I've really been drawing this out but the winners will be thoroughly rewarded. Basically I want Gold at this point. I've got myself some finalists but nothing so far to make me tremble in awe. So if your entering one that might be good enough as in just maybe Ill snatch that HM, then step back a bit. I Just want to end this. So force me from miles away with nothing but your thoughts.
if it doesn't come bursting out of you
in spite of everything,
don't do it.
unless it comes unasked out of your
heart and your mind and your mouth
and your gut,
don't do it.
if you have to sit for hours
staring at your computer screen
or hunched over your
typewriter
searching for words,
don't do it.
if you're doing it for money or
fame,
don't do it.
if you're doing it because you want
women in your bed,
don't do it.
if you have to sit there and
rewrite it again and again,
don't do it.
if it's hard work just thinking about doing it,
don't do it.
if you're trying to write like somebody
else,
forget about it.
if you have to wait for it to roar out of
you,
then wait patiently.
if it never does roar out of you,
do something else.
if you first have to read it to your wife
or your girlfriend or your boyfriend
or your parents or to anybody at all,
you're not ready.
don't be like so many writers,
don't be like so many thousands of
people who call themselves writers,
don't be dull and boring and
pretentious, don't be consumed with self-
love.
the libraries of the world have
yawned themselves to
sleep
over your kind.
don't add to that.
don't do it.
unless it comes out of
your soul like a rocket,
unless being still would
drive you to madness or
suicide or murder,
don't do it.
unless the sun inside you is
burning your gut,
don't do it.
when it is truly time,
and if you have been chosen,
it will do it by
itself and it will keep on doing it
until you die or it dies in you.
there is no other way.
and there never was.
-Charles Bukowski
Just because you can speak a language and have access to pen and paper does not make you a writer. The entirely trite ability to situate words into sentences determines nothing. Bukowski is right in what he said, and I want you all to think on it. No, do not write me a poem about it. Let it permeate your every thought so those ideas may seep into your understanding.
The other day I saw painting that had a quote written in its topmost corner. It said "Great artists are always afraid that they are the emperor in new clothes. The trouble is bad artists feel the same way." Perhaps no one is truly to blame for bad art, but please, I've had enough here.
I have completely revamped this contest to focus on a new direction. How plain can it be? I've added another 500 points with the taxing hope of quite simply, damn fine poetry. I want entries so excellent I don’t even deserve to read them. As such, any fictioneers present here run the risk of hearing a piss pot of naughty words.
Almost sincerely,
Someone you are not likely to meet
if it doesn't come bursting out of you
in spite of everything,
don't do it.
unless it comes unasked out of your
heart and your mind and your mouth
and your gut,
don't do it.
if you have to sit for hours
staring at your computer screen
or hunched over your
typewriter
searching for words,
don't do it.
if you're doing it for money or
fame,
don't do it.
if you're doing it because you want
women in your bed,
don't do it.
if you have to sit there and
rewrite it again and again,
don't do it.
if it's hard work just thinking about doing it,
don't do it.
if you're trying to write like somebody
else,
forget about it.
if you have to wait for it to roar out of
you,
then wait patiently.
if it never does roar out of you,
do something else.
if you first have to read it to your wife
or your girlfriend or your boyfriend
or your parents or to anybody at all,
you're not ready.
don't be like so many writers,
don't be like so many thousands of
people who call themselves writers,
don't be dull and boring and
pretentious, don't be consumed with self-
love.
the libraries of the world have
yawned themselves to
sleep
over your kind.
don't add to that.
don't do it.
unless it comes out of
your soul like a rocket,
unless being still would
drive you to madness or
suicide or murder,
don't do it.
unless the sun inside you is
burning your gut,
don't do it.
when it is truly time,
and if you have been chosen,
it will do it by
itself and it will keep on doing it
until you die or it dies in you.
there is no other way.
and there never was.
-Charles Bukowski
Just because you can speak a language and have access to pen and paper does not make you a writer. The entirely trite ability to situate words into sentences determines nothing. Bukowski is right in what he said, and I want you all to think on it. No, do not write me a poem about it. Let it permeate your every thought so those ideas may seep into your understanding.
The other day I saw painting that had a quote written in its topmost corner. It said "Great artists are always afraid that they are the emperor in new clothes. The trouble is bad artists feel the same way." Perhaps no one is truly to blame for bad art, but please, I've had enough here.
I have completely revamped this contest to focus on a new direction. How plain can it be? I've added another 500 points with the taxing hope of quite simply, damn fine poetry. I want entries so excellent I don’t even deserve to read them. As such, any fictioneers present here run the risk of hearing a piss pot of naughty words.
