Had this great conversation with my husband who is a non-writer, only reads my poetry (because I make him) about poets. It went something like this:
Me: So did you like it?
Him: Ya good one honey, don't think I understand it all though.
Me: Do you want me to explain it to you?
Him: No, only another poet would understand.
Me: What do you mean by that.
Him: You know, your a different kind of people.
Me: Elaborate please.
Him: You know Kel, if I had to write about something in poetic form I couldn't do it.
Me: Why do you think that is.
Him: BECAUSE YOUR DIFFERENT!!!
Me: How am I different other than the obvious reasons?
Him: You want honesty?
Me: Yes.
Him: Well poets write with emotion, so therefore
they are more emotional people.
Me: So you think we are more in touch with our feelings than say for instance people like you?
Him: Yes more emotional, able to express feelings in words. Different breed of humans.
Me: So you don't think say a Soldier would write poetry? Or say a police officer because their tough and show little emotion in their jobs?
Him: Now you've got it!
Me: I happen to know for a fact that people with jobs of all kinds write poetry.
Him: Even a soldier?
Me: Yes I know several on AP.
Him: Silence..........NO WAY!
And it went on like this for some time.
This contest is for you to tell me if poets are "different." And if you believe we are "different" I want to know why you think we are.
Are we more emotional people, or are we just better equipped to put our feelings out there?
Do we see Nature differently, are we more moved by a colorful sunset than by someone who doesn't write?
Hmmmmm......things to ponder.
My non-writer husband is going to help me judge this contest! He said if he really likes more than one poem he just might buy me some more points to throw around! He's a great guy!
O.K. Rules
New poems only I like 'em fresh!
Please spell check
no sticky caps
no erotica
no foul language (my husband does enough of that)
And put "For Bob" in the comments box! My husband will like that!
O.K. thats it for now, see you at the finish line...
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on August 15, 2007
- Rewards: Gold: 1000, Silver: 600, Bronze: 300, Honorable mention: 3 people
- Final notes: Thank you to all the fabulous poets who entered this contest! It was amazing. Seems the census is that poets are different. In the fact that they can put into words what they see, feel, and hear. Your all amazing, and each poem had a special message.
Bob says, "Thanks for taking the time to enter this contest, and for doing such a great job. I stated that poets are different, I hope I did not offend anyone as that was not my intention. I just truly beleive in my heart that a poet carries a special talent not everyone has, thus making them different." I find different a good thing. Take care!
Contest Winners
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Nothing actually MAKES a poet
nor is one born that way• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
you can't feel it
but you'll know how i felt• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
You throw around numbers, bash me with graphs,by alexandrathegreat 43 lines, 1 comment, on Aug 14 11:04 PM 2007. In Contemporary, Thoughts, Personal
Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
by Freed by Mercy 17 lines, 5 comments, on Aug 11 12:39 PM 2007. In Thoughts on poetry Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Gold trophy winner
Bronze trophy winner
Entries [21]
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Grandma and Grandpa
singing in and out of harmonyby Alikilie 14 lines, 6 comments, on Aug 8 10:10 PM 2007• Commented on by judge. -
Why would I capture wings a-fire
In sunset’s gilding glare;by micol 22 lines, 18 comments, on Aug 8 10:13 PM 2007. In Poetry on poetry• Commented on by judge. -
How I miss your metallic blue, dipped
in succulent beauty of turquoise hue!• Commented on by judge. -
A poet could be anybody,
Just trying to survive the day...• Commented on by judge. -
Old Earl the simple plumber man Stands and looks where drips once ran• Commented on by judge.
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a symphony of new-baked bread:
woodwinds wafting warm roasted-nut exhalations,by Mirthryl 45 lines, 8 comments, on Aug 11 4:29 PM 2007• Commented on by judge. -
by March Muffin 20 lines, 2 comments, on Aug 12 9:26 AM 2007. In Contemporary• Commented on by judge.
