I never know exactly what to say, when I see these contests; where people ask you to write poems for them personally. Part of me is admittedly repulsed by the very idea, that anyone could be so shameless. Yet, there's another part of me that sighs,(I suppose that is my heart.)and wonders what life has done to these poor souls that they would publicly beg for reassurance. I admit in perhaps my loneliest hours, the idea might have crossed some brief span of my mind. Yet, I don't see myself doing it. I also don't see myself writing for such contests, unless there are some circumstances to warrant it.(Like if a victim of some horrible happenstance asked for help in recovery.)
Just thinking out loud in this column. What do you guys think?
On another note. Do you think people that are closer to these people are more likely to win these contests? A mediocre poem might seem powerful and uplifting coming from someone you care about.
Certain contests...
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Holy crap, you make the best columns ever.
Whenever I see contests for people SPECIFICALLY scoping for boyfriends/girlfriends or "Make me feel better" kind of things, I'm very unsympathetic and think
Honestly...it's narcissistic in the least attractive way [to me].
I like non-anonymous contests better so you can actually IM them if necessary...
Even if a contest is anonymous, if a favorite of yours entered, it's usually easy to figure out who it is [after you commented/shows up on your favorites list/you recognize their style].
I think biased people who play "pass-the-trophy" will definitely award crap ass poems, for sure...urghs. -
I think it's sad and degrading and a bit like begging for attention. I have entered a couple fo tribute contests for poets I truly admire, but then these are put on by someone else. I don't enter them anymore as quite a few have tribute contests in their honor at least once a month..and really just how much can be said, lol.
I think that closer friends would have an advantage for just the reasons you've stated. I think that's just human nature.
I have question in the same vein (vane?)...what about people who hold contests to announce they are leaving AP forever...then don't
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Thanks.
Yeah I have seen those too. Some around here used to hold them b-monthly. heh.
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I agree and hate seeing contests like that. Poetry is art and it's my art. I write for me and nobody else. I entered a contest similar to what you're talking about and was criticized because my poem "did not reflect their personal beliefs". Should we all wear signs stating all our likes and dislikes? Maybe the contests should be run and judged objectively....yeah...that might work.
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Cheers. I totally agree!
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I agree Mark.....When I browse through the contests I am often bewildered by the amount of people that hold contests looking for advice on how to deal with their problems.....AHHHHH HELLO...I do believe that is what Dear Abby is for. I admit that I have met alot of people on here and have become friends and will seek advice but never in the form of a contest....I mean how do you realistically judge such as that?? Contests asking for uplifting pieces is perhaps one thing but posting a pic of yourself and asking others to write about you is just wrong...do you really wanna know that half the site may think that you are homely as sin???
And I totally agree with your last 2 lines....however I have thought that about alot of contests regardless of the subject matter. You give us much to chew on here and I thank you for being honest about this...
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I would enter such a contest if a friend was holding it or if the person needed it (as you say, having experienced something traumatic).
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Personally, I think there's a line here. I saw a contest about a year ago when a teen girl plastered her picture at the top and asked the guys what they thought about her. It was not only sad, but seemed possibly dangerous.
I had to laugh at Cannonsfire last remark. As a matter of fact, my therapist was thrilled to know that I had started writing Not just a constant regurgitation of my 'problems' but an attempt to look at all kinds of things from different perspectives. If my muse is somewhat demented at times, what can I say?
Back to the discussion at hand, I see contests of people celebrating their birthdays or their 2nd year on AP and I have no problems with that. I friend of mine held a contest for all people who weren't on his faves list, just reaching out to meet poets rather than limit himself.
I keep my contests anonymous, because I feel I would subconsciously be influenced by the fact that I know and admire someone.
I couldn't hold a contest for personal poems, we're all virtual friends here. I don't feel anyone here could actually say that they 'know' me except for a few snippets here and there.
Darn you Cerulean, I logged on and here you've made me go and think! ROTFL!!! -
I think you've missed the point ENTIRELY!
Poetry is what binds us together, do you know that
I never would've read you unless you had entered in
a contest and I was reading the entries!
Contests are not shame-less, or petty, hollow
attempts at vanity...
but simply a GREAT WAY TO RELEASE...the
amazing thoughts upon their Chosen PROMPTS
and MAKE A LOT OF NEW FRIENDS ....Easily!
