Okay, this is a totally self-serving contest, but I really need the help...and I'm willing to pay for it with my points.
This is what I need: I'm supposed to read five of my poems at a poetry reading at my local community college on the 24th. One is pre-selected, [titled "Eternal Hell", so don't pick that one
] as it was published in the college's literary journal. But, I have to come up with 4 more.
So, here's the deal. I need help figuring out which four (4) other poems I'll be reading. These readings always freak me out. I start reading through my stuff and after a short while, they all begin to look like crap to me. (I'm also on my 7th day of quitting smoking, so I don't have my normal crutch for relieving anxiety....) So, last night when I was very tired, very discouraged, and very freaked out, I decided to post this contest. My alternative was gonna be to call 'em up and tell 'em I had stomach flu and couldn't make the &%$#@ reading.
This seemed like the more honorable course. So, not only will you have a chance to win points and trophies, but you'll be doing me a big favor. A really, really* big favor.
To win the trophies and points, here's what you have to do:
1. For each entry, pick a poem of mine that you think I should read and tell me specifically why you think it would be a good choice for my reading. Put the title to my poem in your entry title area, and use the "poem" space in the entry to submit your comment/reasons for selecting that poem.
2. You may enter as many times as you like, and it is possible that one person may win all three trophies. However, the reading is on the 24th, so the contest will close and be judged before then.
3. I will accept ONLY ONE submission (the first recieved) of any single poem, unless you IM me first and tell me why you think you should be allowed to submit a poem that has already been entered by someone else. (If I agree, and subsequently choose to read that poem, I will award points and trophy only to the entry that provided the most convincing reason for submitting that particular poem.)
4. I DO want you to list the title of the poem (and a link to the poem, if you have that capability), and then tell me why you chose this particular poem as a candidate for my reading.
5. I do NOT want you to comment on the poem page or applaud it, and you won't win any extra points with me for doing this.
There will be at least one "winner" selected, and the Gold trophy and 300 points will be awarded to the author of that selected entry. I will award points to each of the other 2 trophy winning entries, and to a single honorable mention, if I select sufficient entries. I reserve the right to award only the Gold and 300 points, if there are not - in my opinion - entries sufficiently worthy of additional "wins".
Please don't waste my time whining about this contest, or calling me vile names. I know I'm a coward when it comes to this stuff...but, I've been known to stand down brutish and armed folks much larger and meaner than me...so, I am not gonna beat myself up about this foible.
I know it is odd. I know it is self-serving. I know it is not in keeping with what contests on AP generally are set up to do. But, I've run quite a few very successful and fair contests here on AP previously. I'm generous and hoorable as a contest judge, and - bottom line - they're my points so....get over it, or don't enter.
For those of you who do enter, I appreciate your willingness to help me out. I will be judging this contest before the reading...so, please hurry.
Thanks in advance, for your help.
And, good luck in the contest.
This is what I need: I'm supposed to read five of my poems at a poetry reading at my local community college on the 24th. One is pre-selected, [titled "Eternal Hell", so don't pick that one
] as it was published in the college's literary journal. But, I have to come up with 4 more.So, here's the deal. I need help figuring out which four (4) other poems I'll be reading. These readings always freak me out. I start reading through my stuff and after a short while, they all begin to look like crap to me. (I'm also on my 7th day of quitting smoking, so I don't have my normal crutch for relieving anxiety....) So, last night when I was very tired, very discouraged, and very freaked out, I decided to post this contest. My alternative was gonna be to call 'em up and tell 'em I had stomach flu and couldn't make the &%$#@ reading.
This seemed like the more honorable course. So, not only will you have a chance to win points and trophies, but you'll be doing me a big favor. A really, really* big favor.
To win the trophies and points, here's what you have to do:
1. For each entry, pick a poem of mine that you think I should read and tell me specifically why you think it would be a good choice for my reading. Put the title to my poem in your entry title area, and use the "poem" space in the entry to submit your comment/reasons for selecting that poem.
2. You may enter as many times as you like, and it is possible that one person may win all three trophies. However, the reading is on the 24th, so the contest will close and be judged before then.
3. I will accept ONLY ONE submission (the first recieved) of any single poem, unless you IM me first and tell me why you think you should be allowed to submit a poem that has already been entered by someone else. (If I agree, and subsequently choose to read that poem, I will award points and trophy only to the entry that provided the most convincing reason for submitting that particular poem.)
4. I DO want you to list the title of the poem (and a link to the poem, if you have that capability), and then tell me why you chose this particular poem as a candidate for my reading.
5. I do NOT want you to comment on the poem page or applaud it, and you won't win any extra points with me for doing this.
