Wow, this is incredible

First off, it was an honor being a judge for 2 terms straight, I'm very humbled that the moderators had enough faith and trust in me to handle that responsibility. Secondly, I want to thank Mark for compiling a list of all my comments to every poem I voted on, I'm too lazy to put them on the poems themselves, so here they are, look through them and see if you can make a case for biases, I don't really care, I did the best I could, week in and week out....Thanks again to the mods and all the judges for their hard work each and every week. Much respect.

Reminiscence...Ms. Sunshine.....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/misc/poems.php?id=1251198

nicely done, however I almost didn't vote for this because of the periods and comma's, poetry should flow, this didn't have stagnated thoughts but was running and you should have let it run, it's a terrific piece.....

Neglected spirits that roam
in your head
whenever provoked
by irrational sentiments.

^loved this, even though there was a time when thoughts like these would get you a trip to the looney bin, especially if you expressed them, great insertion, and was the "meat" for me....

Grain.....Karla....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/misc/poems.php?id=1251120

you have the potential to make this your signature poem, yes it's that good even as it stands but just a suggestion to make it even greater because it lacked the bang at the end where you changed strides and left the main theme.

we are one and you killed me too.
how many more deaths will be necessary
to bring life back to us?
we are grains:
new possibilities are hidden in the dark.
life will reinvent us
again.

But
we are small
we are afraid......

^it would have been great had you finished or incorporated your theme in this ending. Great job nonetheless, I love it, and you have something awesome here.

Shudder....Bozhidar Pangelov....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1251208

I don't know who this person is, but this is truly a delight, actually this is poetry at its finest.

"Hug your knees
and you will hear:
"The life given to us
we lived for different
reasons ..."

^I could have dwelt here for ages, I actually didn't want to leave this little literary island you built with the simplest of words. It made my day, thank you. Very well written.

I always go on about the moonlight....Darren...10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1251109

Usually these types of poems give me fits, the title itself lends credence to the fact the poem is going to be first person, therefore all the "I's" throughout weren't necessary and actually took away from the quality of the poem itself

I never land

^never landing would have sufficed, same thing throughout, but still it was an awesome read, great work.

picture perfect.....naughtymouse....7
http://www.best-love-poems.com/poems.php?id=1250991

a poem dedicated to feeling grateful for finding that special someone. Well written and message beautifully conveyed.

Sisters of the sky....Meena Krish.....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/nature/poems.php?id=1250977

this author never disappoints, when she posts something, you know it's going to be great. Powerful, mythical, and seductive.

Being a tree.....Darren....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/nature/poems.php?id=1250941

the very things we wrote our soul upon, we take for granted, the very boards that build out refuge, the very horrific uses as seen in the passage below. Our tainted history

yet now;

I have no eyes to unsee
the man hanging from me
the tear stained rope
the grimace
the fall
the tautness
the end
violating me

this poem was filled with many personal journeys many have witnessed over the years. it's message delivered exquisitely. Well done!

In the hands of a poet....everlasting....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/misc/poems.php?id=1250959

I was beaten within an inch of my life on a few occasions as a child, I've seen heads severed, seen people shot over a basketball game, stabbed to death over a pack of cigarettes, so very few things affect me emotionally, however I cried like a little baby reading this......and in all honesty I'm not flattered by the format, the style nor the simplicity, I am however in awe of the overall presentation and the deliverance. This is the type of poetry that grips you and holds you captive, it plays on every emotion within you, makes you hold your breath and tears accompany the exhale. Outstanding!

The Balcony.....Ben Pickard .....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1250946

some people need to be drunk to enjoy each others company. cheap wine will do it everytime ,Lol, I liked this fancy free recollection of a love. Very entertaining.

i have nothing now i stand on it alone

^i would have loved to seen this read "I have nothing now, standing alone"

Poetic contradiction....Ben "Aflac" Pickard....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1250856

I have been waiting for something like this from this writer for sometime now, I knew it was within him, and he finally delivered, this is definitely one of the best pieces he has ever assembled... I call him "Aflac" because like the insurance, he eventually pays off.