Almost sincerely,
Someone you are not likely to meet
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on August 24, 2007
- Rewards: Gold: 1000, Silver: 350, Bronze: 150, Honorable mention: 5 people
- Final notes: I apologize for dragging this out so long. I think I found some excellant entries and thank you to everyone who entered. I may as yet comment on more of the poems but I have found my finalists. It was very difficult to decide the top three and I rearranged their places many times. Also those who got honorable mention should know that your poems are very worthwhile as well. There are some outstanding thoughts in the verses here and I'm pleased to have read them. Thanks all
Contest Winners
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As the one seventh becomes the seven eighths Then the angels fell.by daisygoose 30 lines, 2 comments, on Aug 15 11:51 AM 2007. In Spiritual, Thoughts
Bronze trophy winner
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i. / When the woman was a girl / the world was measured in big toes and / hands and she drew crosses for plaits / and watched her shadow dance / And when she was a girl / she watched ants migrate vast plains• Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove]
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• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
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I have wandered into a carnal house,
with red drapes.
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The Irish Potato Famine
How to compare• Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
by file not found 23 lines, 4 comments, on Jul 10 6:29 AM 2007. In Personal• Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove]
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The coming of the green is
Gradual as• Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
by Kaleidoscopeyes 19 lines, 10 comments, on Jul 29 9:55 PM 2007. In Sad• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 3276780, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
Gold trophy winner
Silver trophy winner
Honorable mention
Entries [62]
1 - 62 of 62
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Most people live their life on assumptions• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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Walking on this brick road to nowhere, / I broke away from the caravan. / All the blissful leaves and shady trees / Were far too beautiful to stand. / I've seen many come to drink from this fountain, / But O!by morganaxash 13 lines, 1 comment, on Jun 29 2:24 PM 2007• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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This is so short, I just can't let you read the whole thing here!
by Zephyr Aryn 6 lines, 8 comments, on Jun 26 9:51 AM 2007. In Thoughts, Cinquain, Contest, Art, Writing, Pencil, Inspirational• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
The stars have left / To sleep away the day / But the moon remains / While its life wanes away / What are you doing little moon? / It’s too late to play / What are you doing little moon? / You’ll die if you stay• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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For my gf, Quiet-Thunder-Lady, who's eyes say it all.
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Merrily making melodies to play / Across the milky way I dance / Chances are you've seen me / When I'm caught up within my trance / I listeby 2lullabyhaven 23 lines, 20 comments, on Jun 12 10:02 PM 2007. In Personal, Thoughts, Lyrics, Love, Life, Contest, Friendship• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Life's serious questions......
by Jiyo 54 lines, 3 comments, on Jul 15 9:53 PM 2007. In very somber and......no, this is all a complete joke• Commented on by judge. Prewrite -
You ask me / What is your wish, babygirl? / My wish / Is that you would raise me / To see that people are never what they seem / Masks hide / Scars from hardcore fights / My wish / Is that you would raise meby KittieLyyn 79 lines, 14 comments, on Jul 11 9:44 PM 2007• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Cheap as sin.
Flaming questions• Commented on by judge. Prewrite -
by Glasyalabolas 44 lines, 9 comments, on May 24 8:26 AM 2007. In Thoughts, Hope, Spiritual, Nature, Fantasy, Lost in thought, My own style, Freewrite• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Lonely and depressed / A girl set to be dead / Laid back and ready to rest / A victim at night / A killer at day / No wonder she has nothinby the-gifted 30 lines, 3 comments, on Jun 28 5:15 PM 2007. In dark• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Blankets in backseats and guitars on love seatsby coin operated benji 29 lines, 14 comments, on Jun 9 11:20 PM 2007. In Love, Lyrics, Personal, Virginity• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Nobody even knows
The pain I won't let showby SpiritTorn2Pieces 29 lines, 15 comments, on Apr 13 6:14 PM 2006. In Angst• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
Remember actions have consequences, / That ain't usually good, / So I wish I could feel, / The way that I should, / But I'm sorry I don't,by Ilma 56 lines, 2 comments, on Jun 25 8:02 AM 2007• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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I see you over there,
your hair hiding your face.by CoveredInTheBlood 15 lines, 7 comments, on Apr 3 5:53 PM 2007• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
I ate dried mammary dust that stuck to the inside your diaphragm when you sang too hard the night before, and I watched as your proclivityby shirk 20 lines, 6 comments, on Jul 28 4:05 AM 2007• Viewed by judge.
