Lately I've been writing some poems about history, and I realized just how much subject matter there is in history for poems. Literally years worth of writing material. So this contest will be for poems based on history (not your past, history). However, it's not that simple. I'm really not into actual history, as in dry facts stuff. I don't want you to say 'and then this guy did that' and so on and so forth. B-o-r-i-n-g. I want the emotions and reasons behind what someone did, and his/her point of view on it (for an example, look at my poem 'Jeanne'). Or, give me the emotions/reasons behind an event (for an example, read my poem 'Breathe'). This subject gives you a million topics to write about; I'm expecting some great stuff. If you are unsure whether your poem fits what I'm looking for, or if you have any other questions, just im me.
~*I will be gone from the 16th to the 23rd, so be patient with me; I'll get the judging done as quickly as possible. Hopefully by the 26th or so.
Gold-300
Silver-200
Bronze-100
Honorable Mention-At least 20 apiece
*these are subject to change, but will only go up!!*
Rules
1. No cussing
2. No erotica
3. No sticky caps or chat lingo
4. Read one of my poems and comment, please. If you are into history, you can read Jeanne or Breathe, but any of my other ones are fine. New ones are best. Thanks!
5. If you break the rules I'll dq you. Obviously.
Hints (you get brownie pts for these but they won't kill you if you don't do them):
-I'm a grammar freak, so try to use correct punctuation etc.
-Spell your words correctly
-I rhyme in all my poems (nothing wrong with free verse but rhyming shows more effort)
-I like good comments, not 'wow this is good!' or 'this sucks.' If it's bad, tell me why so I can fix it, if it's good, tell me how so I can do it again.
Good luck everyone!
SaM
~*I will be gone from the 16th to the 23rd, so be patient with me; I'll get the judging done as quickly as possible. Hopefully by the 26th or so.
Gold-300
Silver-200
Bronze-100
Honorable Mention-At least 20 apiece
*these are subject to change, but will only go up!!*
Rules
1. No cussing
2. No erotica
3. No sticky caps or chat lingo
4. Read one of my poems and comment, please. If you are into history, you can read Jeanne or Breathe, but any of my other ones are fine. New ones are best. Thanks!
5. If you break the rules I'll dq you. Obviously.
Hints (you get brownie pts for these but they won't kill you if you don't do them):
-I'm a grammar freak, so try to use correct punctuation etc.
-Spell your words correctly
-I rhyme in all my poems (nothing wrong with free verse but rhyming shows more effort)
-I like good comments, not 'wow this is good!' or 'this sucks.' If it's bad, tell me why so I can fix it, if it's good, tell me how so I can do it again.
Good luck everyone!
SaM
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on July 27, 2005
- Rewards: Gold: 300
- Final notes: Wow I’d like to first say you guys rock for commenting on each other’s poems without me even asking. That was really admirable. Second of all, you guys taught me so much history! I didn’t realize how much I’d learn when I started this contest. All your poems were interesting. And the thing you’ve all been waiting for… the winners! I’ll include a brief description about why each of the trophy winners won.
Gold (300 pts)-Masquerade Mannequin by SineDie
Powerful imagery set a stunning scene. Emotions were revealed or pieced together. Rhymes were almost all dead on, and the rhythm flowed constant throughout. This one truly sent me back to history until I felt like I was right there. The conclusion was also fantastic.
Silver (200 pts)- The Last Battle of Knights Templar (May 15th 1290) by masterblaster
Again, great rhyming. So much history was poured into this; I really felt like I knew the culture and all by the end of the poem. I wish there had been a little more emotion, but it hinted at it enough that I could understand the feelings of the people involved. Magnificent descriptions.
Bronze (100 pts)- Letter Home from Hadrian's Wall by Keith
I must say of all of them, this one had the most perfect rhyme and meter. Not a single forced rhyme, not even one. I really liked the emotions in this one; you could feel Julius’ misery at being there. I enjoyed the Latin, that really added to the cultural feel.
Gold Honorable Mentions (30 pts):
Good Old Southern Charm by Queen
Arise, Ye Proletarians by Tahutihotep
In Reference to the Small Slain Child by Ivorygarden
~Lament for the Loss~ by Annalise
Silver Honorable Mentions (25 pts):
Sam Salt by sevenofnine
I Yessë En Mentë by Rous
Finding Private Ryan by mamad
Bronze Honorable Mentions (20 pts):
The Unknown Soldier by madchillie
Untitled (History) by Anariel Calmcacil
Thanks again to all of you!
Entries [13]
1 - 13 of 13
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• Commented on by judge.
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Remember, remember the unknown soldier,
Only 16 and not a day older,• Commented on by judge. -
Arise, Ye Proletarians!
