Weekly Contest Winners - April 2, 2018!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, whether your days were filled with Easter joy, family or simply peace... it's hard to believe we are already moving into April! Congrats to the winners and all the HM's! Quite a few emotional poems this week with Mark's "disenfranchised" and Jane's tribute to the memory of her beloved cat in "Betrayal". I would also like to add that although three mods have their poems highlighted, not one of the mods voted for any poems this week. We had all 5 judges turn in comments and votes. Thank you to the judges for your continued time and dedication.

Have a great start to the week!

~MaryAnne

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WINNERS:

“disenfranchised.” by hiraeth 10 + 10 = 20 points

“Betrayal” by: silvershoes 7 + 7 + 4 = 18 points

“A freewrite for nobody.” by: Poet on the Piano 10 + 7 = 17 points

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COMMENTS:

“disenfranchised.” by hiraeth

“The poem is from another world, it's so fresh, it's always fresh in fact.

There is so much beauty to every single line, I'm in love with the visuals, with the metaphors, with the wording, with the whole piece. It's very professional, not a hobby-poem. For sure this is the best poem for this week for me, it got stuck in my head. Very deep and thought-provoking; I am sure every reader saw it from a different angle.

Well done, epic writing.” (10)

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“Each time I have read this it's left me breathless so I read it again and again I'm breathless so what I'm trying to say is that this piece is extremely breathtakingly beautiful and somewhat saddening as I imagine a friend trying to tend to their friends broken heart, possibly? The imagery here is fantastically done.” (10)

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“Betrayal” by: silvershoes

“This is a powerful, saddening and thought provoking piece. With the title, at first, I thought this was possibly about a relationship being betrayed whether it be a friendship, a loving relationship or a family relationship then I read on come to realise it is in fact about a furry friend relationship and how we can move on when one of our pets dies yet we feel guilty for doing so as we know no other pet will come close to the previous one especially if it's our first pet….they are part of the family afterall. An interesting write.” (7)

- - - - - - - - -

“What a heart-breaking piece. Not the typical sad pieces, but that which comes knitted between the lines. I am in love with the poem's writing style. Although it's really painful to imagine the scene, but it was so vivid and so real, it touched me deeply. The title is bitter and reflects the pain
of being detached from what's dear to our heart.” (7)

- - - - - - - -

“A moving opening line for a vivid and raw real life scenery. A pet owner who's stuck in past memories, being triggered by the smallest of details, and sensing a feeling of betrayal deep down for things that won't come back, even with new bonds. But "what is dead may never die", Jane. Excellent.” (4)

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“A freewrite for nobody.” by: Poet on the Piano

“Maryanne slams again with a deep piece of poetry in which hope and anger intertwine to stir the unspoken. About a nation sinking silently in its own deeds, and a struggle to sow optimism in arid minds. Each line is a seed for an independent poem, and there's not a single word that falls out of place, out of pace. (A suggestion: 'them' instead of they in the 1st sentence). Kudos to the poet.” (10)

- - - - - - - - - -

“Again I come across, such an intriguing title. A title that the author immediately states, this is not for anyone in particular, on the contrary it is written about ‘all’ everyone. A poem that shows sort of with a demographic feel. Words used such as “ my friends” “us” “their” all relate to someone, but the author cleverly penned this with no specific person, so the title reads very well for their story.

I so enjoyed the layout and the author uses such simple language here to convey their message, The author takes me through the struggles of society, which also says something about the author themselves. I sense they have such passion for peace, with an unilateral way of thinking, as they speak of their “nation” in particular which I also sense, reflects their patriotism. The author need not go into great detail, however what they have written tells me enough (as I am sure many of us) there is so much more to life than “war” and power, however the real saddening picture is that all is inevitable in regards to corruption, governments -rules and sanctions, that bleed their nation with power and control. I could go on. I very much enjoyed reading this piece, and what I enjoyed the most is a their passion for a want of something better! Well done.” (7)

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HM’S:

