Weekly Contest Results - August 21st

Hello Everyone! This week we have a variety of poems been showcased by
many talented poets. Congrats to the front page Winners-mossgirl19,
hiraeth and Ben P and congrats to all who received a HM! Well done poets!
Thank you judges for your time and effort!
Here are the awaited comments.

WINNERS:

Moonlight Drawn by Clouds by mossgirl19

to you dear poets by hiraeth

A thousand miles per hour round the sun by Ben Packard

COMMENTS:

Moonlight Drawn by Clouds by mossgirl19

Mel (like most people here) has a very unique style and this piece is no different and
is in my opinion by far one of her best pieces I've read. It distinctively speaks of the
patience we need when dealing with a long distance relationship and the questioning
of why in some instances their day is our night and vice versa but it shows there's no
greater love than the one Mel speaks of and to her it's one of real love which shows
throughout the piece. A beautiful image is brought out through her words,
bravo. (10 points)
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to you dear poets by hiraeth

Mark has this way of writing that's unique and very profound but which
resonates with the best of us here on this site which is why I couldn't overlook this
poem when reading it without giving it the recognition it deserved. We can all relate
to this poem on where our poetry originates from - did we start writing to help someone
through their pain because we've known pain all our lives, did we write because poetry
is 'in our blood', do we write for fun or is it because poetry is the only help we ourselves
have or is it just because in English class we read a poem that we thought "wow I wish
I could write like that one day" too. Mark says it all but in a much better way than I
ever could. (7 points)
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To You Dear Poets by Hiraeth

I found this to be a rather beautiful poem that captivated me completely from
the outset. That it is an acknowledgement of the work of others is lovely
gesture but this is not the reason for my vote.

I gave my vote due to its structure and flow, also because of the colorful
and wonderful visuals contained within.

Thank you for the smiles (4 points)
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to you dear poets by hiraeth

This is the stuff. I wish I had words and I so desperately want to give this
poem the proper comment but every time I pick apart and piece through, I only
feel like I can 'breathe'. An ode to fellow poets, those of us who get one another
even if we truly don't, in that longing desire and understanding. The nooks and
crannies of the palms - so tender and gentle yet fierce. I loved every single bit of
this poem, and hope it gets highlighted on the front page for everyone to see.
Beautiful, beautiful stuff. (10 points)
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to you dear poets" by: hiraeth

I feel like a giddy child reading this poem. What I've found with your poems,
especially this one, is that they have an individuality and come to life before my eyes.
It's like an interactive storybook from my imagination.

Too often I find poems that are so reliant on explaining, with heavy details that
seem to weigh the poem down. But here, I find light. It's like you've let me step outside
for a breath of fresh air, and everything feels new to me.

Bravo! You've given poems their own pathways and words their own land to grow
on.

I can't help but sigh at that last line.... poets truly breathe life into this often
dreary, meaningless world. (10 points)
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A thousand miles per hour round the sun(bowlesian sonnet) by Ben Packard

Another incredible piece of poetry sees Mr Packard nominated once
again and rightfully so.

This work has a wonderful tempo and kept me bobbing along with it.
I also enjoyed the message it conveys.Sometimes things can't be mapped out for
us and indeed I think we all need to get a little lost sometimes. Only by getting lost
do we truly find ourselves.

Well done (10 points)
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HM’s:

A Sonnet for Shakespeare by Ben Pickard

Battlefield of Fear *sonnet* by Kasie

Unwanted Treasure by Maple Tree

Failings" By Brenda

Shotgun by Hope

Went on our Way by Lucifer

A Book with a Filthy Cover by Maple Tree

Drink! by Mark points

Scattering seeds by Britt

COMMENTS:

Shotgun by Hope

"mortal sin burns in these veins"

- I LOVE the mention of mortal sins, not in a sinister way so to speak but I love
how it adds depth and almost a fear. Growing up religiously, my childlike self was
always aware of how grave, how serious mortal sins were. I was reminded and warned
about "eternal damnation" and "everlasting punishment".

"you're mine for catastrophic faith"

- The punch and impact of your lines is incredible. This feels so darkly intimate
and like your voice keeps reminding how you won't just go away. You may fade, but
there's almost this endless fate that can't be escaped.

I liked the intrigue and mystique of this poem (not to mention the rhythm), how
I kept pondering things like, if you are haunting this person to protect them? That
if you make one mistake in you guarding them, their life will be at stake. The dead
DO talk and in this poem, it's like that love is keeping you awake, that even love cannot
be caught or trapped by death.

My only criticism (and this is based on my opinion and personal preference) is that I
felt you used too much punctuation in places. Since you had an obvious break when
going to the next line, I almost could say you didn't need the comma after every
line. (7 points)
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Drink! by Mark

Mark has put his all into this piece about (in my opinion) a public house atmosphere
and it's very well rhymed and I think somewhat fun. I love the pace of the lines. I
appreciate the repetition because most drunks do repeat things, it's not something
you see everyday but it hit the spot. (4 points)
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Failings by Brenda

I found this to be a quite harrowing poem to read that triggered a lot of
thought and emotion within myself and yet it pulls you in completely.
Such emotion and frustration so effectively and fluently voiced, you can't
escape it, although some of it makes your heart bleed.

I can only imagine what it's like, not being able to bond with a family member,
but from what is described within I can easily see how this would be the case.

The last stanza actually got an audible "NO" from my lips. You are not failing,
you're doing everything you can from what I perceive. That some people refuse to
help themselves is unfortunately a fact of life.

Incredibly well written and conveyed (7 points)
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Went on our Way by Lucifer

Reminiscing bygone days of love is something every one of us can relate to.
Think of something so beautiful laid to waste. I love the loving tone of the
piece. With excellent word choice the writer was able to effectively portray
how beautiful this love was once was. I think of a kind of love that didn’t
work out but undoubtedly has taught the speaker here so much.
I also love the unique rhyme scheme used in here. A great scheme that
allowed the piece to flow so well. Wonderful job! (4 points)
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Battlefield of Fear *sonnet* by Kasie

Sonnets are metered, and they are expected to flow well. The great
challenge here is always the word choice in expressing the thoughts in
each line. Kasie did an excellent job here, as this one did not only impart an
inspiring message but is also absolutely seamless. This does her
mentors proud! (7 points)
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A Sonnet for Shakespeare by Ben Pickard

An excellently - crafted tribute to who may be considered as the greatest
writer of all time. Shakespeare is a literary genius! What I get from this
piece is the fact that, the power of poetry spans many generations and what
more can poets ever dream of, than create masterpieces that will outlive them!
Long gone but this Bard is still inspiring millions of poets around the world.

Though the writer here claims he cannot make the grade…he has his
own unique take at sonnets that undoubtedly will do Shakespeare
proud. (10 points)
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Unwanted Treasure by Maple Tree

A poem that many writers can understand and feel on some level - we
have these words and thoughts and feelings and desires buried deep in our
hearts and minds and they just beg, ache to come out. I love the part about even
in pages of poetry there is secrets and lies. I know that holds so true for me,
what we wish we felt, what we wish we could heal, and even holding back the
true despair we hold in our hands. This is a beautiful piece of art, one that is
important to evaluate ourselves in. (7 points)
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A Book with a Filthy Cover by Maple Tree

A beautiful yet haunting piece, and I can tell this poem is laced
with so much anguish, so incredibly personal. Beautiful work.
(4 points)
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scattering seeds by Britt

I was actually just reading some poem I randomly came across online that
used the word "ooze" and it made me physically cringe. But here, it works somehow.
It's more direct and I feel the goodness deep in the soil and rooted in her
story.

The part that especially resonated with me was: "she thumbs over the dirt and her
hurt" and it's almost like this fear of the unknown, of a greater plan, one that is
just being revealed to you that you cannot plan for. As usual, I find a lot of spirituality
and personal awakening in your poetry.

Your theme of growth (both personally, spiritually and literally in regards to
mother earth) has been prominent in your other poems... and I applaud you for
sharing your voice and journey. (4 points)

Congratulations to all the front page winners and HM's. Once again this amazing week of writing. Thank you judges for your wonderful comments on my poem, I greatly appreciate your kind words. Ben, thank you for nominating this piece. Meena, thank you for hosting.

I'd like to thank our judges for the wonderful comment on 'moonlight' not quite expecting the win but happy that it did as it was just raw... and my genuine feelings towards a long distant loved one. ;-)

It's an honour to be up there with Ben and Mark. Thank you Craig for the nomination. Congratulations to everyone and thank you Ms. Meena for hosting.

Another great week! :-)

Thank you judges for the wonderful comment on my poem. Also, congratulations to the front page winners and to my fellow hm's. We have some very talented poets!

Congratulations, to all the winners of weekly contest and those who got HM's including me.
A big thanks to Brenda and Em for nominating my poems.
I am grateful to the judges for considering one of my poem worth the HM and even more grateful to that one particular judge who gave such wonderful comment about it.

Thanks to all the judges for their valuable time and appreciating our work.

Thank you again to the judges for their time and congratulations to all those highlighted this week.

Thank you sweet judge for the HM <3 Thanks Meena and mods and judges for all your work, and congrats to winners & HMs!

(I always feel like an awkward broken record posting this every week lol)

Thank you judges, very kind and thoughtful comments

Congratulations to everyone!

I'm a tad late but congratulations all - thanks judges and Meena

Congratulations to the winners and HMs.
Thanks, Meena for Hosting and to the judges..