Weekly Contest results, 25 February 2019

Changes mark renewal and at times they indicate a loss of something important. The seasons changing in Early Walks and Memories bring a return of sorrow to Michael while the same phenomenon germinates hope in Ben’s Summer Seed. In a tie breaker by the site we find that changes that did not occur, at least not dramatic mountain shattering changes, indicate the futility of a relationship in Ben’s other winning poem, Loved and tried .

Congratulations to the Front page winners:
Early walks and Memories by Michael Points: 10+10=20
Summer's seed by Ben Pickard Points: 7+4=11
Loved and tried by Ben Pickard Points: 10

And to the honorably mentioned as well:
Just be normal by Indigo Points: 10
Morning Prayers by Aegis Points: 10
Brood Nest by Aegis Points: 4+4=8
petrified leaves (syntuit) by Mr. Darcy Points: 7
Predisposition by Silvershoes Points: 7
Previous times by Em (marmite) Points: 7
Winter Soldier by Obscure Points: 7
Anxiety Attack by Chatterbox 909 Points: 4
Watch me dance by Dagmar Wilson Points: 4

Thank you judges. It really was a short term. A new line-up of judges starts next week. So far we have two who have stepped forward.

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Early walks and Memories by Michael Points: 10
This poem really brings that fresh warm feeling of Spring replacing those icy cold winter days. It has the feel of an artist painting a canvas, depicting nature at its best. A rustic nostalgic feeling of
walking through fields of corn, seeing daffodils and other Spring flowers. A scarecrow scaring black birds and the warmth of the sun rays encouraging new shoots of growth. Michael obviously has an affinity with nature and his love for it is infectious.

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Early walks and memories by Michael Points: 10
Michael's poem of spring awakening is truly lovely. His visuals made me feel as if I was walking alongside him, perhaps more ghost like in his solitary trek. I feel too although there was all this new growth budding his heart was missing someone who no longer was in his life. It is bittersweet, half of you is welcoming spring with the promise of a new start and the other half of you is being reminded of a loss, quite a quandary.

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Summer's seed by Ben Pickard Points: 7
Loved it!

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Summer's seed by Ben Pickard Points: 4
Ben's poem just flows. Each rhyming couplet was a pleasure to feel as well as read. Winter can be so hard on us fairer weather people. Short, cold, grey days do nothing for us. When the weather finally warms and we feel as if we are awakening from a long winter's nap. Ben described this perfectly and he does it with such skill. Truly a testament to the poet he is.

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Loved and tried by Ben Pickard Points: 10
Another great write!

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Just be normal by Indigo Points: 10
It is my pleasure to award this poem my 10 this week, not just because of the content, but because this young lady (a mere 16) is new to the site.
Bearing in mind her young age, she has written a scathing and altogether embarrassing rebuke to adults everywhere here and the damage we can do to the children/teenagers around us. So perhaps us 'grown-ups' should read this, remember how we felt at that age and then, perhaps, have a little more care with our words, because their impact can be profound and often negatively so.
Thank you for posting and a hearty welcome to the site.

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Morning Prayers by Aegis Points: 10
The scent of your words still lingering heavy on my fingers, and they are dancing recklessly on the tunes of my heart to give full 10 points to this endeavor of yours.

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Brood Nest by Aegis Points: 4
One of the nests can easily be found in my heart.

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Brood Nest by Aegis Points: 4
This talented man has a wonderful way with filling a page brimful of imagery without writing very much at all. Personally, I find this incredibly irritating: how dare he be so darn right lazy but so bloody effective! Wonderful work again.

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petrified leaves (syntuit) by Mr. Darcy Points: 7
Michael has a rare and wonderful gift. He is able to convey so much emotion in breathtakingly few words. I don't say that frivolously, but genuinely. I will not over elaborate on the meaning behind this poem (anyone who's been on here these last couple of years will know what the metaphors all stand for) but I will say that it is absolutely spot on. Petrified leaves lying beneath the earth around a mother's extended and desperate 'branches' which couldn't cling on tight enough. Heartbreaking.

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Predisposition by Silvershoes Points: 7
Jane's poem really packs a wallop of thoughts. She tells her significant other that it would be wonderful if they allowed her to be a part of their life but totally understand if her issues will be too much. It's ok to walk away, let her drown, she holds no ill will. I'm sadden by these thoughts. It is never easy to be with someone who might have anxiety or depression or other such things but if you truly love this person you are there for both good and bad days. You support each other and offer your hand to lift them up from that freezing water. Being together isn't always roses and sunshine. Some days it's mud and rotten fruit. But you get through those days and come out on the other side stronger than ever. She writes this beautifully and deeply emotional. Thank you for sharing such a personal piece.

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Previous times by Em (marmite) Points: 7
I felt every single emotion. The picturesque You painted really took me back to the previous times.

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Winter Soldier by Obscure Points: 7
This poem is read from the internal view point of the soldier, his thoughts and emotional turmoil that comes from his experiences. The torture of being turned into something that is not supposed to feel emotion. The dehumanization process that makes him feel that he is nothing more than a killing machine trained to kill without question or to suffer the fate of being reprogrammed. It paints a stark and slightly different view on the horrors of being a soldier.

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Anxiety Attack by Chatterbox 909 Points: 4
A well rhymed poem that takes the reader through the trauma and experience of a child at school
suffering an anxiety attack. Such attacks can have an adverse affect on adults lives that in many cases can be worse for children especially when faced with the torment and ridicule of fellow students.
Fortunately teachers are more aware today of such conditions and can offer help and support. This poem helps raise awareness that anxiety is a very real issue for many.

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Watch me dance by Dagmar Wilson Points: 4
Way to go Dag!

Congratulations to all the front page winners and HM's! Another stellar week of writing! Larry, thank you for hosting and the judges for their hard work trying to choose!

A heartfelt thanks to the judges for their votes, comments and hard work this term. Well done to everyone involved and a genuine sorry to my tiebreak 'victims'!

Ben

Hi all :)

Thank you Larry for hosting this week..

Thank you to the judges for their time and efforts for the weekly competition. To the judges for their votes and lovely comments on my poem.

Cogratulations to Ben, and the HM ties, and HMs awarded.

Much love, M :)x

Congratulations to this weeks winners and HMs. Thanks to Larry for hosting and the weekly judges for giving up their time amd making the weekly competition possible. Milly x

Well done one and all, winners and HMs. There were a lot of amazing works to choose from

Fair play to the judges. It must have a difficult week

Congratulations to everyone who made this contest special. The union jack will be flying high this week.

Congratulations everyone!

Many many thanks to judges and moderators for all their support.

Love you all!

Thank you judges! And congratulations everyone! I think I almost forgot how much I enjoyed reading all the nominations every week!