“Diary Of A Serial Killer” by Ben Pickard = 10 points

“Playing with fire” (Syntuit) by: Mr Darcy = 10 points

“How Stupid” by: CJ Maleney & Chatterbox909sphinx = 7 points

“A Dying Spring” by: Maple Tree = 7 points

“In Yonder Meadow (Rondeau)” by: Hellon = 4 points

“Night Stalker” by: CJ Maleney = 4 points

“She Waits For The Rainbow” by: C Cattaway = 4 points

“Staying sober” by: Jamie = 4 points

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COMMENTS:

“Diary Of A Serial Killer” by Ben Pickard

“Judging by the amount of crime channels and programmes available to watch, a great many of us have a morbid fascination with serial killers. Ben has transported us into the mind of such a person at the start of their ‘killing spree’ with his sickeningly vivid descriptions of the addictive joy of killing and enjoying necrophilic activities with the victim. The poem flows like the blood depicted within and the read is horrifying and captivating all at once. I admire anyone willing and able to go there in their mind and spin such an intense tale.” (10)

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“Playing with fire” (Syntuit) by: Mr Darcy

“While there are so many wonderful and well written poems I read through, it is rare to see more short ‘styled’ poems with an acclaim for their worth and meaning. This really stood out to me, and grabbed my heart!

This short piece that the author has written, holds so much of a story beyond. The author has sighted a video of a an ’11 year old’ boy who jumps from a blazing window, and the very sad news that his parents perished in the fire. The fact that the author has put this into such little words, the meaning has such a huge impact. The first word “Dreaming” as if the author can feel this young boy – falling unconsciously, however his vision is that of “family and friends, waving him goodbye” as the inevitable story unfolds.
Certainly a video, I would find harrowing to watch, and just the way the author uses such wording, as it is ironically an easy read. I then read the ‘article’ of where the author takes their inspiration, and wham! No words can really describe, apart from the author. How they paint such a ‘gentle’ tone with such tragedy. Very good indeed, albeit such a story of sadness and grief!” (10)

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“How Stupid” By CJ Maleney & Chatterbox909sphinx

“This double treat of family banter made me smile inside and out. It’s like a snapshot of a moment in time, that’s so familiar to so many of us. Each easily rhymed poem is expressed by both father and daughter in a warm, faux-disparaging tone, that just can’t conceal the obvious love and affection shared. Sweet and amusing in equal measures.” (7)

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“A Dying Spring” by: Maple Tree

“Herein, the poet beautifies sadness with a soft tone that cannot but allure you to read the piece more than once. A great start and a surprising end. "If I write about her daily, she will continue to breathe." This line but rings in one's head. I hope Spring thrives in you, Andrea.” (7)

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“In Yonder Meadow (Rondeau)” by: Hellon

“This poem is so joyous and so real. I admired it genuinely. It sounds more like written in a past century, old style and flawless. I admired the pace, inner rhyme, word choice, and images. I was also fond of how a poem of such a form did not sound forced at all, not one bit. One of the best rhyming poems I've read lately. In love with it. The closing stanza was nailed. Well done!” (4)

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“Night Stalker” by: CJ Maleney

“A very clever piece which got thinking and I came to the conclusion it was about people “night stalking” here on PnQ.” (4)

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“She Waits For The Rainbow” by: C Cattaway

“A beautifully rhymed poem by Catherine that made me sigh. This unassuming, forgiving woman who gives her all to love, waits patiently for the hard times of the relationship to pass (the storms) while she waits for her happy ending (the rainbow). The metaphors are used wonderfully throughout and I’m left hoping that the object of her affection realises how very lucky they are to have this woman that’s worth all of the gold at the end of the rainbow.” (4)

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“Staying sober” by: Jamie

“The title is one that has a ‘commonplace’ with many I’m sure. The fact that ‘sober’ relates to alcohol, isn’t always the case, as “staying sober” actually means any form of an addiction. So until I read this I didn’t know where the author was going, and yes it is about the battles with alcohol. The author pens their true reflection, of this battle. “crying” no doubt of the damning issues, then “two hours later” back to it! The pretense in which the author paints of how life is and the repetitive feelings of loneliness, and the aftermath of similar surroundings as with ’addiction’ I sense.