Why apply makeup to a monster?

Does it make it any less real because the lightning
strikes a barren desert?

^the simplest of questions provide the deepest of thoughts, this write was monstrous and filled with lightning......terrific piece

My African Story 1.....Po Whet....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/special/poems.php?id=1250851

even this authors pen name is a metaphor. This piece was very educational to say the least, it shows how we are groomed to fit in the world by those who expose us to such things, but we often times put ourselves in our own desired place, right or wrong, this was definitely right, and very intriguing. Great piece

A study in punctuation.....Thomas...4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/misc/poems.php?id=1250884

very unique, and the title gave me fits until the tail end.......Flawless!

Everything"holy"....dark and dangerous...10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1250773

Just wow, a breakdown of religion at its finest, that thing people cling to, that has been more responsible for hatred and senseless killing than anything known to man. Segregating and dividing us all by the premise of false righteousness. Writings like this are seldom accepted with favor, course the truth usually isn't. Very well done.

People watchers.....Larry Chamberlain.....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1250682

the balance of this is amazing, the hustle and bustle of the world flowing through ones eyes. The potential mates line was a nice touch. Very nice

Hatred....Darklight.....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/misc/poems.php?id=1250646

I liked it last week, and even more this week, its simplicity and message is still front page worthy. Such a simple way to rid ones self of hatred. Enjoyed

In my Mind's eye......Brenda....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1250649

we can be anything we want to be, either in reality or in fantasy, one of the most powerful tools a human has is an imagination, people sometimes forget, this is the very thing that has created the world we now live it, if you can imagine it, it can be done, loved the contrast of this piece, simple but powerful and entertaining.

Black Curse....GB.....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1250600

the ending caught me off guard, while the beginning set me up for it, nicely done, this could have went so many ways, but the intrigue made it what it was.....wnjoyed

Hatred....Darklight.....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/misc/poems.php?id=1250646

profound, less is oft times best, this hit home, the metaphor sound, the message clear, let the hatred cascade off of you with every shower.

The Magic of a Maple Tree.....Ben Pickard.....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/nature/poems.php?id=1250430

My jocund spirit too was then denounced

^don't know if you were inferring to being witty or happy, but it works either way, I thought the poem was divine , despite the dedication....I'm joking, then again....awesome sonnet.

I don't need you like before.....Em....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1250436

the one of the nightmares you held,
where you painted my body black and blue.

I often thought of you when I left, wondered
if I could have helped your violent attacks
but then it dawned on me that no matter what
I'd have done, you'd still overreact.

Once, I loved you but now...
now I hate your mere existence

^if this were written just a tad better it would have been my top selection, but it's really hard writing things that involve raw emotion, even harder when you've experienced the downside of it. I talk to many kids about these things daily, and people have no idea what domestic violence does to their young minds. Thanks for sharing.....

Paper Relationship...Darklight....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1250260

short but strong, a relationship that has done many well....I really enjoyed this, now you need to go make love to that paper with your pen.....Insightful write.

Deadly Flora......by Brenda.....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/nature/poems.php?id=1250300

what a write, not only can these warning signs apply to nature , but many other facets of life as well...I enjoyed reading this and appreciate the effort and research you had to have put into it. Written very well too:)

Knowlton Church.....angelaluisacory....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1250305

sometimes even alleged haunted places can bring out the best within us, this was a perfect tribute to such a place, I love going to such places and getting in touch with my inner soul, nicely done.

this splendid tragedy.....louis a ranero....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/dark/poems.php?id=1250230

terrific piece, I equate it to a front running presidential candidacy, and the circus surrounding it, if only the ending as you've depicted it could come sooner......much enjoyed.

