Poetry Voting Thread

[Baron]

Please leave your vote for the poem you think most deserving. You may leave comments in this thread or in the thread relating to the poem you're voting for.

As there are only five entries in this section you need to vote for only one poem.

[Gumby]

I voted for Joanna's Story, by Lady S. She captured ten very long years and all the nuances of such a horrible relationship, in ten short lines, including the title. Great poetic justice. Excellent work!

[Cran]

Once again, Lady S set the benchmark with Joanna's Story -
a concise snapshot revealing more in what was left unwritten.
A flawless example of the power in simplicity. >*<

Of the remainder who failed to reach that benchmark, closest
came The Steep Cost of Seed by Chester's Daughter -
a contrastingly more drawn but just as painful indictment,
marred only by an uncertain scheme and a wincing double negative:
neither shed nary a tear (not either shed not one)

GoatBrain's "What is it you're wanting to be?" is an interesting,
if familiar, decadal snapshot series which comes across as truncated -
what happened between 40 and 50 to bring such a complete shift
in one's view of life?

Wartec's voice in The Omega Sword: Ten years of doom. aimed for
times and epics past, and mostly succeeded but without much power -
skimmed rather than gripped the blade, and by other mistake provided
another double negative:
I no not when my heart grew cold. (know not)

[bazz cargo]

My poetic qualifications are non-existent but I have voted for a poem I think the most worthy, by a whisker.

The Steep Cost of Seed (Mature Theme)

Chester's Daughter.


Strong stuff written in a rather cheerful style. Oddly in keeping with the current news.


"What is it you're wanting to be?"
Goatbrain.


A nicely done twist on an old theme.


The Omega Sword: Ten years of doom.
Wartec.


A graphic depiction of emotionally driven folly.


At Ten Years
Cran


The five ages of mankind. Again.




Joanna's Story



Lady S


A real kick in the emotions.

[Foxee]

Sorry, I feel like my comments boil down to, "I voted for the one I liked."

The Steep Cost of Seed by Chester's Daughter

This has strong imagery and hard edges. Dreary in the dark certainty that comes true in the end. Very sad.

Who is it You're Wanting to Be by GoatBrain

Out of all five poems this one wasn't the only one to touch on this idea but it was the one that I enjoyed most. For some reason poetry doesn't seem to have a lighthearted or even a simply forthright view of things very often and I voted for this one because it allowed me up to breathe.

The Omega Sword: Ten years of doom by Wartec

This felt like it was a big sweeping theme told in an unsteady fashion.

At Ten Years by Cran

I liked this one and I wish I could comment a bit more intelligently because I know that there are probably things about it that demonstrate good poetry craft. Unfortunately, I don't feel like I have the experience or the technical knowledge to do so.

Joanna's Story by Lady S

As with Cran's, I wish I knew a bit more about writing poetry so that I could comment. From my uneducated point of view I liked the economy of wording and the clear picture. For some reason I didn't connect with this as well as some others did. Not sure why.

[Cran]

Foxee, I couldn't tell you if mine demonstrated good poetry craft; only that I aimed for a consistency of scheme throughout - something of a challenge for me. As for Joanna's Story, it's strength is not in its poetry but in the unwritten story behind it; a survivor's story of innocence lost through abused trust and secret crimes.

Bazz, thank you. It's good to know that my life conforms to the five ages of mankind; explains why I'm so predictable and boring.

[bazz cargo]

Bazz, thank you. It's good to know that my life conforms to the five ages of mankind; explains why I'm so predictable and boring.

I am taking this opportunity to expand a little on my comment.

Your poem was well structured. The theme was rather painful. Trouble is, I can see the strings. Knowing I am being manipulated kind of negates the impact. Part of the problem is the history behind the form you employed. Five, or three or seven ages have been done to the point where it now has parody connotations.

You have had a very busy time recently and I don't see it letting up any-time soon so it is very unfair of me being so picky. But... When you are playing with the heavy hitters you had better be on top of your game.

[Cran]

Damn, I should have used thinner strings. Couldn't do much about the five decades; that's all I've lived.
No illusions about where I place when the big guns come to town - that's why I switched from writer to editor so early.

When it comes to crits, picky is good - personal circumstances don't matter when assessing a piece - you did right.

[Lady S]

Dear Cran, thank you for your comments. I've had to return the favour and vote for your poem. This is the third poem of yours that I've seen online. You may not be prolific but each of them is a gem.

[Cran]

Thank you, Lady S; I do enjoy the few opportunities I get to explore my poetry. Gem, and various superlatives, I tend to reserve for your pieces which have been consistently brilliant and often timeless.

I do feel rather chuffed that what I saw as the two best offerings in this challenge have tied for first place - my warmest congratulations to Lady S and Chester's Daughter for their well-deserved wins.

And, based on the in-house system, congratulations also to Goatbrain for your third place result.

[Baron]

As with fiction, the prize pool in this challenge will be divided between the two winners. The prize to Lady S will, at her choice, be donated to Open Doors.

[Chester's Daughter]

Hearty congratulations to all of our esteemed winners in both genres, as well as to all entrants for providing us with such wonderful efforts. Excellent job, everyone! Thanks to all for the congrats as well as the votes, and a special thank you to Baron for the opportunity to participate. I would like to donate my prize to WF. If it weren't for everything I learned right here at the site, I'd still be writing complete rubbish. WritingForums.com provided me with an education as well as an outlet for the inner turmoil that surely would have had me in a strapped jacket in a nice rubber room by now. I would like nothing better than to give back to the community that has given me so much.

[Baron]

Hearty congratulations to all of our esteemed winners in both genres, as well as to all entrants for providing us with such wonderful efforts. Excellent job, everyone! Thanks to all for the congrats as well as the votes, and a special thank you to Baron for the opportunity to participate. I would like to donate my prize to WF. If it weren't for everything I learned right here at the site, I'd still be writing complete rubbish. WritingForums.com provided me with an education as well as an outlet for the inner turmoil that surely would have had me in a strapped jacket in a nice rubber room by now. I would like nothing better than to give back to the community that has given me so much.

Very generous, Lisa. It will be done as you ask.

[candid petunia]

Hearty congratulations to all of our esteemed winners in both genres, as well as to all entrants for providing us with such wonderful efforts. Excellent job, everyone! Thanks to all for the congrats as well as the votes, and a special thank you to Baron for the opportunity to participate. I would like to donate my prize to WF. If it weren't for everything I learned right here at the site, I'd still be writing complete rubbish. WritingForums.com provided me with an education as well as an outlet for the inner turmoil that surely would have had me in a strapped jacket in a nice rubber room by now. I would like nothing better than to give back to the community that has given me so much.

Bravo!


Congratulations, Lisa and Lady S. It was tough choosing between you two (I voted for Lisa in the end, sorry haven't had time for the feedback).

And thank you, Baron for the chance to participate in these events. Let's all hope for a larger turn-out and a merrier challenge next time.

[Gumby]

Congratulations to Chester's Daughter and Lady S, well done, ladies!