A powerful and honest piece, that has an all too raw truth about the struggles with one’s life. I thank the author for sharing this, which is what makes it a solid read, not easy.” (4)

Thanks judge for the comment and for andrea for nominating my poem.

A big thank you to the judges, especially the one who left me a wonderful comment. Also, thanks to everyone involved in this weekly contest and congrats to all winners and fellow, HM's.

Congratulations to everyone who has been highlighted this week; a genuine thank you to the judges and the judge who deemed my poem worthy of their 10 points.

All the best

Hi All :)

Congratulations to all the front page poets, and all HMs awarded.

To all judges and Mods for their time, as always to make the competition happen

To Ben and Craig for my nominations

Much love
Michael :)

Congratulations to all the front page winners and HM's! Thank you judges for making the hard choices and Mary Anne for hosting.

Congrats to the front pagers and the those honorably mentioned. Thanks judges (no sub-judges needed this week!). Thanks, MaryAnne for posting.

Congratulations to our front page winners, the HM's and the nominated ones.

Thanks to judges and moderators for all their support and love towards all of us.

I say sorry for not giving any comments on the poems I nominated last week.

Thanks to marryanne for hosting and congratulations to her too for winning this week.

Let's cheer up together for our moderators on their perfect win.

Love you all!

congratulations to everyone mentioned, and thank you judges, moderators and fellow poets for all the effort.

Thank you judges once again for giving your time this week. Thanks to our pnq mods for providing us with best. Congrts everyone!
Thanks to my dear pnq friends for loving my poems so much.

I've always wondered why formed poetry doesn't do well on this site..it never really has and, it quite saddens me that members who put the extra yards in are often overlooked.

Ok..for those thinking this is 'sour grapes' well...I'm going to say...my poem "In Yonder Meadow" was a challenge coming from Nanna's thread and instigated by Luce so..I think I did an ok job with it...I'm not challenging the three winners here but, there is at least one poem that scored higher than mine that I do believe shouldn't have. Also, when I read the judge's comment I was quite happy until I read the words 'internal rhyme'...it's a rondeau..there is no internal rhyme so, now I'm totally confused...I did leave an explanation to the form...

A Rondeau is a French form, 15 lines long, consisting of three stanzas: a quintet, a quatrain, and a sestet with a rhyme scheme as follows: aabba aabR aabbaR. Lines 9 and 15 are short - a refrain (R) consisting of a phrase taken from line one. The other lines are longer (but all of the same metrical length).

Congratulations to all front pages and HMs

Hellon, I do agree, as I obviously would, to an extent. I was having a conversation with a well respected member of this site about formed poetry and so much of it is so hard, not only to do properly but to execute well. We both also agreed that when anyone writes a sonnet with the correct syllable count/rhyme scheme it should almost be an automatic win - they really are that technical and hard to write. This is not me telling the judges to vote for my endless stream of sonnets but I have been constantly amazed that they (from lots of other members too) are so frequently overlooked.
There's two issues here and one certainly has been covered before. Art is subjective, absolutely. Some people don't like sonnets and so, it doesn't matter how good one is, I cannot necessarily expect a judge to vote for it if they hate the form. Secondly, and perhaps more controversially, there is a certain amount of ignorance surrounding formed poetry - not just on this site - but amongst poets in general. That includes me, by the way. I still have so much to learn and if someone asked me to judge a formed poetry contest, I would be unable. There aren't too many on here that I would think could. Hellon, you are one, Michael (Mr Darcy) Larry, Meena and a few others all excel and are far more apt than I would be. My point is, I suppose people do their best with the knowledge and tastes they have and I'm not really sure there can be any other way.
Hellon - I do understand your frustrations, though, and as above, I do agree to an extent. I just don't see a way around it.

Ben

*edit - I have to be honest and say I find it incredible that only one judge saw fit to award Hellon's poem (4). I certainly would have given it my (10). Again, though, that is only my opinion.

It also would have gotten my 10, or at the very least my 7.

The weekly contest is always going to be controversial. Always has, always will be. I for one am pleased that the judges offer their time and opinion week after week. There opinion, like our abilities as writers are varied, and are on the whole, respected.