What I have always tresured about your soul
is the depth and heights...
remember sweet of souls....we do not write alone,
inspiration flows from all our poetic hearts to
each other regularly..effortless..it is natures call.
ears/Seattle
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*Hug*
I was talking about... never mind.
lol
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I think it's very shameless.
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I like your eyeball and your short but to the point comment.
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Some thingsae either not worth talking about
or don't need a big explanation.
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I do agree with your thoughts on this one bro although I am therefore calling myself a hypocrit as when I was nw to the site that was exactly what I did. I suppose as pshychology would analyse it to symbolise the fact that they need reassurance in themselvs and those around them, in that they have lost the self confidence and they fear they are not as loved as people tell them they are. It's hard o judge a contest fairly especially if we have them on our favourites or if we know there style of writing because we instantly put them into first or second or third just because we do know them. I know longer wish or want to run contests for myself because to me it just feels as if I am seeking attention. but i do agree with your thoughts here,.
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I feel like I have watched you grow a bit in these few years, sis.
Lubbers ya ;p -
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well you know I am getting old at 18
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Don't say that. If you are getting old then the graveyard could be next week for me. I was 18, 17 years ago. lol
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hehe well i lubbers you anywayz
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Awww. I'll write you a poem, Mark.
Gimme a few minutes, though. I'm currently working on something else. Hey, you held a contest for people write about me once! But I didn't realize it until I came back from my sabbatical. And it's different when someone else makes the contest for you. Ha ha. That gives me an ide...I mean, uh.
How you doin'? -
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I am doing ok, my dear co-weaver. Not looking for any poems for me. lol
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ROFL. Mwah ha ha ...
UHhhh...I don't care?
Tee hee hee.
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It's possible... I've written a couple dedications for specific people, though it's only been people I know well. I got a bronze on the one I wrote for you, and the other one didn't even place. But I don't know about the second part... Maybe, maybe not...
The only time I did a contest like that was when my grandfather died... Except I said that I wanted uplifting poems, not necessarily personal ones, though your poem [Adam's and Josie's as well] was lovely... and the contest was anonymous. I do like the anon. feature; when I started doing the NFTW contests, I had no idea who anyone was until the end, and when I saw the winners' names, I had no idea who they are... there's something nice about that anonymity
that's my rant
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I am mainly talking about the ones that just flat out say, "Show me how much you love me"
I like anon too. Sometimes there is no anon though. Like when you say, "Only onepoet could have written this.." lol
Mucho love to you!
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Well, some people have VERY distinctive styles, yourself included, my cohort
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Dear bro an interesting thought here. I must admit I have done these once or twice but if you do not know the person well then you are clutching at straws to truly understand them or how they react to any type of words. Would someone they know have more chance well all depends on whether the contest is anonymous or not I guess. I would hope they would judge based on the content rather than the sentiments. It's almost a form of positive re-inforcement (as therapists would say ) to read about it from another person's point of view and feel better about themselves. As I have never been in that situation to ask someone to make me feel better about a delicate or difficult period of my life other than the mundane heartbreaking issues lol I couldn't quantify an answer more than this generic observation. I think some people here write just as a cheap form of therapy rather than pay $100 an hour to have a professional sit and listen to them and the exact same thing they pen poems about. C
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I agree, mostly. I mean, if is your birthday I think it is okay to start a contest for yourself, (as in not apprehensible). But yeah, I don't think I could ever ask for support from others in that way.
And, I agree with your last stanza completely. Sometimes knowing someone influences one's decision. Like, cliche endings are meaningful, and poor content still has value because you KNOW what they mean. However, I think that it is possible to judge based on talent, etc., it just takes a little more conscious effort. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Some food for thought.
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Guilty
Oh man,
Okay I am Lisa and I had a need to be reassured twice. lol
Seriously though it is true when i first got here and made a few friends i was still being abused by my ex. I did put my picture up but i don't think really it was for so much reassurance as much as it was finding who i was and if i was worth anything to anybody. Was i still numb or could people even try telling who i was...
I know sad huh? Okay shoot me now lol!
Then on my birthday this yr i was alone and well i did put my pic up again but i had changed alot by then, the EX was an ex divoraced and all.
I didnt want poems about me but a favorite song of mine was the prompt for my birthday.
So I agree with Cannonsfire cheap therpy.
my contest were annoynomous.
Hmmm okay i confessed, do i get the pathetic bozo button now? lol
If i knew the person and found a chance to uplift their spirits i would write for it.
Thats just me though a softie.
ss
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