Weekly Contest Results, 2 November 2015

Every Afternoon at Four by Anna Stephens 10+7= 17 points
The Land I Love by Anna Stephens 10+7= 17 points
Marital Bliss (tanka) by Larry Chamberlin 7+4= 11 points
Catcher Of My Dreams (Tanka) by Cindy 10 points
You...a gift I thank by Meena Krish 10 points
Stone cold by Meme 4+4= 8 points
Let Lies Rest As Truths (Camera) by Ben Pickard 7 points
By Listening To You (Play Your Guitar) by Ben Pickard 4 points

The four contributing judges this week welcomed Anna's return to active PnQ life with not one but TWO additions to the front page. One, a lyric poem of sandstone monuments written from the POV of a landscape artist celebrating its colorful potency. The other is a dirge to an aging screen star unwilling to let go of the past or to explore her future. Additionally, the judges chose my own tongue-in-cheek paean to husbandly patience. Meme's Stone Cold garnered two votes, while Ben Pickard had two poems earn HMs, and delightful poems by Cindy and Meena round out the list. Next week starts our new panel of judges all of whom are chomping at the bit! Here are the comments:

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Every Afternoon at Four by Anna Stephens (10 points)
I don't know whether this poem is inspired by Sunset Boulevard but the noir tone is wonderful. I can exactly imagine the old star, Gloria-Swanson-style, living in her dreams, always expecting another stage call that would never come. The sadness of her predicament is made worse by the realization that she did not have to settle for that ending. Holding onto the glamour of youth so tightly prevented her from embracing and celebrating her maturity. Excellent entry. Curious about the title and recurring theme, though. Is there a significance to 4:00?

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Every Afternoon at Four by Anna Stephens 7 points
I like the simple yet vague title, got me interested.
Afternoons always reflect that type of theme where things go emotional and deep; for some reason.
A stunning way of narrating a story in such a poetic and descriptive way. It's an ultimate role, the one you helped your words play to serve your comprehension.
It's very touching and its much easier than one could think to relate to this piece by personal experience.
Found this to be worth of highlight!
Well done for writing.

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The Land I Love by Anna Stephens (7 points)
The imagery in this well delivered poem reflecting my feelings in a way I envied inspired my vote

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The Land I love by Anna Stephens 10 points
Anna this poem is as exquisite as I'm sure this real or fantasy painting is. I mean the word choice here really depicts such a detailed image in the readers head. I love how you ended this!! it wasn't necessarily describing a scene, but a scene you are painting. I feel like this poem was so artistic in many ways in that it was a poem, about a painting, about nature. all three forms of art if you ask me.
Really well done on this.

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Marital Bliss (tanka) by Larry Chamberlin (4 points)
Well I just could not pass this up, although it reminded me so much of my honeymoon it took a while to bring myself to laugh

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Marital Bliss (tanka) by Larry Chamberlin 7 points
Larry I found this poem to be misplaced in genres. ... though I can sense the humor you were trying to bring! But honestly, I found this to be so sweet, honest, and incredibly realistic. I loved the tanka choice first and foremost, such a small quick form to make a strong quick statement like this. I'm not even married yet, but can truly appreciate a man who has patience with his spouse as I know women can get lost in shopping for hours. This was awesome.

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Catcher Of My Dreams (Tanka) by Cindy (10 points)
This Tanka with the catchy title captured my attention with a feeling of unrequited love ,the kind that breaks a heart

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You...a gift I thank by Meena Krish 10 points
Not as simple as the title implies, really smart play on words and very sincere draft of expression!
I loved the pour of emotions in each verse and love the way everything rhymed so well! It's very easy to imagine the whole scene relying on your metaphors and descriptive tone.
There is the dark and the light side in this poem,
it takes you in and out and then in and out
until you reach the last verse and learn how grateful
you are as the character in this piece.

In the shade of your heart
memories kick away doubts,
feelings of You... burns the sorrow
in brown eyes;
^^^^^
What a verse ! When love is powerful
enough to heal the wounds. Beautiful just beautiful feelings.
Thank you for sharing.

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Stone cold by Meme (4 points)
Once again Meme has produced a masterpiece depiction of a dysfunctional relationship. I would almost ask her to do lighthearted stuff instead, but it would be like asking Salvador Dali to do court portraits. She is so good at it that the surreal aspects of the images are surpassed by their very humanness spilling out between the lines. This monologue is quietly spoken, softening the man to whom she directs it like a gentle massage, settling him down and bringing him to the point of relaxation - then confounds him with his incapacity to return such loving gestures. Cold, yes, stone heart, yes, but how can it not melt in such a presence of warmth?

