Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Enchanted Mystress, Gets Better, Lucain Valcor, and all of you who participated, either by submitting poems or by reading and commenting.
Most of us are probably familiar with the contention that living or being in the country brands you as a 'hick,' a 'redneck,' or 'country.' All stereotypes aside, I'd like those of you who know anything about country living to reach deep inside yourselves for some country pride, and write about what's good about living in a rural setting, being a farmer, rancher, agricultural worker, hunter, fisher, or whatever might be associated with being hick.
If you live next to a junk yard and can find some beauty in that, by all means write about what it's like to live by or work in a junk yard. If your family goes to NASCAR, write about that. If your pa is a shade tree mechanic, or your brother is a grease monkey, some country men and women including myself would like to read or hear about it. Come to think of it, write about the pain or ugliness you experience, if that's what you sense, be real. It may come out better poetry because it's authentic.
I'm something of an anarchist, so i won't burden you with rules, except that you mind that the work you submit is your own, and if you do borrow from some one, you use either quotes or you paraphrase, and list your source in the author's comments. You would be well advised to ask the source if they mind, if you can, but if there's no time, follow the advice of your lawyer and the mods at AP.
Thanks to Enchanted Mystress, Gets Better, Lucain Valcor, and all of you who participated, either by submitting poems or by reading and commenting.
Most of us are probably familiar with the contention that living or being in the country brands you as a 'hick,' a 'redneck,' or 'country.' All stereotypes aside, I'd like those of you who know anything about country living to reach deep inside yourselves for some country pride, and write about what's good about living in a rural setting, being a farmer, rancher, agricultural worker, hunter, fisher, or whatever might be associated with being hick.
If you live next to a junk yard and can find some beauty in that, by all means write about what it's like to live by or work in a junk yard. If your family goes to NASCAR, write about that. If your pa is a shade tree mechanic, or your brother is a grease monkey, some country men and women including myself would like to read or hear about it. Come to think of it, write about the pain or ugliness you experience, if that's what you sense, be real. It may come out better poetry because it's authentic.
I'm something of an anarchist, so i won't burden you with rules, except that you mind that the work you submit is your own, and if you do borrow from some one, you use either quotes or you paraphrase, and list your source in the author's comments. You would be well advised to ask the source if they mind, if you can, but if there's no time, follow the advice of your lawyer and the mods at AP.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on February 5, 2006
- Rewards: Gold: 500
- Final notes: As you can see by reading the comments, this contest was not easy to judge, not at all. But I had fun! Honorable Mention to Pinhead for Five Acres, Moonshadow for The Lake, and Dusk till Dawn for The Great Oak Tree. First prize in the Juniors Category is Shadow Fairy of Twi, for The Country Girl in Me. Really, I feel that all of you all were winners, this contest surprised me very pleasantly in the great talent and variety that "cropped up" so to speak. Congratulations to all of you!
Entries [9]
1 - 9 of 9
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With our obsession
to please ourselves• Commented on by judge. -
Shafts of sunlight filter through
And dapple my hands and face• Commented on by judge. -
Gone Country in a weird humourous kind of way.• Commented on by judge.
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In the middle of a forest, standing tgirty meters tall
is the great oak tree, watching over allby selina sanderson 18 lines, 6 comments, on Jan 31 8:27 AM 2006. In Nature• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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He that placed seeds into the ground
will provide thoughout his landsby selina sanderson 21 lines, 2 comments, on Feb 2 3:32 PM 2006. In Nature• Commented on by judge. -
Caring for cows is country, caring for cows is cool• Commented on by judge.
Silver trophy winner
Bronze trophy winner
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Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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Great contest idea
Hey. Great contest idea. I am a country girl and I love everything about the country even the disasters. I grew up on a property/ranch so I know what it is like to go through the ups and downs of country life and the outback here in Australia.
I did have a poem entered here but I decided I would delete it and write a fresh one for this contest. I will get to it and post it as soon as I can. Good luck with the judging and I hope you get many entries.
Countrybabe
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Having grown up on a farm and gone to a little one room schoolhouse in Missouri, I have a bit of an idea about "country". However, I have very few poems about that period of my life. The one I entered happens to be a humorous one, so it might not meet the standards you've set. In any case, it's all I have right now.
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Hi dear,
I do not know, what to say.
Overjoyous is less for this honor of Gold Medal.
It is not the gold medal for which I am overjoyous...
I am honestly in delirium for touching a chord in you through this poem.
Inspite of exchange of some opinions,may not be pleasant aparently, I shall say with all humility,
"it is not my win ... it is the win of country love and the poetic feelings and concern amongst both of us".
Cheers for that!
Congrats to other medal winners and best wishes to all.
Sing sweet songs and live long life,
ManojAnmol
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Congrats to ALL Participants
Congrats to all the winners and participants in an excellently run contest!! **APPLAUDS**
Marianne -
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!! :F
Iwould like to take the time to thank you for having me partake in your contest, I enjoyed writing for you, although I did not win, I trulu believe that we all are winners for we all have this special art in our hearts, and thought, again, thank you, until next time. AngelicMistress -
Congrats to the winners and thanks for the mention. great contest!
Peace -
Thou poet, this bard doth challenge thee to l
ecrivain:
Please do not think that i did not enjoy reading and sharing your poem. I sincerely hope that you do join us again in contest, as warriors of the ancient Argives and Achaeans upon the fields of Troy, or as worthy opponents on the basket ball court.
You, sir, ecrivain the 01st, have shared your proverbial wisdom, saying "A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom."
You have written 4207 critiques, 212 poems, but 4 days ago you wrote:
"Having grown up on a farm and gone to a little one room schoolhouse in Missouri, I have a bit of an idea about "country". However, I have very few poems about that period of my life. The one I entered happens to be a humorous one, so it might not meet the standards you've set."
Who am i to set standards? i am but an alcoholic junk man who stands in for teachers once in a while. i am but a recovering addict, who for twelve years survived the ravages of being homeless through the Carter, Reagan, and Papa Bush years. If i meet you at the jousting fields of your own choosing, i shall gladly submit to the standards you set.
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