So, okay formed poetry is not always admired for its complexity and content. Perhaps it should? PnQ is an amateur poetry site, running on the good will of its members and I am sure the judges do what they think is best, bearing in mind they are, like us, still learning.

What we do have here is, a weekly ray of hope that we all look forward to and many of us write for. After all, is this not one of the main things that helpskeep this site from flatlining?

On the whole, I do agree, Michael. I'm sure everyone is offering their best, in terms of insight and time given to all the nominations. The simple fact is, because of the subjective nature of any art, the weekly will always be controversial, as you say.I suppose as long as discussion stays constructive and questions are asked constructively, it is healthy. But all judges, always, should be thanked for their time which is, after all, given freely. But when you you write a poem that you know, deep down, is damn good and it isn't recognised for whatever reason, it is only human to be a little frustrated, and that must be understood too.

I am sure we all have written, what we consider laureate standard poetry, I know I have? lol We wait with baited breath for the contest results, just to be disappointed. Conversely, we scribble out a nonsensical poem and voila, a winner! That is precisely, why the weekly 'show' keeps us on our toes Hey, that rhymes, maybe I'll submit it? :P

I definitively agree that formed poetry is often overlooked or ignored therefore underappreciated... and this is coming from someone who can't rhyme without others cringing to save her life lol.

On the other hand, I find it ironically hilarious to say that a good sonnet should almost automatically take a win. No matter how brilliant it may be (I know I can't write a decent sonnet nor do I want to try, it's just not me) that does not mean it should be the only factor to a win. That would be akin to saying a tribute to such-and-such person should automatically be praised since it was a tribute to that person's life or memory and by golly, how could you not love it for that reason?

You don't get to say that and still turn around and defend art or poetry as subjective because those statements are contrary to each other.

If people want to learn, that's awesome. It's also okay if a poet doesn't want to learn other forms. That doesn't make them any less qualified or any less "established" as a poet. Asking for recognition then being disappointed if not spotlighted isn't a part of human nature IMO. If you write a good poem, kudos. It literally changes nothing if someone decides to appreciate it or not. Sure, it may feel good on the inside if they at least read your work and understand how much it means to you. Affirmation is necessary and good; admiration, however, is not a necessity to keep us going. To me it taints our ability and honesty of writing if we wait to be recognized... why live like that?

why have the weekly contest then? Is it not just admiration?

I did not expect to win nor think my poem worthy. Like all of my poems written about Milo, it is a poem from and for my own heart. That others appreciate my Milo poems is wonderfully touching. It's true that others might choose these poems empathetically rather than objectively. I am not a very good poet, and so it is probably not a very good poem when looking at its structural or creative integrity, but the judges cannot be expected to judge objectively because that is truthfully impossible. There is no rule book for what makes a good poem, or even for what makes a poem, period. "I know it when I read it" is the best most of us can manage.
Regarding formed poetry: I have never had the patience for "honing my craft," and this includes practicing or learning formed poetry. However, I enjoy reading a good formed poem, and I frequently cast votes for formed poetry when I sub judge. So do not think that because someone writes purely free verse, they only appreciate reading free verse.

Before I spend more time rambling, let me thank the lovely judges who did or did not vote on my poem. Thank you also to those who write poems every week, nominate, and comment. Thank you to MA, our host. Congratulations to the other winners and honorable mentions.

Firstly before I start an argument I would like to congratulate all of the winners, and give thanks to the judges for giving up their time.

I appreciate everyone has an opinion and point of view with poetry, however if poetry is to remain an art form then one type of poetry cannot trump or be king.
It's like saying oil painting is better than watercolour or acrylic pieces.
I am not a fan of sonnets, however I like forms.
Back in the day when I was writing prolifically I would write many formed poems and many free verse. I always felt forms were restrictive, painting by numbers for poets. So I would mix them up, combine forms. Trying to shake off the shackles.
Did it make these poems worthy to sit top of the pile? No.
A winning poem should only be judged on its own merit, a free verse or rhyming poem, a sonnet or palindrome can all be great, or can all be terrible.
I have read on here some haiku's that were amazing.
I have also read some sonnets that were bland.
This is only my opinion, as a fan of poetry not as a poet.