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Stone Cold by Meme 4 points
Meme, what I really enjoyed about this poem is the soft cry for help at the end of it. I liked how you choose the abuser to be the one to ask to be caressed from if they understand, but then in the end realize they potentially can still leave you cold and dead and your spirit. I find it relatable. before leaving the person who hurts us, we still want them to be compassionate and change us.
I enjoyed this read.

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Let Lies Rest As Truths (Camera) by Ben Pickard (7 points)
I copy the poems, but not the titles or authors' names when judging and try to ignore them. I was somewhat surprised after I selected this poem and found Ben Pickard wrote it. The melancholy mood and self-flagellation is uncharacteristic of him. It shows that he continues to develop as a poet. The poem is starkly bare of softness until the end, where the near rhyme softens the impact of the withdrawal from scrutiny, turning it into a plea for acceptance without peeking under at the gruesome layers.

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By Listening To You (Play Your Guitar) by Ben Pickard 4 points
This poem actually not only makes you wonder about the writer of the poem but about the character the poem is written about!
The way you rhymed this with admiration and affection shows both your talent and the power of the guitar player.
A very flowing and allow me to say "Cute" poem! It's kind of soft and fluffy and musical!
OUT-REACHING poem. Well done!

I'd like to thank the outgoing judges for their hard work and timely comments. You may "out" yourselves if you choose and (if you wish) post your judging comments on the selected poems.

Again, a heartfelt thank you!

Also, congrats to Anna and the other poets whose poems were voted upon. Thanks to the two judges for their comments on Marital Bliss, and thanks to James for nominating it.

Thank you, judges, for sacrificing your time for this site! We so appreciate every vote, comment and moment you dedicated to this contest! <3

Congrats to the winners & HM's! It's always so fun to see old (not age, Anna :P hahaha) come back to be active again, and the judges blessed the site with your two wins! Love love love!

Thanks Larry for hostin' & postin'!

Well done to both winners and to the HM's.

I also want to join Larry in thanking the judges for their time and effort. *applauds* ...and for the new judges taking the batons.

I failed to mention that Every judge voted for one of Anna's two poems.

You're welcome Larry. And congrats all

Congrats everybody!

Congratulations to Anna on a brilliant double win and to Larry for his very humorous piece that left me nodding along knowingly!
Thanks to the judges for their time and for the hms.
All the very best everyone,
Ben

Thank you so much judges, appreciate you immensely in giving your time and voice voice on here. Thank you to Larry for posting (and congratulations too)!

Congrats to Anna on the double-win and all the HM's!

What a lovely, lovely surprise all this has been. I got so excited this morning that I forgot to put my oxygen on and got so dizzy I almost fell on the floor. LMAO That's true!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's good to be back

Well let's not get too frisky. We ancient peers must act within the confines of our abilities.

[ducks the oxygen tank thrown at me]

It is indeed a surprise to see the winners.. Im not trying to pick on Anna and Larry but on the judges! I mean, really have you guys spend some time to read any other poems????

Well, you certainly know how to kill a buzz,don't you. Flat ruined my day.

No, he's volunteering to judge.

Anna please know that Im not trying to hurt you in any ways...
As I already said I would love to be a judge but I cant even nominate so I pass for now..

It is indeed a surprise to see the winners...

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Bull butter! What was that if not a direct implication that my work is not up to your "standards"/

Don't cop out on such a lame excuse.
It took Britt about three days to regain her nominating status when she returned. All you need to do is write 10 substantive comments that can be praised.

If you cannot do that much don't grouch because someone else took up your slack.

Congratulations to all winners :)

Grand way of returning to site Anna :)

Congratulations Anna..I was so happy for you I couldn't wait to call sorry about the oxygen...lol...I did notice when you got out of breath. A very deserving win..both poems were excellent. Nice to have you back.
Sorry Larry congratulations to you also...Congratulations to the HMs

Congratulations to the Winners and HM's!! Thank you for the HM on my poem judges :)

Judges a big thank you for your time and effort to read, comment and vote on poems! Much appreciated!!

Thank you Sir for hosting and posting :)

Yes this is a good place to say goodbye to the good judges for the fantabulous job they did specially all those favor they did to this site and to their special ones and thank them if it is for nothing at least for being good TEAM players to their teams. And haha in the spirit of that thankfulness ask them to not lose their day job.