It's time to make a stand!by NeferMaatNetjer 26 lines, 6 comments, on Apr 30 12:39 PM 2004. In Contemporary• Commented on by judge. -
Salve, Mater, it's Julius here
Hope this arrives some time this year,• Commented on by judge. -
Rage whips white horses, unbridled ride
On turquoise ,green, and azure waves.• Commented on by judge. -
A man with a destiny once walked among us• Commented on by judge.
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They keep their hope
They possess a bravery none of us shall know....• Commented on by judge. -
I feel I need to take a stand,
But I also know I can't do a thing.• Commented on by judge. -
THE NIGHT AIR WAS DAMP AND CHILLY YET THE SKY AND OCEAN REMAINED CALM.
PASSENGERS RELAXED AND ENJOYING THERE JOURNEY NO NEED FOR ANY FEAR OR ALARM.by th018q4644 42 lines, 1 comment, on Jul 18 6:28 AM 2005. In Other• Commented on by judge. -
The countries wage for power,
Aye, such a useless dream!• Commented on by judge. -
A man of wisdom you bear that name,
one who has great glory and fame.• Commented on by judge.
Bronze trophy winner
Silver trophy winner
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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I disagree that rhyme in poems requires more effort.....
No Offense intended, or anything, but many people rhyme and it gets old....as an author it gets boring and somewhat repetative....I feel it takes alot more effort to write a truly effective and emotional poem to reflect your views than make a simple rhyme....for instance it is harder to keep flow and alliteration in free verse randomized sonnets than in a steady poem that rhymes....
this is not to say that a free verse poem is, or can, always be better...I think just depends on the subject and the writer...
Anyway, before i bore you, I would like to say that i'll enter you contest and i wish it to go as smoothly as possible...
Hope to talk to ya later...
Peace and love...
Matt -
A rhyming poem should be effective and emotional too; it shouldn't just rhyme. All the things you're saying a non-rhyming poem should do are what a rhyming poem should do too, only compounded with rhyming. I guess to me MOST (not all) non-rhyming poems to me just sound like people venting or writing out thoughts willy-nilly. Nothing wrong with just flat out writing out your thoughts, but to me that's not poetry. Even when I read true greats like Walt Whitman, I'm still not a big fan of free verse. In response to your thought that rhyming gets old, I would say then what doesn't? Cadence? Cataloguing? Even emotion itself. If a basic tool like rhyming can get old then what can't? Also, if you're reading a poem and thinking about the rhyming, then you can't be reading a good rhyming poem. True rhyme is so unforced and flowing that rather than drawing attention to itself, it is actually less noticeable. It should be so subtle that it adds to the pulse of the poem without you ever thinking too hard about it. If you are thinking about the rhyme, or looking back to check a rhyme, or anything like that, then the rhyme is forced. Gag. The worst part of rhyming poems. I'm not saying I'm perfect at it, but I'm getting better. I think you are very mistaken in your opinions about rhyme, and I hope you will read some classic, great poets to get a feel for what I'm talking about. I hope I have not offended you; I'm incredibly frank, but if you didn't want an honest answer, you wouldn't have spoken out like that.
Thanks for your probity and candidness!
SaM
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I've got a question about ur contest...I've already entered something, but then realized that I have one that'd be even better qualified...can I enter two? if not, that's cool and I'll just use the one I already entered...cool contest, by the way!
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You can enter as many as you like. Glad you like my contest!
SaM
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thanks so much!
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As a history freak (among others
)I think this is an awesome contest! I'm going to enter something that can be considered historical (if you believe the christian myths) and if you don't like it, or think it doesn't fit then just remove it, because I'll be back with another one (oh, yeah!). I have alot of material for this, though I hate to disappoint because I hate rhyming 
Good luck with your contest.
Bestest wishes & other mushy gushy stuff
~Meli~
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Thanks for the honorable mention and the points! This was such a fantastic contest. Thank you for taking the time to hold it.
Katie -
Thank you for the honorable mention and the points
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Hi, thank you for the silver,Di
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Thankyou very much for my honorable mention (and the twenty points!)
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Thank you so very much for the gold honorable mention and the points. This was a wonderful contest!
Bestest wishes & all that other mushy, gushy stuff ~Meli~
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1I can only say thank in so many ways for picking my poem for first place. I truly appreicate it!!!
It was very kind of you and fopr your comments on my poem! I also would like to say congrats to all of those who have won, recieved honorable mentions, and who have netered because they were all very informative and beautiful 
~~~~~Always Kat~~~~ -
It's an honour to be placed in your competition. You've really spent time on reading the entries and your comments are detailed and full of insight. Best Wishes and Congratulations to all other entrants. Loads of Virtual Cheers!
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