If a judge feels that a poem is worthy of 10 points that's up to them. They are not going to give a poem top marks if they didn't like it.
To say that a poem should be awarded more points because it is better than another is still only an opinion, that may differ from a judges.

rambling out.

Congratulations Winners and HM's!!

Thank you judges for your time and effort and thank you
for hosting MA :)

Some people don't like sonnets and so, it doesn't matter how good one is, I cannot necessarily expect a judge to vote for it if they hate the form.
^^

MA - why did you ignore this part of my comment?
Whatever opinion I gave about sonnets and the weekly is only MY OPINION, and that too is perfectly acceptable. I said throughout the whole comment that people have their own ideas and aren't obliged to vote for anything they don't like so why pick out that particular point? I feel, in general, that was a rather moderate post that tried to understand and see both view points so why do you enter the thread with comments like 'you don't get to say'. It's beginning to feel a little personal so all I would say to stop another weekly thread sliding downhill is that - if there is an issue - pm me and we can have it out in private.
Art is subjective - people have their own ideas and opinions. I am allowed one too, as long as I understand others have theirs. I think I have tried to do that throughout this thread.

You don't get to say that and still turn around and defend art or poetry as subjective because those statements are contrary to each other.
^^

*edit I have come back to this as I was genuinely angry at MA's post. I am not the only one that has voiced an opinion on this thread, and I have certainly tried to be balanced and see both sides but ask, in honesty, is this a moderate thing for a moderator to post considering the past few weeks and my particular past with her. I just wonder if I had complained that my poem wasn't given enough points whether that would have been ignored by her? Instead, I am singled when I am trying to be constructive and balanced.
I am aware I am fast becoming the villain of the piece to some people, and I'm sure a certain amount will band together and attack me again, but I never once said a thing on this thread that was argumentative - on the contrary, I constantly highlighted people's right to have an opinion and that includes mine, on sonnets or anything else - but it is only my opinion.
I feel people should be welcomed on the main boards and their own opinions considered in a mature fashion without being ridiculed by a moderator and made to feel like everything they post is always going to descend into something nasty.

If people want to learn, that's awesome. It's also okay if a poet doesn't want to learn other forms. That doesn't make them any less qualified or any less "established" as a poet
^^^

I'm sorry MA but I have to disagree. Some people are happy to stay in their comfort zone and that's fine but it also confines them in their knowledge regardless of whether it's poetry or some other genre. And, if they choose to do so then it does make them less qualified to acknowledge forms that they are not familiar with so, therefore, ignore.

First, when MA used the term “you don’t get to” it should have been obvious that she was only making a logical conclusion, as in “if you want ‘a’ you can’t also want diametrically opposed ‘b.’”
She most certainly was not making any threat, veiled or otherwise.

Second, argument and controversy is the source of learning, such as the Socratic Argument or the Facebook Controversy. They lose their value when we take another person’s opinion as an assault. You’re not only entitled to your opinion, but also others do not have to agree with you for your own to be valid.

Larry, just stop. Long words and clever rhetoric don't make what is happening on this thread any less obvious and you coming out in support of MA is no surprise at all. She clearly has demeaned my opinion by use of words like 'hilarious' and 'you don't get to.' I have no issue - whatever - with people disagreeing with me but there is a way to go about it. A number of senior members have messaged me in agreement. I am not at fault here and MA's post was a snipe.
The more I get to know this place, the more I agree that ddavidd was often right. There is a little pack that never find fault with each other and never let go when they decide to attack a fellow member. 'I find it ironically laughable' is a complete degradation of someone's opinion and leaves no room at all for your supposed democracy.
You are not being clever; you are covering what is painfully obvious to so many people here (believe me) with ideas and philosophies that in no way are being displayed on this thread.

Let me make this clear again. I have no problem with people disagreeing with me at any time. I have a problem when I am sniped at, ridiculed - 'I find hilarious' - and singled out generally.

Mods - get your act together and start treating these threads with the balance your station demands

Ben, stop escalating!

Okay, Larry - a very...predictable answer. I'm sure you mentioned something about arguments and controversy being a 'source of learning' or some such...