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A severed link has washed my hands
of all in life I could have had,• Commented on by judge. -
For those who have a sixth sense
One that none can comprehend• Commented on by judge.
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Comments
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This is too funny. That conversation that you had with Bob - it is identical to one I had with my hubby Bill! They just don't get it!
I am bookmarking this and will return!
- joanne
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LMAO - I have been told I am a good writer because I am overemotional.
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Hey Bob
Us poets are just a bunch of words floating in air for all to breathe...take a deep breath, we all breathe the same air...it only has different density. -
But of course he is right--poets ARE different.
Better.
Just paraphrasing people like Sir Philip Sydney (a soldier, statesman, courtier, and poet--the most admired man in the 1570s), Shelley, and others. Up until the 20th century, in fact, the poet was among the most esteemed roles in Western civilization. Shakespeare was honored as the most influential person of the last 1,000 years. Now THAT's different.
One of the first things I tell my students is that by virtue of the fact of having written a poem--no matter its "quality"--they are superior human beings, courageous and imaginative.
And the most spectacular thing about it is that, as you say, being a poet cuts across all social and cultural boundaries. -
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wow your answer sounded like something I would have said if I had the brains.
I should copy and cut it out and put it on my desk for my friends that think to themselves "she's an odd duck that one, you know she writes them things, oh you know like teachers made us do in school"
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Kewl... i'd like to believe what micol here says... but i don't think poets are superior human beings... we're just as you said more (in touch with) aware of our emotions... the same with anything else, if you're going to create something you have to analyze it, understand how it's built first. So like if it's a poem it's mostly made up of "feelings" + a little of talent as far as communication abilities go... sigh~ obviously, I don't have much of the "talent" aspect... as I find I've sort of rambled on... lol lol... but you get what i mean. So might be back for this one if I find the time... good luck with the contest! later~
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Ill return with my write for this and bookmarked
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wow, no kidding man, that really is interesting. i guess i should enter.
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Great contest, I hope you get many wonderful entries. I think everyone has the capacity to be able to write a poem, some are just better able to express it than others. A person can be very moved by a sunset and yet keep their thoughts and feelings to themself, some might ignore the opportunity, some might disregard it. I agree that emotional people can make very good poets but so can people who aren't as emotional. It's just like any hobby ( or job ) you get different people all doing the same thing, all with the same title, but all very different people, doing the same thing differently. I don't know if I make any sense, and that's just my opinion (which ain't worth a dime!) Good luck and take care x
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As far as I recall from Aristotle, the one thing that cannot be taught in writing poetry is "metaphor", by which he means not the figure of speech, but the perception of the underlying something common to two apparently disparate phenomena. Since it is the ONLY thing that cannot be taught, it follows that this is the ONLY thing that distinguishes the poet from the non-poet.
It is this heightened perception that matters - not emotion. (Remember Keats: The poet and the dreamer are distinct! - and the over-emotional dreamer "venoms all his days"- look it up if you have a Keats handy - it is Moneta's long speech in the Revision of Hyperion...
Remember, too, that the word poet means "maker" -and that the poet is therefore what J.R.R.Tolkein called a "subscreator" of a "secondary world"..
And such creation seems to me impossible if one is emoting all over the place.
Controlled "recollection of emotion in tranquility" (Wordsworth) yes... but that control is vital...
Hence Mayakovsky's advice to poets (especially young poets- never to send out their work immediately, but to let it mature in the drawer for several months before revision.
What he would have said about the "quick response" competitions of Allpoetry I hate to imagine!
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we are different than other people.. I half think the other half has no tact, nor wit.
hahahaha
Good luck to anyone entering -
what poem of your didn't he get
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There is at least one police officer on AP!
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Thank You
Thank you for the placing in this contest it was a pleasure to be able to write a poem for. Well done to all the other winners and to everyone else that entered i send my best wishes to you all. Good luck everyone in your future Poetic ventures Brian. -
Thank you for hosting such a thought provoking contest, and for the honorable mention.
Congrats to the winners
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