Hey there, guys and gals! I'm back to invite you guys to another party! Sunday, May 11 is my birthday. I'll be turning. . . yeah, right, no WAY I'm tellin' my age. Put it this way, I'm old enough to know better, and young enough to pretend otherwise! :P
For this contest, I'm not really looking for birthday poems or anything like that. I just want you to write from your heart. I want to read whatever speaks your voice.
Those I choose for winners will contain lots of poetic beauty, but a definite message. If you know me, you know I am a sucker for love poems and poems of faith or anything with immense beauty or brawn.
Please refrain from outright erotica and profanity. Any style, free verse or form, rhyme or not; just make it YOURS.
10-40 lines
For inspiration, I offer a couple of favorite poems by my favorite poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. You may write something totally unrelated if you feel so inspired.
From Sonnets from the Portuguese
XI
And therefore if to love can be desert,
I am not all unworthy. Cheeks as pale
As these you see, and trembling knees that fail
To bear the burden of a heavy heart,--
This weary minstrel-life that once was girt
To climb Aornus, and can scarce avail
To pipe now 'gainst the valley nightingale
A melancholy music,--why advert
To these things? O Belovèd, it is plain
I am not of thy worth nor for thy place!
And yet, because I love thee, I obtain
From that same love this vindicating grace,
To live on still in love, and yet in vain,--
To bless thee, yet renounce thee to thy face.
XIII
And wilt thou have me fashion into speech
The love I bear thee, finding words enough,
And hold the torch out, while the winds are rough,
Between our faces, to cast light on each?--
I drop at thy feet. I cannot teach
My hand to hold my spirit so far off
From myself--me--that I should bring thee proof
In words, of love hid in me out of reach.
Nay, let the silence of my womanhood
Commend my woman-love to thy belief,--
Seeing that I stand unwon, however wooed,
And rend the garment of my life, in brief,
By a most dauntless, voiceless fortitude,
Lest one touch of this heart convey its grief.
So, there ya have it. Enjoy your writing. Enjoy yourself. Can't wait to see what marvels you dream up! Reservations welcome.
--ten--
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on May 21, 2008
- Rewards: Gold: 500, Silver: 200, Bronze: 100
- Final notes:
Thanks to everyone who made my Birthday Bash contest so enjoyable for me. And truly, old AND new friends showed up with beautiful gifts, as I had hoped. I am so thankful to have been blessed by your words and thoughts.
GOLD - I'd Sing You a Love Song if Words knew How--
My first exposure, I think, to this poet. Some really telling imagery in this one that spoke so much. Short and powerful with a beautiful ending.
SILVER - Sensory Memory
Really spoke to me of love and loss in such beautiful terms, and teaches that for both, we can be grateful.
BRONZE - A Dewdrop Rose
Also a new poet to me. Woot! I was so impressed with the simplicity of expression-- profound thought contained in the simple metaphor of a flower.
There were NUMEROUS other pieces so worthy of acknowledgement, even some that are not necessarily ranked among the finalists were exquisite poems. Please check out one another's work and leave an encouraging comment. You will be so pleased you did!
Once again thank you all for your beautiful poems and for taking time to share bits of your hearts with me.
ten
Contest Winners
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by Allyce May 35 lines, 12 comments, on May 18 10:55 AM 2008. In Personal, Love, Thoughts
Gold trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
There's a certain poignant beauty
about flowers in the Spring;• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
In a poet's realm comes the story of one life,
Many lives, Cascades of love, and heart ache,by W B Burkholder 19 lines, 1 comment, on May 7 11:30 AM 2008. In Contest, Hope, Life, Love, Other, Spiritual, Thoughts, Contemporary• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Cicadas sing a song of love from you
Ten thousand times an hour I sigh your nameby cricketjeff 18 lines, 4 comments, on May 20 3:31 AM 2008. In Love• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Silver trophy winner
Bronze trophy winner
Entries [12]
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• Commented on by judge.
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If to love you more, some mountains I would flip, I'd dance cartwheels and break my favorite hip.• Commented on by judge.
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Say it say it say goodbye Noby OhNoChastity 67 lines, 4 comments, on May 7 11:48 AM 2008. In Love, Pain, Unrequited love, Anger, Regret• Commented on by judge.
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• Commented on by judge.
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Comments
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oh, and it's on Mother's day....happy birthday!
bookmarked
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Yep, sure is! Thanks, gal! I'd love to see some of your Beauty here.
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Happy Birthday sweet thang... You are the best Luv, Bunny
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Yep, chic. I know. LOL Thank you!
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YAY and we have the same favorite poet
Happy Birthday!!! I will be back for this ASAP!!!
Lynda
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Really? You love EBB? I'm not surprised, gal! You and I are sisters from anotha mister!!
Can't wait to see what you write.
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Happy Birthday!!
in advance!
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Thanks so much sweetie!
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Happy Birthday Momma. Of course you know the old saying, "Mind over matter...if you don't mind, it doesn't matter." I will put on my thinking cap for your special day. Liz
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Thank a million, Liz. I look forward to it!
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Happy Birthday in advance too
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Thanks so much, Gaylene!
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It's on Mother's Day! It's on Mother's day!
Happy happy happy happy birthday this one's bookmarked
- namita -
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thanks so much, N! hope you find time to wield you beautiful pen.
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A Birthday Blessing
Wisdom upon strength
the stem and blossom
matured and unfolding
for all to see
A fragrance to your loved ones
and roots into deep soils
of nourishing spirit
Rains both gentle and sometimes strong
water you with grace to quench
thirsty souls
A garden blessed by Gardener's
skillful and loving hand -
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Thank you, B. You're the bestest!
You rock!
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Happy Belated Birthday!!!
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Thanks so much for you good wishes! Woot!
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Hey Ten!
I have entered my poem.
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Thanks sweetie, awesome!
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Thank you Ten, for your beautiful comments and for hosting this contest!
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Thats so much for gold! I'm so pleased you enjoyed my work, and hope that you had a lovelyyyyy birthday
Well done all
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