Weekly Contest Winners - November 4, 2019!

Hello! Posting a bit early since the judges were so awesome and prompt. We had three judges weigh in, and we will need all the help we can get with our new judging term that will be November thru January. Please pm the mod account if interested (and a huge thank you to all past and future judges!)

This week, we have a mournful yet contemplative piece by Michael, of lost love and how the absence can almost be tangible. He connects it beautifully to the loss of summer, of warmth, as a new season takes over. Next is Larry's heartbreaking tanka about the reality of the aftermath of monsoons in Nepal, about the devastation thousands have faced and continue to face. And last but not least is Ben's incredibly original piece that still gives me shivers - a perfect mixture of horror, a dark mind and the questions of "what if", a character crossing the line perhaps into evil. Such different but memorable writes, congrats to the three of you! And congratulations to our HM's as well. Gratitude again for our judges, for their time and talents.

Take care, everyone. Hope you all have a wonderful week :)
- MA

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WINNERS:

"Bare" by: Michael

"Michael's poem this week tells of the fallout after a relationship ends. His first stanza hooks you in, rowing his spoon through his coffee, reflecting on how much water has passed under that bridge. I love his metaphors! When things end and it's just you and your memories, it's hard. Everything gets analyzed and the what it's and maybe's play a vicious game of tag in your head and your heart. Michael has captured that in this piece. An ended relationship is never easy but the sun will come around again and knowing some of Michael's backstory, the fact he's openly writing instead of being self destructive shows just how far he's gone and he should be so very proud of himself because I certainly am!" (10)

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"The king of metaphors strikes again with this heartbreaking piece. The regret and loneliness is painfully exposed as the end of a relationship is reflected upon. Michael's uncanny knack for putting into beautiful poetic form how we all feel at times is superb." (7)

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"Nepal Monsoon" by: Larry Chamberlin

"The tanka is a form of Japanese poetry that is five lines with a 5, 7, 5, 7, 7 syllable count. I believe, traditionally, they were often exchanged between lovers as letters but time and differences in culture have allowed for their topical expansion.

Larry shows us both sides of the coin here in regards to Nepal's monsoons, pointing out that - although they give life - they also "take it away". The horrible balance that has to be paid for replenishing the lands about and allowing crops to grow and life to be sustained.

I've said before and say again here, formed poetry is not given half the recognition it deserves around here. Syllable counts are hard enough to get right, but to actually stay on course and say what you intend - poetically - is an art. Well done, Larry." (10)

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"The Blood Orange, The Boulder And The Watermelon" by: Ben Pickard

"Ben's creepy side is alive and well in this chilling exploration of 'what if?' In perfect timing for Halloween this brought to mind thoughts I'd normally avoid in a poetic, sickening, twisty nightmare. I love it as much as I hate it!" (10)

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HM's:

"Days Gone By" by: Aegis

"In all honesty, as I read this, I found myself again questioning what constitutes a poem. There were once strict rules about meter, rhyme, poetic language etc which separated verse from prose but that certainly is no longer adhered to quite like it was. Is that a bad thing? honestly? not sure. I love the concept of free verse but surely, it has to be written with some element of poetry or we lose the distinction and that (I believe) is an insult to both verse and prose.

Where is all this going in regards to this poem then? Well, as above, reading this felt more like reading an interesting/amusing anecdote than a poem, but I am well aware of my own inability sometimes to embrace this ever-changing poetic landscape that we all enjoy so much, but I am fully aware how clever this little piece is, as so often is the case with this man's work. Original stuff." (7)

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"November Calls Me By My Name" by: Poet On The Piano

"Mary Anne has been digging deep into her heart and soul and sharing these beautiful pieces with us. This is no exception. I felt her pain in these words, I felt her sadness of trying yet again to deal with another season, the cold one, the bare one. The one where we are forced to be overly "happy" when our insides are screaming, " no, I don't belong here! " The shortened days and long nights can be trigger to so many. We need the warmth and the greenery to feel there is still possibilities in this world, still possibilities with us." (7)

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"Puddled up memories" by: the warrior

"This is incredibly bittersweet and packed with poignant nostalgia. It made me feel it was a painful reminder of a child; lost to time, distance or even death. This starkly life-observant piece jangled a nerve or two. Beautifully done!" (4)

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"The Bird On The Branch" by: Everlasting

"Great little story, original as ever, and some lovely, subtle rhyme throughout. Thoroughly enjoyed this one." (4)

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"Try Again" by C. Cattaway

"Catherine's piece this week was a reflective poem on how we should be looking forward so to speak. When it comes to people and situations we tend to go back to whatever our past experience has been on that and make a predetermined assessment. We judge therefore never giving that person or situation a proper opportunity to actually show us who or what they are. Catherine has decided to be cognizant of this very human reaction we all tend to do and actually see this person for who they are, not someone we may have encountered before, opening her mind and heart to new experiences. It sounds incredibly freeing and a wonderful thought we should all embrace." (4)

Congratulations to all our front page winners and HM's! Another glorious week of beautiful poems. Mary Anne, thank you for hosting and our judges for making some really tough choices. I was able to read all the nominations and all of them were front page worthy in my book.

Thanks to the judge for the comment. I agree formed poetry rocks! Thanks again for the comment.

Congrats to Michael & Ben and to the HMs & thanks to the outgoing judges and Thanks, MaryAnne for hosting!

EDIT: I forgot to thank Mark, for nominating my poems.

Hi All :)

thank you MA for hosting this week.

Thank you to the judges for your time. thank you to the judges who voted on my poem and the lovely comments you gave, very much appreciated :)

Congratulations to Ben and Larry and all HMs awarded

Much love, M :)x

Congratulations to the three winners, really beautiful work!! Congrats to the HMs as well. :)
Thank you judges and MA for your time ^_^

Congrats everyone

Thank you MA for hosting, thank you to the judge who commented on my poem and thank you to the judges in general who have given their time this term.
Well done to all those highlighted.

Ben