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Somebody save us from this sinking ship / The survivors are restless in their rooms / All the gold plated girls, dead in the water / The suby HailTheHeartBreaker 24 lines, 1 comment, on Jul 27 6:15 PM 2007• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Using both hands, / fingers moving like / a magician's casting / a spell he doesn't / know well. Irratic. / Without grace. / / Grasping at water / flowing faster / through seivelike / fingers that areby Tamera 33 lines, 8 comments, on May 11 8:58 AM 2007• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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An Islamic sliver of moon rises-- a scythe without a hammer. In the Indian-corn-blue sky of early evening--by J. Peoples 43 lines, 16 comments, on Nov 29 3:35 PM 2007. In Society, Personal, Contemporary, Beat• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Mornings smelling sweet, dew clinging to window screens, / Cool precious bite of the chilled air , / Wind inducing the sound of rustling, / Glorious hues bounding from tree to tree. / Delicate as colored tissu• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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by Nobody Royale 18 lines, 3 comments, on Jul 27 12:05 AM 2007. In Contest• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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I walk along the lane scattered full of lilies It looks like its going to rain• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Bitter pages written
of imaginary life askewby AngelDeAmor 24 lines, 2 comments, on Aug 9 11:44 AM 2007• Viewed by judge. -
We're seperated by a wall. / That's how it's always gonna be. / I'll try to destroy it, / But I can't do it without your help, you see? / I• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Living in the country Surrounded by flowersby maggiejamespoet 21 lines, 10 comments, on Aug 15 3:45 PM 2007. In Contest, Nature, Personal, Learning
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by Athena of Starlite 72 lines, 14 comments, on Aug 15 12:40 AM 2007• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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the lake is there,
completely prepared.by FoolTouchstone 198 lines, 1 comment, on Aug 11 9:01 PM 2007• Viewed by judge. -
Golden oceans / or so I thought at first / As it twirled its way around my world / curling, gently / as her lips slowly curved / Sparking a• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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If you can't give words a language,
You don't deserve a tongue.• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
Murder of crows
Musn't rain on candyfloss feelings• Commented on by judge. -
She is hurting inside,
she understands all too well.• Commented on by judge. -
Graceful hands play the strings of my heart,
Pale slender fingers gently playing music in my soul,• Commented on by judge. Prewrite -
• Commented on by judge.
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• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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Reduced to less than we'd care to admit,
burnt and blackened beyond recognition,by Intravenous Jesus 29 lines, 9 comments, on Aug 11 8:30 AM 2007• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
Tomorrow next hospital treatment. Well, at least will see some outside life. last time was great. Even though of course screwed up again. told daughter yesterday. she said I should be muzzled. Well someone told me that beforeby michichoeret 9 lines, 4 comments, on Aug 15 10:28 AM 2007• Viewed by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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Bravo! Well said
All the best with this~
gaylene
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Hi, your intro made me smile, yes they do like putting a list mainly of stupid things, and love to threaten, almost like saying I'm the big boss and you will do as I wish ,no matter how stupid,lol, courage my friend it takes all sorts to make a world, all the best in your contest,Di
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Hmmm.... I ADORE the title of this contest!
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ha ha i agree with you. i got DQ from a contest the other simply because i put one rhyme word in by accident and because i had written 8 poems in under two hours. and i had a go at the judge because she gave me no warning and it was unfair judging -stamps my foot down- good luck on the comp ill be sure to enter
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Would it be fair to say that if I entered a poem that you read of mine the other day and didn't comment on, that it will not be commented on again? Tough being a hostess!
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Im sorry I didnt comment earlier on your piece. I'll try to say something for everyone on this contest. When I'm just cruising around I dont usually comment, though I probably should. Thanks for coming by and have a good one.
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BTW
I love Walter. -
I agree with every bloody thing you say! Huzzah and good luck with your contest x
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i like your contest... so i will enter! cause im tired of all the rules 2!
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lol That poem up there was really cool! It's definitely true! lol I guess I have to wait for some time though to actually write something that is roaring out of me because it seems like my muse on on another holiday
hehe. hope you get loads of entries. nice contest too
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Never a truer word spoken! Kudos
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Before using a foreign language, get it right. On ne trouve pas "e" dans le mot "saison".
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This is a great contest, and after reading your finalists, I'm fairly certain you're only looking for the best, as you've said before.
Therefore, I think I'm sitting this one out. However, I wonder if I give you a few points you'd put them towards another contest to hold in the future? -
you said it all so well and I hope you have a very succesful contest [unfortunately I do not have the time to enter , but might catch you next time]. Best wishes,
reenie
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Great contest! But I don't think I'm good enough to enter...
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comment on my poem, please?
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Thank you for the shiny thing
congrats to the other winners
Adding your comment:
1 - 17 of 17