Only when it suits, perhaps.

Sorry, but I have to back Ben here. I have been personally attacked on the site as well. Not getting into details or naming names. They know who they are, and if they don't it only confirms my personal opinion of them.

^ This

Seriously. Read my last poem, "Letter from my Notebook." Writing is my safe place. The voice to voice the things I can't say. Where I rant, vent, confess. That is true for a lot of people who come here, the mudslinging needs to stop. This site is supposed to be a place of sharing, at least that's what it was 10 years ago when I first joined.

Same Tony. A lot more people were willing to comment too. This is a poetry site not Facebook

Rereading my post, I realize how unbalanced and unfair it was. I did not mean to come across as personally accusing anybody. Ben, I truly AM sorry for singling you out and making it seem like I was mocking you in my response. That was not my intent. I should not have said certain phrases like "ironically hilarious" and "you don't get to" that sound hostile or threatening. My tone can sometimes be sarcastic and I shouldn't have brought that to the main forums....

All this site has become is a popularity contest. Especially the weekly.

MA - thank you. It's forgotten entirely as far as I am concerned.
And I apologise for any antagonism between us in the past, which I was certainly responsible for to an extent.

All the very best,

Ben

*I would personally ask that we all leave it there and move on.

With regard to the original issue brought up by Hellon and elaborated by Ben, the judge in question asks for this opinion to be posted:

Reply to the weekly contest inquiries;

First of all, in regard to Hellon's post; there is a misunderstanding and I will take the responsibility for choosing an inaccurate technical word while expressing my praise of the poem; when I said "internal rhyme" I was not referring to the Internal/End rhymes at all- but rather to the "melody" between the lines which I personally heard in my head while reading the poem. I will make sure to choose my words more carefully next time.

As for formed poetry, rhyming poems, personal poems, "I am not a good poet" poems etc, (quoting Jane) and what others have said; as someone who is voting for the weekly contest at the moment I would like to say the following:

Yes, poetry is subjective, and a formed poem is no different than a free verse or a rhyming piece for me. Who would call me ignorant or unprofessional for choosing Maya Angelou's "I rise" over Shakspeare's Sonnet?

I am not a friend of Silvershoes and I do not know Milo, neither did I follow up with her on Milo's journey, so describing my choice of voting for this poem as being "empathetic" is something I deny. I voted for both poems, Jane's and Hellon's - and as a reader "the tip of his tail has submerged itself in the water’s warmth" gave me goosebumps while "In yonder meadow flowers bloom cascading colours and sweet perfume" made me smile.

Both held sentiments and, yet, the poem which left a deeper impact was the one I chose for a higher vote. That was not being sympathetic, poems mourning loved ones were posted before but that was not a good reason for me to choose them. Should I choose a Rondeau over a free verse because the poet learned a new form and wrote it successfully ? Maybe..maybe not.

Every person has their own "best criteria." some would look at the form, while for me (it's cliche I admit), I do not choose poems at all, poems choose me. I have the right to feel that "disenfranchised" had no competitor this week, regardless of a successfully written Rondeau, because I thought disenfranchised was mindblowing and much deeper than the rest of the poems nominated, in my own preference.

We're voting for a short term, this is not a fixed job, whoever feels that formed poetry is disregarded, please come forward next term and give formed poetry their right. Whoever says, no, who am I to judge poems? Should not judge those who are making their choices either. And no, I am not saying we can't complain, I am just saying we should not misjudge others and make assumptions that they are making their choices ignorantly or out of being biased. It's a bit unfair.

To the winners and H'Ms, Congrats <3 . Sorry Jane for your loss :( very sad poem </3

Hellon that poem is nailed, I would have been frustrated too if I wrote a poem like it and did not see a win tag beside it. I would :D for real.

But I think the problem is that there aren't so many formed poetry that get posted overall. I would love to start learning some forms.

As to the judge replying to the thread, although I Rise is one of the greatest poems written, and one of my favorites too but I don't think comparing I Rise to Shakespeare's poem serves your message. I don't know I think they fall under different categories..but maybe that's what you meant?

