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Engraved Memories (Take 2)

“Don't be dismayed at goodbyes, a farewell is necessary before you can meet again and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.” ~ Richard Bach

*DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF PARTICPATION, I HAVE DECIDED TO EXTEND THIS CONTEST ANOTHER 10 DAYS (to Dec 31, New Years Eve) THIS MAY BE SHORTNED, SO CHECK-IN AGAIN*

*I have also, due to some technical and personal issues, have allowed Mike Howes to co-judge the contest, in case of an extended leave of mine. So, you may juat get his feedback, you may get mine. He may pick you, I may pick you. Thanks, Scot *

As some of you may know, I have been on this site for just over a year, and on this day last year, I created the original Engraved Memories. I've decided, out of want of tradition, to rerun this contest every Dec 7.

This particular 'Take' is dedicated to 2 people I have known and lost since the last contest:

Former AP member, and my friend, Lionslove
(Dec 28, 2006)
and
My great grandfather, Pappa.
(Aug 27, 2006)



~~~ * ~~~

It's time for special social gatherings once more...a time of bonding, renewal, and joy...and a time of reflection.

I want everyone to write a piece in dedication or in reverence...I want them to share their stories with me, with others...and know they are not alone in loss, vent a little, and connect..with both others like them, and the ones who wont be here with us this year.

~~~ * ~~~

There will be 5 main options, with mini options...feel free to vary them up a bit, but I would like you to pass it by me first, if you do, for contest, and AP, purposes.

OPTIONS:

1) Write a poem about someone you know who has passed.

-Your reaction when they died
-Other's reactions to when they died, and or possibly any change in attitude towards you.
-Visiting their grave site and or at their memorial service

2) Write about someone you know, who knows someone who's passed.

-Your reaction
-Their reaction, and or how that effected your 'relationship' with them
-What you did for them
-Being at the grave site or memorial (as either a complete stranger, good friend to those left behind, etc)

3) Write about someone you've heard has passed, but did not know personally (i.e. a fellow classmate)

-Your reaction
-Other's reaction, and or how that effected your 'relationship' with them, or if you didn't know those effected, what did you feel as a stranger looking on.
-What you did for those effected, if you did
-Being at the grave site or memorial (as either a complete stranger, good friend for those left behind, etc)

4) Write about a hero of yours who's passed (i.e. role model, such as a star)

5) Write about how you feel at a memorial or grave site, either as a tourist to a Government or Military memorial place, local graveyard, etc.

*this year's addition*

6) Write about a Shooting- wether it be School, Mall, etc.

-Your reaction
-Other's reaction, and or how that effected your 'relationship' with them, or if you didn't know those effected, what did you feel as a stranger looking on.
-What you did for those effected, if you did
-Being at the grave site or memorial (as either a complete stranger, good friend for those left behind, etc)

There, lots of choices. But, as always, choices have to be limited:

Guidelines:

1) nO StIcKy CaPs or ALL CAPS...I don't mind creative expression, especially in this case, but I don't want a headache.
2) No bashing other poems, religion/belief systems/customs or people, especially in this case (Automatic DQ) (I prefer that you critique the other entries, it's nice)
3) No erotica..I know that sounds weird, but if someone has a "What I would do, if they were here", or "I remember when..." sort of (above PG) scenario, while I encourage such release, if it helps, I'd like to keep the contest as age-friendly as possible. Passion, though, is fine.
4) Emotion, obviously...I prefer no "fake" poems, or poems that you've created for the sake of creating...It has to be genuine.
5) Cussing is allowed, but keep it minimum.
6) You may mix up the options, at my consent. Any suggestions, you may message me.
7) Don't like my rules, leave.
8) The entry MUST be in ENGLISH, unless it's translated.
9) All entries must be marked appropriately.
10) The entry MUST be a poem, any form, though I prefer rhyme. If you really think you have a non-poem that is worth being in here, IM me, and I'll let you know if you may enter it.
11) Please make sure the entry is edited correctly, I don't want to be reading a bunch of typos, or trying to decode phrases or weird punctuation (or lack of).
12) Write RIP in you Author's Comment Box, so I know you've read and understand the rules, and the Option #, with preferably the option written.
13) I WILL NOT EXCEPT PREVIOUS ENTRIES. I'm sorry, but I don't want poems I have seen in last year's contest, especially the winners...the poets are free to enter a different piece though.

Please remember this contest is more for your sake than mine, and winners are more selected on mere expression, than on anything. I will add more than gold, if I have enough entries.

Any comments, suggestions, or questions, feel free to IM me...

NOTE: I don't mean to OFFEND anyone, so if somehow the contest content, topic, or pic bother you, IM ME IMMEDIATLY, so we may work it out...thank you.

I'll be commenting on every entry, if I can...though I DO reserve the right to DQ, or not comment on any I please (if it comes to that, you may IM me for justification, but I doubt it will come to it, but this is a precaution).

Don't enter to win...enter for the sake of thought and respect.

Contest is Over

  • Contest was judged on January 17, 2008
  • Rewards: Gold: 300, Silver: 150, Bronze: 75
  • Final notes:
    I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays, and I hope the new year brings new hapinesses. I'm awfully sorry this contest took SO long to judge...life is hectic. And I know it says the contest closed on "Jan 17" instead of the original "Dec 31", but I had to reopen it for this day, so I could edit the awards.

    These poems were absolutely heartbreaking, but I did pick three winners.

    Gold ~ 5 Stages of Grief
    Silver ~ Unknown Grief
    Bronze ~ The Unknown Solider

    I felt that these best expressed loss, not always their own. It was the memory that was important...and sure enough...it was quite present in all of these.

    Please remember, that all these poems were wonderful, and touching...what keeps those lost in this time, and so - winners. And can't truly be judged.

    "They are alive and well somewhere,
    The smallest sprout shows there is really no death,
    And if ever there was it led forward life, and does not wait at the
    end to arrest it,
    And ceas'd the moment life appear'd.

    All goes onward and outward, nothing collapses,
    And to die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier. " ~ Walt Whitman, 'Song of Myself'

    Thank you all...and I hope to see you active in my other contests, and Engraved Memories will be back next year, Dec 7 2008, for Take 3!

    ~ Gem

    PS If I failed to comment on your poem, which I should have gotten all, please let me know, and I will.

Contest Winners

  1. 5 Stages of Grief.
    Baby, i miss you more every second.
    But im slowly making my way through the cycle.
    by LeilaJayne 41 lines, 7 comments, on Dec 3 11:05 PM 2007. In sad, personal, grief, death, memory, missing
    Gold trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  2. Unknown Grief
    I stand here alone wondering why
    Why does this pain have to exist
    by ShadowsMidnightRose 48 lines, 10 comments, on Jan 17 12:31 PM 2008. In Pain, Love, Life, Sad, Personal, Memories
    Silver trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  3. The Unknown Soldier
    Standing there wondering, who could it be,
    by rat13 21 lines, 4 comments, on Dec 8 10:11 AM 2007. In Death, Other, Sad, Contest, War
    Bronze trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]

Entries [26]

1 - 26 of 26

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  • kyl1186
    December 20, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    "May angels Lead you in. Hear you me my friend. On sleepless roads the sleepless go. May angels lead you in." Song: Hear you me by Jimmy Eat World.