I figure it's time I hold a couple of contests.
I'm hoping these will be a bit more successful than some of my more recent endeavors. We'll see.
For this contest, I simply want dark poetry.
Now, some of you out there are no doubt smiling about this and thinking, "Well shit, I've got a TON of dark poetry because I never, EVER write anything that's happy!".
See, here's the problem folks--most dark poetry fucking sucks.
And I'm not just referring to the typical shitfests involving bad spelling, bad grammar, bad mechanics, or bad everything-else.
No, I'm also referring to the many, many "dark" poems here that're made into big, supposedly-beautiful gothic epics, full of annoying poetic imagery and metaphors, and basically just overdone.
Remember that poem you read recently you thought was ssssssoooooo "romantic" and "dark" that featured two people in love that couldn't be with one another and so they sliced their arms up and got blood all over each other and had sex and then went their separate ways, all the while crying and screaming the other's name?
Yeah, that shit sucks. It's not dark, it's fucking annoying.
To quote my last dark contest, "Don't give me whiny, emo shit about how miserable your life is because the girl or guy you like doesn't notice you, or because your parents won't let you dress like a loser. I like moody, gritty, gloomy poetry, the kind that slowly sucks you down and doesn't give you a way out.".
If you want, and this is entirely optional, read some of the works posted by authors like:
onerios13
Nicole Hanna
p b without the j
UnderTheWeepingMoon
vaseline
Axelle Black
Blkwidow77 -- Probably the best example I can give.
to get an idea of what I like. You don't have to do this, and I'm not trying to promote them. Consider it a list of ideas, a way to inspire you, if you like.
I want the real deal. Nothing fancy, spare me the complex metaphors.
Those who know me and know how I run my contests should already have a pretty good idea of what my rules are. Feel free to skip this next part and enter if you feel like it.
For you newbs, below are my rules.
If your poem sucks, I'll boot it out. Don't argue with me on this.
No rhyme of any kind. If your poem rhymes, it's gone.
Proper spelling, grammar and mechanics are expected. If this is too much for you, don't enter.
I tend to give blunt, honest critiques. If your poem's a stinker, my comment will be harsh. Deal with it.
Pre-writes are welcome, though I prefer fresh writes.
You may only enter once, but there is no line limit.
GO
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on April 8, 2008
- Rewards: Gold: 300
- Final notes: Well, despite the number of entries, there weren't very many good ones. Read the finalists, particularly the gold winner. At least they can write.
But, thanks for entering folks. Keep writing.
Contest Winners
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 4066751, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
-
A solemn genesis
rocked by revelation• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Bronze trophy winner
Entries [15]
1 - 15 of 15
-
An experiment in cosmological language and theoretical metaphor• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
-
As the sunrises all that is left is dust.
I held out my hand but you refuse to grab on, so I walk alone.• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
I see you so can you see me,by Engaging Danger 24 lines, 3 comments, on Mar 27 9:45 PM 2008• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
-
Enter from far and coming closer
For the poison that awaits me• Commented on by judge. Prewrite -
• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
-
Between my legs Hirsute razor slit• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
-
a single swearword lies in this text. A little lengthly, too, it seems...• Commented on by judge.
-
You are the bird in the steel cage
Perched on a wooden plankby xhowxtragikx 42 lines, 4 comments, on Mar 28 10:30 PM 2008. In Metaphor, Sad, Depression, Pain, Cutting, Suicide, Life, Other• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
Everyone thinks exactly the same, it's true. Although no one at all feels as though there being taken to a line of thinking that is not ofby beinkato 18 lines, on Mar 29 8:18 PM 2008. In Dark Society• Viewed by judge.
-
Singular and oblivious.
A mad Soul gone – COOL.• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
-
Hey, i like the contest. Just wanted to thank you for the rant about "dark" poetry. I completely agree with your views.
-
This is a good contest, good luck with it.
All the best
Wayne Leon
-
Come on, no one wrote darker shit on here than El Diablo.
-
-
I dunno, it's pretty hard to top Blkwidow77.
But then, maybe El Diablo should drop by and write a fresh one for this.
-
-
thank you for the gold
-
You know, your closing statements are quite derogatory and completely unnecessary. Implying that people can't write simply because you are one individual with one set of ideals is childish and narrow-minded indeed. You can't judge any poet upon one piece alone. Treating others with maturity is the difference between whether you're spoken back to with respect or not. I guess you need a little experience with people management.
-
-
In all honesty, I could care less how people think of me.
So, I'm fine with my statements; I was quite disappointed with this contest and wanted to make this clear. Rather than evading that disappointment altogether, I preferred the honest, blunt approach. Sorry if you didn't like it, but it won't change anything. -
-
That's arrogance for you...it never changes
-
-
It's not a matter of arrogance. It's a matter of stating what I felt was the truth. I do not consider myself a great writer by any means, but I know good poetry when I see it. Most of what was in this contest was far from good.
-
-
I read alot of what was in here and strongly disagree with you. I'm a good poet and also know good poetry when I see it...and some poems submitted here deserved more than the flippancy they received. I'm not going to sit here and argue with you when life holds so much more importance, but next time take into consideration the feelings you're hurting when being so blunt. As with everything, there's a time for blatant honesty and times when it's not appropriate for the situation. Saying thanks to your finalists wouldve been enough.
-
-
Again, you're not getting it.
I'm not here to hold the hands of those who enter.
Many people think you just need to throw some blood and gore and the words "evil", "dark" and "devilish", or some variant of them, into poems and BAM! they're somehow suddenly dark.
But they're not. I saw a lot of that mindset here, and it didn't help that many were lacking in strong, descriptive imagery. A lot of what I saw read like a laundry list of supposedly-horrible things that were going on, and I wasn't moved in the slightest. -
I totally agree with Laura Lamarca!
You really didn't need to say derogatory statements like that. You sound like you are on one high pedestal there guy and you need to come down from it. Also why throw a contest if your not going to read the entries or even not comment? This was a waste of other poets time, and this will be the first and last time I enter a contest like this! -
-
I can assure you, I read every entry. Just because I didn't leave a comment, doesn't mean I didn't read it. And despite what you and some others out there may think, I'm not obliged nor required to comment on any entries submitted in this contest.
Also, as I stated to Laura Lamarca, I'm not here to hold your hand. Really, you all should be thankful I'm not D P Robertson. If you think I'm being harsh, I guarantee you'd have your faces melted by his judging. So, quit whining.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
this is the link to the gold if anyone wishes to read it - i remove poems from contests when they have ended as i do not like having cups on display inside poetry http://allpoetry.com/poem/3920541
Adding your comment:
1 - 14 of 14