Life's complexities......William Mae....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1250127

ah that eternal question this poses, if the finality is indeed death, then we have lived for naught......reveling write

melted concrete....Ben Pickard....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/nature/poems.php?id=1249927

before there was concrete, there were paths, dirt roads created by use after use, before there were skyscrapers, there were fields running into fields, woods upon woods, there was real work, real morals, real principles, real character ....maybe we all need to get away for a spell, take a trip back to before.......delightful write.

This is me....Dagmar Wilson.....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/misc/poems.php?id=1250091

those beautiful roses, that bring such peace, joy, and wonderful smells, they can dress a room and light up a heart, and yet not even their thorns can protect them from being plucked, much like the children of the world.....for some reason I needed to read this today.......

Lost Boy....Ren....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1249917

sad that most would relate this poem to someone on heroin, "I'll fly away" type thing, and even sadder still is the need for us all to escape life...This poem had so much more within, so childlike and yet maternally mature......

Beware the air....Ben Pickard....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/dark/poems.php?id=1250005

must be a theme with me this week, everything seems to be relating to drug use, loved this , be careful what roads you travel down, the air is not always fresh and clean.....

Maybe next sunday...maple tree....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1249904

don't know why I liked this so much, maybe it's because everyday I awake I feel like I stole something, and every sunday is something to look forward to, but the wording and pictures portrayed were exquisite ......

The Cockatrice and the Pharaoh's Barge.....Larry Chamberlain.....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1249863

a history's buff dream, it's content lost on those who never paid attention in class, slavery depicted at its ugliest....Terrific write

our mourning....Narph.....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/misc/poems.php?id=1249724

to take playdough and have such deep thoughts is a challenge in of itself, but to make those very thoughts as profound as this author has done is remarkable, the lines in the palms was a great touch, especially all that has been written about what those lines truly say about a person.......great job.....

Anxiety.....Rob...4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1249764

the author kept it simple and captured the emotional and mental anguish that one endures from anxiety, at some point in our lives we will all be able to relate to this, I know I do daily....good job

Watch and See.....Dagmar Wilson....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1249673

very impressive , knock me down, but I'll get back up with a vengeance write,

My illness does not require rubber gloves.

^loved this line.....terrific piece.

A loving thirst .....Ben Pickard.....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1249493

many quotes of wisdom within, and loved the slant rhyming.....great job

Life of the party....Mayday....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/dark/poems.php?id=1249586

enjoyed this epic tale, would have like to seen in formatted differently, but the story was great and the ending superb....nice

A night with a homeless man....moe.....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1249456

a very real problem that few care about or depict as well as this write did, we see it daily , but have become oblivious to it, without understanding that all of us could eventually end up there, I wonder, will we care then, or just wait for the sun to shine.......beautifully written, enjoyed

Locked in....Darren.......7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1249445

"sitting by a shimmering lake
an image reflected half my age
children laughing over yonder
years of ideas strolling by
peace handing me a menu
choices dancing before my eyes"

^how many of us sat by the calming waters looking for answers, solutions to troubling time, you captured it perfectly here, the ending stanza stopped me from giving this a ten, I felt it could have been worded a lot better , (the previous myself) awesome write though

Every breath you take....Mr. Darcy.....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1249425

this actually brought tears to my eyes this morning. When I awoke I had a message that a good friend of mine lost his battle early in the am, and a few months ago another dear woman I knew suffered the same fate. Both were described wonderfully in this short but very powerful write, it's not how many words you use, it's how powerful the message is. Thank you....

wake up......poetess.....10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1249308

loved how this author portrayed herself as the same individual she is referring to.......A lost love, a relationship of hurt and pain, a yearning of wanting to communicate to said likeness.......a truly magnificent piece.

Keep sailing....7 ....Ben Picard
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1249340

I struggled immensely with the 3 line, (second stanza), and the constant reference to first person, but even still, few can write an English sonnet like Ben....Terrific job.