"It took Britt about three days to regain her nominating status when she returned. All you need to do is write 10 substantive comments that can be praised. "

I wrote lots of good comments here non was praised though (except by Everlasting) Because we pampere one another here so much that anything less than absolute appreciation seems offensive. And we have to: in order to get you have to give. Isn't it what they teach us?
Though our bargains have very little to do with the quality of our works.
I know though how to write those comments you're talking about. But it is this kind of superficiality we promote here which makes the air of this site so stale.
We as people are the cliche making assembling lines. Now let take a look at those prais worthy comments we are talking about: They are mostly measured by length and quantity of their lines not by their quality, by their appearance not by their quiddity. Just stretch your sentences and put few line from the poem itself and voila! you have got a praise worthy comment. 10? I can do hundreds.
But reading those comments even praising them, after, you still are left with the feeling of void in the pitch of your stomach for the lake of REAL MEANING.
So if we promoting this kind of superficiality here, do not blame those who refuse to demote their soul to that level, for crying out loud!!

I'm sorry, but I have to step in here again, which as people know, I hate to do.....
I think there's a very real danger of taking ourselves a little seriously on this site sometimes. We none of us are Shakespeare; we come here for the love of our hobby/art and to share it with like-minded people.
There is some immense talent on this site, absolutely. I do not question that at all. But to have a congratulation thread slowly descend into knit-picking (which is what is happening) is absurd.
Let's use the congratulation thread to CONGRATULATE; any personal issues could private messaged to whoever they concern.
Gadfly, leaving lengthy comments and giving people a little praise - even if sometimes it is too much - does not mean lowering your soul to any level. This is a poetry site where we come for fun and pleasure - I'm not sure anything on here could be deemed serious enough to condemn your soul - especially in regards to a lengthy comment!
Anna. May I just say again, your two pieces were entirely deserving of the win - I nominated one, so I am not just saying that.
Larry's was formed and witty indeed - again, another deserving winner.
We are all lucky to have a weekly contest at all. My point is ultimately, if you don't like it, don't nominate or participate in the CONGRATULATION thread. I'm sorry, but it is bad taste indeed.
All the best everyone,
Ben

First: I am allowed to practicing my freedom of speech.
Second: I am not talking about you dear. This site the way it is, is exactly your pond, I notice that. You love everything about it. You would never want to change anything to better ( maybe except some make up minor things)
I have fought for betterment in this site since 2003-4 now you are in few month to tell me how this site should be. But dear not everyone is like you, ( most perhaps)
Some may in the depth of their soul yarn for some clearer pond. We are different species you know and we all have different expectation of life.

The very fact that you refer to me as "dear" simply shows the opaqueness of your......clear pond.
Anyway, if I continue, I risk becoming my own worst enemy and contradicting my first comment about this thread. So take care everyone.
All the very best
Ben

:)

O yes that is it, you have found the solution.
all in our lives we looked for the one word solution. Why don't we look for something more complex to widen our horizons.
This method of argument is exhausted since ancient time: to find a flaw in someone's argument and then to deny it in its entirety. Though in your case you did not even do that , you assumed a flaw then pretended it as it was so. But were in civilized world, addressing your opponent DEAR, is considered opaqueness?
Isn't it courtesy, telling that even we are arguing we still can endear one another?

Edit

" 1. The Discussion Forums are supposed to be used for discussions, not to attack each other, or to make another member feel inferior."
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/terms.html

Thank you Larry the winning poems are well deserved
And Ben is right this is a congratulations thread. Don't ruin it with complaining. Do that somewhere else.
The judges do 3 months of reading all the nominated poetry. They should be thanked for the hard work they put in.
Sorry David please don't ruin this trying to start one of your debates you seem to get so much pleasure from.

I know he is right because you are from the same creek ,
I am the Patch Adams you all don't like.
I do not enjoy this at all. Actually I am going to stop this very soon. Not because the mediocre pile up against me hold any terror, Because THIS is incurable. That is why the good people always leave. I have my ticket in my hand
By the way if you think we should not disturb this thread why are you answering me?

I'm not from anyone's creek but my own. Mr.Patch Adamsl it was never said I don't like you. I think you could contribute a lot to the site if you did it in the right mannor

:) :)

Congratulations Anna and Larry and all other HMs.

I'd like to thank Ingrid and Adreamer for nominating my poetry.

Totally agree with Cindy, Gadfly I'm really looking forward to see you taking part in the poetry forums, you would add too much :)