stop flowing.
"You're like a god -Good thing my religion doesn't have those. "
Beautiful and powerful ending. I find this to be saying this person is acting more entitled than they should, that they think they are more important than others when everyone else can see this isn't the case.
I really liked this.

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Collecting Maps by Baby Rainbow 4 points
Would that we had such direction before we got started. Maps that tell us places we've been hurt mire us in the past. It's a brave soul, though, that can cast them into the fire and start anew.

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Befriending Misery by Dark Secrets 4 points
This poem deserved more than four points
A bold poem needs a bold review . I thought I'd found the schism in the God of Abraham in Ishmael and the father of Jacob, but the misery may date back to Cain and Abel . The world is still a work in progress . Who in their right mind could understand the conflict (jihad)that even occurs in a sound mind , but it is allowed by a Higher Power for the greater good that I won't pretend to understand .

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Timeless by Naughtymouse 4 points
This is heartbreaking. I can imagine One, in front of the bathroom mirror staring with a poker sad face with all the weights reflecting on their face.
A very small but emotion-rich poem, something I've noticed this week throughout the poems. I really appreciate when poems reflect so much authenticity.
The last 3 lines were so strong they hit the nail in the head. Very powerful and express clearly the state of the writer.
Well done with this indeed, Timeless poem, which one reads and reads all over again.

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Aporia by Senyru 4 points
No offense to the other writers I voted for as their poetry was superb, but I almost wished I had cast this a 10. I stumbled upon it last minute and was blown away. Honestly, I want to completely break this poem down and tell you which lines I adored and applauded and teared up over, but I literally think it'd be an essay. This poem is sad yet happy yet sorrowful yet joyful. The metaphors, the raw emotion, this poem was so action packed I was pretty blown away by the end. You deserve this win my friend

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Thanks for your time and effort, judges, and congratulations to the other poets mentioned here. I honestly don't know how the judges do this job - some wonderful pieces again this week; perhaps we need a top 5!

Congratulations peeps!! :) Thanks judges for all your hard work!

Congrats all! :0)

These comments are very humbling and touching. One can really tell how much effort these judges make just by how deep they read into the poems themselves. I really appreciate every single word in your comments. And thank you for your votes.

Congratulations for both Bens! Pretty classy to have you both in one week.

@naughtymouse: Now the Benben makes sense.

Well done for the rest of HMs . And thank you Larry for posting; boss!

Thank you for the great comment. Congrats everyone, I like the diverse flavor this week :)

Hey guys...wow im totally humbled by the comments on both my poems, thank you so much for the time you guys spend reading and commenting it is very much appreciated :)

Well done Ben and Nananom and all the hms lovin the poems this week!

Congrats to all! Thank you judges and Larry for posting.

Congrats Winners and HM's!

Thank you judges and thanks Sir for posting :)

CONGRATS GUYS!!!! Well deserved wins, a special mention to my buddy Justin, well done on the HM, though personally I felt it was a first placer, well done bud. And to my buddy bennie well done :)

Conratulations to the winners and HM's (: