Noura's contest! THE WINNER.

Hello, brains.

Meh, a judge was really late so I had to judge without her. I really had fun doing this, was anticipating more participation, but huh, I wasn't disappointed by the quality at ALL.

Ok. Ok. I'll shut up and just put the two judges' comments and votes. And mine. The vote was only to rank from 1 to 5. 1 is the best, 5 is the worst.
BUT you all did a wonderful job and I loved all poems, remember whether you're ranked 1 or 5, you are a winner! You made it to the top five. :)

First judge's comments and vote!

Tuna Phobic -1-

Love the story. There is still some forced placements (he darts his debut) but given the overall impact and humor it is forgiveable.

Saucy Spaghetti, Sweet Time -2-

The story is simple, but the staccato of alliteration gets in the way of perfection. So many short bursts of it become distracting. Very well told observation-poem otherwise.

Craving Calories -3-

This one screams food as well as diet and weakening will power. Well done vignette into a dieter's nightmare of cravings.

Creme de la Creme -4-

Cute but juvenile. Dr. Seuss would be proud.
Apricot 5 Thewords were picked more for their sound than their sense. The poem is cute a alliteration but leaves out the importance of the story.

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Second judge's comments and votes!

Poem #2 Tuna Phobic Rank: -1-

I absolutely adored the effort and originality put into this piece as well as the clever ribbons of alliteration that was consistent, and present from start to finish. The opening was so abstract yet you voice such a strong thought it pulls me in- makes me wonder about this man and his purpose. My favorite alliteration here was "blackberry-bathed" to describe the teeth. It was enchanting in a way but more alluring images. I like how you continue to make his presence known, when he puts his arm around you in the bus, and it seems you can't take it anymore. The strongest part for me was definitely when he pulled out the tunafish. I love how your eyes "faint" instead of popping out or watering, you describe much more. Loved the ending, this was like a memory that is alive in you. What I felt through this poem was the dare you took on to make it more than just a few alliteration phrases here and there. This poem reflected that challenge, and it was refreshing to read and made me laugh!

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Poem #4 Saucy Spaghetti, Sweet Time.
Rank -2-

I really appreciate here how you tied the theme in, how you frame and outline this beast and the lady he dines with, who both share this hunger. I also love how you made it kind of an art form, something destined between the two. The last line of the second stanza I don't feel like you needed, since the reader is obviously getting the tones of this piece. I just felt like you didn't have to go and outright say that, let the reader picture the spaghetti themselves. My only other thing to say would be to be more courageous with the alliteration, use it more thoroughly. You used it well, but there were some words I think you could have worked to make them start with that same letter. Great musing though in this one- especially from where you take it in the beginning, this girl has adventure, dreaming of life and cheese together like she can have the whole world. It's such a fresh take! I don't know why but I really liked the "beautiful beamy beast"- I love the thought of that. The last line was wonderful, endearing, and full of that innocence.

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Poem #1 Apricot
Rank: -3-

What I really loved in your poem was the soft tones and gentleness you brought to the reader. The imagery was sweet and sincere, and I also liked how you used alliteration- it seemed well-organized and well-grouped, especially with your simile in the seventh line. My only suggestion would be to not use "auburns" in the first line, yes, I agree it was a tongue-tying two words, but it still didn't fit for me. I wanted something more creative, more telling than that. The only other thing I can add is that I would have liked to see your feelings incorporated in it too, however you did bring nature to life here. Autumn, the tree, the apple all reviving. Good brevity here.

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Poem # 5 Creme de la Creme
"Better Buttered"
Rank: -4-

The lightness and humor here was enriching; the poet seems to be in their own world of inspiration and is definitely calling for more of the milk. I love how you repeated maidens at the end, and didn't really have a polished conclustion there. The opening was inventive, yet I love how you played in the theme of alliteration with the "m"s. I thought the milk could have been more elaborated near the end instead of the continued "mmm"s. I would have looked for more content here yet you still have a leading voice in this poem.

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Poem #3 Craving Calories
Rank: 5

I felt like some parts of this weren't the strongest they could be, or the most unique, made my eyes turn back to it- but it has the potential to be...I just didn't feel the content, and you didn't make me want to need more of it either to understand. I feel like "delicate" and "aroma" are used so much in poetry, and especially with food items, specifically that. I think you could have still incorporated this in the poem, just tied different thoughts together. In your second stanza, my one suggestion would be to work on the last three lines...it may have contributed to imagery in the poem, but it still did nothing more me. You had already said "chewy" in the beginning and I would have loved to see you pen it instead of throwing the word out there. The ending was a bit stronger, I like how you not just talked about life but laughter too, as if they go along. Thanks for the read.

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My voting:

Poem #2 Tuna Phobic -1-
Poem #4 Saucy Spaghetti, Sweet Time -2-
Poem # 5 Creme de la Creme "Better Buttered" -3-
Poem #1 Apricot -4-
Poem #3 Craving Calories -5-

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That being said, the winner poem is:
Poem number 2!

CONGRATULATIONS LEBANESE PHOENIX!

You did an awesome job all throughout the contest! I loved all of your poems, feel free to reveal them here!
:D

Runner-ups: Karla and Lucero!

Congrats for both of you.

And there are people I would like to mention too.. Meme, Tara Kay and Danny (he left) you guys amazed me with your creative work. ;)

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Judges, you have helped me and I owe you big one. Thank you for your time and efforts. I loved reading your input.
Sir Larry, MarryAnne and Sam...
Thank you very, very much. :)

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Abed, you start your contest now or I will chop you to pieces.

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Whooo!!

Thank you Noura, this is the first time I made it to the last round :D

I feel proud lol.

Congrats Abed and Karla and everyone who participated too

And Thank you to the Judges too!!

Congrats to Abed for winning, and to all of you who participated...well done :]

Congratulations ABED!!! You deserved it...

I was not expecting to win, it has been a tough time for me and I was unable to put my best into this final round.

However I was happy to be a part of a great contest, hosted by one of my best friends here, Noura, You are a star

and I congratulate all the entrants on amazing work!!

:O - I thought that this was my best through all your rounds, but I never expected to win. Thanks! I really liked this round the most! :) -- Oh, and thanks, judges... you are the reason the site contests are still breathing, lol

Congrats Abed and Luce. I knew I was at home!Kewl!!!!

Nice going Abed, a concensus winner!
Good work everyone!

Woohoo! Congrats Abed!!! And Luce and Karla, your poems were absolutely beautiful..

Thanks Noura for the great contest and awesome push for entries :)

Congratulations guys. Wonderful alliteration.

Congrats Abed, well deserved :-D

I thought you done brilliantly disguising yourself in this verse Abed...Good job and congratulations...An Aussie in the making perhaps? haha!!!

I may have Aussie roots :P

You are Arabic, Arabic, Arabic!

Poetess you need to relax.......if abed has Aussie routes it doesn't change the fact that he is Arabic :)

Lol that's true ^

Congratulations Lebanese Phoenix,
Wonderful job of writing.
I love Tuna, and the smell, to die for.

Thank you judges for all the great input,
I feel like a kid again.

"I don't wanna grow up, I'm a toys r us kid"

Congratulations Abed, I loved the Tuna poem and had absolutely no idea who wrote it. Fantastic piece.

Congrats to the runners up and all those who participate, I've read some great poems.

Nice contest, Noura!

Haven't gotten a chance to read the contest poems, but please post them to your accounts! I would love to know who wrote them *while* I'm reading them :)

Thanks!

Haha, ArtistrySoul. I was just kidding, I just forgot to use a smiley or a lol which is not me, I know but I promise I was joking! Haha. :)

Really guys, I'm loving the poems more and more now as I re-read them, especially Abeds.

Hehe . . .Poetess, its fine but now it makes more sense and i'm positive you didn't mean anything by it :)