Pendulum Swings in the Darkness....Rob....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/dark/poems.php?id=1249352

what a great dark , morbid write, I thought I was reading a scene from the walking dead or something....I'm still hiding under the covers, shivering......nicely done

A Yearning ....Satish Verma......10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/nature/poems.php?id=1249093

The hired untruths
are killing the tender doubts.
No body wants to look back
at the subscribers of violence

(no body), don't know if this was meant to be nobody, or no body, but either way this carried the entire poem and is very significant of what is going on today with the hatred throughout our societies predicated mostly upon past deeds more so then the ones being done now.....I loved how the poem ended with hope, peace and tranquility, we should always have hope.......terrific job

Lost Moments....Milly Hayward.....7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1249191

Self reflective poems are very hard to write with any substance that engrosses an audience unless they can fully relate to it, and I think everyone can relate to this from beginning to end, I embrace my memories, they are what makes me who I am now, and hopefully they will never become "lost moments" erased by loss of memory....truly a remarkable piece with a flowing rhyme scheme.....

Visions behind the veil .......Kireasha L.......4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1249257

I simply adored this, I've never had a problem with the head garment ( hijab) that many muslim women wear, because the eyes have always been the mirror of the soul, this is loaded with compassion and a need to help others understand that the clothes don't make the soul, and you should fear that which is unknown to you......thank you for this piece

Robert.....Larry "the godfather" chamberlain........10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1249079

One of the deepest poems I've ever read from this Author, captivating to the very end, it's funny how we hold on to people, places, and things that most would feel insignificant and yet deep down they've never lost their appeal.....Terrific piece.......

Truce....Nourayasmine........7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1249117

Wow, so many profound words describing man's lust for war, telling our history throughout time and yet even more prevalent now........When will it end, when will we understand what we are really doing to each other, when will we see that the very freedoms we allegedly fight for we are destroying by condoning violence towards our fellow man......a great write.......

Red Giant (we)...........Mnemosyne........4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/misc/poems.php?id=1249120

we splayed the truth
in poppy fields
fertilizing vowels
with systemic secrets
in soiled beds

I don't even get high and I understood this, well it helps that I never was in my right mind to begin with, but what a profound metaphor, as was the entire poem throughout......It's amazing what "we" are capable of........awesome job

Kata......Silvershoes.......10
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/misc/poems.php?id=1248820

Many hidden metaphors within, but those who have been there read it loud and clear, I like how you "struggled" putting this together, the emotion was quite evident in your words......excellent piece to the right audience.......

Six little rocks.....Maple Tree......7
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/sad/poems.php?id=1248941

Those ignorant moments become poems
and I don't feel like wasting my ink
on things that people will never understand

^many times we write to share, to heal and to relate....sometimes we question our efforts and yet the solace of poetry oft times is all we have.......great expression in this, I wonder if the six rocks are a symbol of harrowing life experiences......nicely done

Goodbye....Ben Pickard.....4
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1248867

She's in good company today with the passing of Nancy Reagan as well......Cindy was definitely a mainstay here at P and Q and will be missed, I take solace that she no longer has to suffer any more and finally she is at peace, that very thing she craved in her writings, very nice sentiment........

Pretty awesome for Mark to do this!!

Thanks for all your hard work, Bob. We appreciate all the work you and the other judges did. Some weeks were so hard!

This is great Mark, I appreciate this as one of the recent judges.

Thanks for your comments Bob

Interesting and diverse, glad to hear your thoughts regarding the new member "Bozhidar Pangelov", great job, Bob. Thanks for collecting the comments Mark.

Thank you for the comments Bob and Darren....

I also did two terms....and I want to thank mark for gathering all the comments for us, what a nice gift!

Mark, you are like Santa, and it's not even Christmas. How do you do it?

Mr. Bob, nice job. ( Oh Bob and job are words that rhyme. cool )

Thanks for the comments.

Bob, Maple, Darren - sincerest thanks.

Job well done guys :)

Very well done indeed