Photography: Michael Greco
Some of the greatest poets ever, and some of them Nobel Laureates like Pablo Neruda (1971), Octavio Paz (1990), Joseph Brodsky (1987) & Derek Walcott (1992), were inspired by hair – now it’s your turn. Take it where you want to and/or use the excerpts for inspiration.
Shut out the month’s light with your fragrance,
close all the doors with your hair
~ from "Sonnet XXI" by Pablo Neruda
Map Shower
~ Richard Brautigan
I want your hair
to cover me with maps
of new places,
so everywhere I go
will be as beautiful
as your hair.
your arms were downed and ripening pears,
for you became, in fact, another country.
~ from “Another Life” by Derek Walcott
To my love, combing her hair
without a mirror facing me -
a psalm: you’ve shampooed your hair, an entire
forest of pine trees is filled with yearning on your head.
~ from “To my love, combing her hair” by Yehuda Amichai
with every bough that reverently bent
to touch the yellow wonder of her hair.
~ from “Of Nicolette” by E E Cummings
Rules:
- I prefer free verse
- Left align & plain background
- Apply poetic device
- Go slow on the adjectives
- Tight, metaphorical pieces have a better chance of winning - no epics please
- NO early posts – PLEASE edit, edit, edit before posting
- No reservations
My pillow gazes upon me at night
empty as a gravestone;
I never thought it would be so bitter
to be alone,
not to lie down asleep in your hair.
~ from “I threw my arms about those shoulders” by Joseph Brodsky
all through the night, and all day long
~ from “Sunstone” by Octavio Paz
Chant to me,
since from the start of creation
I’ve been searching for a homeland to my forehead,
for a woman’s hair
that writes me on the walls, then erases me
~ from “Your Body is my Map” by Nizar Qabbani
n & g
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on August 6, 2008
- Rewards: Gold: 1000, Silver: 700, Bronze: 500, Honorable mention: 3 people
- Final notes: Just loved your hair "drawings", poets - was such a pleasure to read. Thank you, and congratulations to the winners!!
Contest Winners
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 4451255, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 4441811, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 4443631, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Honorable mention
Entries [11]
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Next to a womans smile...
Her hair is her trademarkby Dragonheart1 17 lines, 2 comments, on Jul 20 7:20 AM 2008. In Thoughts• Commented on by judge. -
by Justplainwaynethen 15 lines, 2 comments, on Jul 20 8:03 AM 2008• Commented on by judge.
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• Commented on by judge.
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• Commented on by judge.
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by Gypsie Ink 3 lines, 2 comments, on Jul 22 9:23 AM 2008. In Contest• Commented on by judge.
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by amaranthine lover 14 lines, 2 comments, on Jul 27 8:35 PM 2008. In Contemporary, Contest, Dark, Fantasy, Abstract, noguest
• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
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Ohhh, I'd like to reserve a spot for this - whilst I think of something up!
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Would love to have that "something", Heath
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Bookmarked.
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Great, Michael
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I'll be back...
off to shampoo.
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Lolol.. i just washed mine
Hope to see you here, Kathleen
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Beautiful contest!! bookmarked!
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Would LOVE you to write something for this contest, Namita
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i love this!!! i do i do... bookmarking. i will try to come up with something!
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Great!! We'll be waiting for you...!
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My hair is my favorite part of me.
I'm gonna write for this.
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My hair and my eyes are my favourite parts of me too, lol. Hope to see you here, Cassie
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YES! What an excellent prompt, Nic!
Going to try like "you-know-what" to write for this one!!
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I like your dancer, Mary. Hope to see you here...hmmmm i think you owe me a poem
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Ummm, is rhyme welcome Nicky?
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Both Guy and I appreciate good rhyme, Michael, but it better be good, lol
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This is really something
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Thanks, Hensley - hope you'll enter
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I must,
given the Brautigan quote...
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You a Brautigan fan too, Rob?
Happy to see you here...
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Oh, yeah, big time. It was his short poetry that first inspired me to try shorter, more concise stuff. {I'm still struggling. My two big efforts are to accomplish a really great short, and a really good sonnet} Probably never happen.
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bookmarking.
i was forced to!
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Aaaah forced? Did someone drag you by the hair. Well, I'm happy your were or felt "forced"
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no, someone just threatened to force feed me chitlins if i didn't.
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Ohhhhh, wait for me!! My hair is my pride and joy Almost down to my waist actually
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Come on in and let your hair down, Rapunzel!!!
We're waiting for you...
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Woo hoo! I have an extra day I better get cracking!
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bookmarking... this is a lovely contest!
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Oh
Closed I was planning on writing for this one ... Anyway, have fun judging!
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Wow~ Thanks hon! and congratulations to everyone, there was some fantastic entries in this contest! Thanks again.
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thank you for the hm, Nic, and congrats to all the winners..
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it is always a challenge and an honor to be able to find the voice to enter your contests. Congratulations to all!!!!
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I was honored by your lovely comment, Nic. You always have the most stunning contest! Congratulations to Just Rob, Rowan, and Cannonfire... Three adorabl;e & laudable works of art As were the HMs and ALL entrees should be proud, I am 
I enjoyed writing for you. ~ Nicky♥
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