There will be at least one "winner" selected, and the Gold trophy and 300 points will be awarded to the author of that selected entry. I will award points to each of the other 2 trophy winning entries, and to a single honorable mention, if I select sufficient entries. I reserve the right to award only the Gold and 300 points, if there are not - in my opinion - entries sufficiently worthy of additional "wins".
Please don't waste my time whining about this contest, or calling me vile names. I know I'm a coward when it comes to this stuff...but, I've been known to stand down brutish and armed folks much larger and meaner than me...so, I am not gonna beat myself up about this foible.
I know it is odd. I know it is self-serving. I know it is not in keeping with what contests on AP generally are set up to do. But, I've run quite a few very successful and fair contests here on AP previously. I'm generous and hoorable as a contest judge, and - bottom line - they're my points so....get over it, or don't enter.
For those of you who do enter, I appreciate your willingness to help me out. I will be judging this contest before the reading...so, please hurry.
Thanks in advance, for your help.
And, good luck in the contest.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on February 24, 2005
- Rewards: Gold: 300
- Final notes: I am also awarding an Honorable Mention and 50 points to queenie for "Desire"; in addition, I'm awarding 50 points additionally to everyone who took their valuable time to give me help on this. It means to much to me.
Entries [3]
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This is not a poem.by x garamChai 37 lines, 1 comment, on Feb 22 3:13 PM 2005. In Other• Commented on by judge.
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by Starstruck 0 lines, 1 comment, on Feb 23 12:13 AM 2005. In Other• Commented on by judge.
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by IHeartFatBoyz 18 lines, 1 comment, on Feb 23 6:00 PM 2005. In Other• Commented on by judge.
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1 - 8 of 8-
Hi, you took the wind out of me, you are an excellent poet and know when you write something good,why I asked myself this comp? I hope you are not losing confidence in your self and your judgement,many people will look at a poem and if they relate to it they will go crazy about it,others will be technical,some will go for the feel,I think you are the best judge of your work by what I have seen in your poetry.you have a good command of both tech. and artistic feel,this is my personal opinion, I wish you all the best with this comp.hugs Di
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Thanks for the vote of confidence, Di. Your kind comments and support always mean a lot to me. But, right about now, all my poetry looks like ca-ca to me...and I'm really freaking out.
Funny thing is, I can stand up in front of any sized crowd and read someone else's writings all day long. But, I have a very tough time reading my own stuff. Asking me to pick which items to read is like pouring gasoline on an open flame....my anxiety just shoots through the roof and I can't even think straight. Literally.
So, now that you know what a coward I am at heart, will you still wanna read my poetry?
Sorry I'm not braver about this. I'm brave about a lot of other stuff...but, yellow to the bone on this score.
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Odd
This is odd... -
Hey, sorry for wasting your featured points without a promise of proper response, but I will try and do this for you when I have more time. It'll be bookmarked!
It deffinately is a strange idea for a competition, and I'm not sure I'd feel worthy of a trophy if I "won" it, but I guess it's an interesting way to get help.
Good luck with the reading! I'm sure it'll go great, and you'll forget what all the worry was about. You could eat that audience for breakfast from what I remember of your poems.
I will try and come back.
Oh, and that spinning kid is magnificantly frightening!
Mellor x -
we still love you
Desperate situations call for desperate measures. No, no one thinks you a coward. Just having an anxiety attack. Go with your gut instinct. Waiting for a plumber to arrive but will surely help you out later tonight...asking for help is not the cowards way out. But the stomach flu is. You would always have that "what if" haning over your head. Besides, something wonderful is waiting there for you. Something so totally unexpected.
~Michelle~
Edited on Feb 22, 3:04 p.m. because 'spelling error'. -
Hmm...I'll try to enter this, not for the points especially, but for your sake ^_^ Much love, hope your reading goes well
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Good Luck
I think this is a great way to get your poems out there and to help you with your probl.I wish you all the luck in the world,however I don't think I will enter,good luck... -
Sorry I got here late my friend, but I would like to add that it would be a great loss if the students did not hear you read your poem entitled Grandma's Hands Here is my inital comment on the poem.
"Grandmother's are such wonderful, rich gifts from God. This reminds me of my poem, "My Grandmother's Porch". I think it was the first or second poem I posted on this site. This is so beautiful. The images you have penned are absolutely astounding. The language is awesome. This is the most endearing poem I have read in years. This is a rich tribute to a history that your family should cherish. An Epic poem that should be in a book of great literature, so very descriptive. Perfect in every way. This is the winner!!! Thank you for sharing."
When I did finally come across this challenge. I went directly to this poem, re-read it and erupted in tears. I have been longing for the touch of my grandmother lately. This poem would surely stir great emotion in the room.
I have had lots of recitals where I could not decide which poems to share. This is a great idea, and I will certainly borrow it the next time I am to speak. It would surely limit my frustration.
Have Fun!
Renee ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
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