Anyway I think all the poems written are front page worthy, hard feelings ruin the whole concept behind poetry. Love each other or I will go run a new challenge thread :]

My point is, I suppose people do their best with the knowledge and tastes they have and I'm not really sure there can be any other way.

^^

something I wrote earlier which I stand by, especially the 'tastes' part. Some have the knowledge, but dislike forms anyway - really it's all about tastes.

To the judge, I agree with the vast majority of what you say. My original point, just to clarify, was that I find it (personally) a shame that formed poetry is not recognised more but I am fully aware that formed poetry full stop is not liked by everyone - if that is the case, why on earth would you vote for it, no matter how good it is.
Again, and maybe I should have made this clearer, I personally found it amazing that Hellon didn't win because I liked that piece so much - I am not chastising the judges for not voting for it. All I can do is feel the way I feel and I felt that should have been up there. But that is only my opinion.
As for the winners this week, there was not a single poem that didn't deserve it either - hell, I nominated Jane's, I think.
Words - formed or not - and poetic words in particular, are meant to move a reader, perhaps to the point they relate, but also to allow the writer an often important release. If it does those things, then you have a poem. The rest - be it a sonnet, free verse, senryu, haiku etc - is purely detail.

Take care and thank you to the judge.

* edit, I never once meant to imply the judges were ignorant - I said that there is ignorance surrounding formed poetry in general, myself included and that may be one reason. Or - and perhaps more often the case - it could be people don't like a poem and it didn't move them. Then, we come back to personal taste.

Can I just remind people that I was questioning the lack of attention formed poetry gets on this site in my original post. I also said I was not challenging any of the winners this week, I do believe they are all very worthy of their wins. When I said I thought one poem had scored higher than mine and I didn't think it should have, I was talking about the HMs, I think favouritism may have been a factor here.

When I read the comment from the judge I was just confused regarding the internal rhyme...I thought maybe it had been confused with another poem because, I understand the judges have many poems to read in any given week..I didn't mean it as a personal attack.

EDIT

Should I choose a Rondeau over a free verse because the poet learned a new form and wrote it successfully ?

^^^^^

This Rondeau, as I've said before, was in response to a challenge and is not the first one I've written.

Ben, you certainly did nominate my poem, and I thank you for that :)

Another judge has asked that their response be anonymously posted. Here is their response:

I would just like to give a comment in regard to judging poems for the weekly contest.

Being a judge is interesting, enjoyable, and also I get to read all the nominated poems. The reason for my message is that I am only an amateur poet like many and being a judge -- well that’s another ball-game (spoken from an amateur tongue).

Many of the poems I read each and every week are truly wonderful, diverse, and incredibly written. This makes the job for a judge really challenging and so difficult at times to pick three out of 35-40 poems a week. It really is no easy task, I assure you.

There are times I want to score at least 25 poets for their work, however, this is not the case, but reflects how I feel as a judge. For me being a judge, a poem just hits me, which doesn’t mean to say that it is the best one of the lot. It does come down to what a judge ‘feels’ when reading a poem, whether formed, free-verse, or rhymed. I have no particular preference to any style of poetry, but it is down to me what I read, as to what poet/poem I will award points.

As I said before, I am an amateur, and so is my judging. I would like to say that if any of the poets on PnQ ever take a term as a judge, they will see this for themselves. So while we take time to keep this competition alive, there will be questions over what poem seemed better than another, but remember this – every poem is just different, unique, and written by someone. Looking at it as, “Oh, that wasn’t worth those points” or “cant believe that won” (these are my words by the way, as an example) is not very graceful on a competition thread, as is bickering. If we want more members to come aboard, but they read some of the threads, it may be a little off-putting? I don’t know.

So a final note is just to say this is not about ‘Professionalism.’ It's about a weekly competition that runs due to the nature of poets that ‘volunteer’ their time for this to happen. There are many, many poetry competitions out there with prizes! For the more ones looking for winning with their poetry [sic]. I have only been here a very short while, and I do enjoy the website. Even in the professional world of performance and judging, there are always questions raised. Think of soccer, baseball games, etc., when a referee makes an erred judgement. Poor fellows!