SORRY THIS IS TAKING SO LONG TO JUDGE - but you guys didn't exactly make it easy! ALL of the entries are GREAT and I am having such a difficult time deciding who deserves a trophy the most! 
Please be patient, my wonderful poets and friends.
RULES:
1) No pre-writes, sorry.
2) Watch your spelling and grammar - it will cost you a trophy.
3) I will NOT applaud entries - I'm spending all my points on the prizes. (If anyone wants to donate points - consider it an anniversary present ).
4) Label your option in your notes, and follow any instructions specific to option. If I ask for extra information in author's notes, please give it!
5) You may enter as MANY TIMES AS YOU LIKE, with as many options as you like.
6) Write in your style, whatever that may be - but please be aware that I prefer free-verse, and rhyme must be well-done to impress me.
7) Remember, I'm putting forth a lot of points for this - so work hard and make it worth my investment!
8) Please do not enter your entry in any other contests while my contest is still running, it is just respectful.
9) Because I expect (hope for) a large number of entries, I will be adding the ones I like to the finalist list as I go, to make it easier on me. Being added to the finalist list does not guarantee that you will win - and not being added doesn't guarantee you won't. I'm just getting too old and tired to try to remember everything. LOL.
OPTIONS: Organized into categories. IE: Self-centered, You-choose, Treasure Chest
Disclosure: Some of these are going to seem a little conceited, that's okay because it's my contest and my anniversary. LOL.
SELF-CENTERED
1) Use a line from any one of my poems as a part of your poem. Include my poem's name, date, and URL or link in author's notes. Also (and this goes with all options), it would be nice to know if there's a specific reason you chose this.
2) Use one of my poems as inspiration for your poem. Include poem's name, date, and URL or link in author's notes.
3) Rewrite any one of my poems using my theme in your own style. Or reverse it for a little fun! Include poem's name, date, and link in author's notes.
4) BONUS POINTS FOR THIS ONE! Be my biographer. Feel free to message me and ask any questions: I will answer honestly and openly. It's okay if you don't know me well or at all - here's your chance to ask ANYTHING.
5) One year ago this week, I almost took my own life (then again in November). I had gun in my mouth, ready to pull the trigger when something (I still don't know what) changed my mind and I couldn't do it. So YAY, I'm still here! Also, entire point for this contest: MY FIVE YEAR AP ANNIVERSARY!
So write a poem in celebration of/dedication to my life, my poetry, my decision to live... whatever.
6) Talk me or a loved one out of suicide. When miserable - why choose life?
7) Write a romantic poem for me, geared towards me. Some of you would really do great with this option. You know who you are!!!
TREASURE CHEST OF INSPIRATIONS:
8) My Treasure Chest of Inspirations:
Use any of the following lines/words as inspiration for your poem. You may use it as the title, incorporate it into your poem, or just be inspired by it. Include option # and the line or word that inspired you in your author's notes, please.
*Revolution
*Garnet drops of my own geode
*In every part of me - there is a piece of you.
*I am just a flat line.
*Crash cart catastrophe.
*Resuscitate
*Shape me like clay to fit your ideal
*I am an empty house
*Under marbled skies
*Colors paint my life
*Violent pendulum
*Life, love, pain... are too intense
9) North Carolina Inspired
Never been there? Do some research. Look at photos. What feeling do you get from what you see?
Some ideas:
The Rivers - We have the most interesting river names, such as Cape Fear River, Neuse River, Tar River, New River, and Ararat River. Be inspired. Make up a story...
Lexington - Where I grew up. We are the BBQ capitol of the world. There are actually highly artistic pig statues all over town - which they decorate for holidays. Talk about "quaint".
Outer Banks - Unique to our state.
Blue Ridge Parkway - just look at pics.
10) History - Come on!!! Teach me something I don't know! Re-write one of history's greatest tales! Inspire me by my one-time major and first love!
11) Men Vs. Women - Let's all face it - men and women are truly different species. Write about it. Be humorous, angry, serious - whatever you want.
12) The art of writing, itself. Be metaphorical and original.
13) Word Bank!!!!
No, you don't have to use all of them! LOL. I'm not that difficult. But the more words you use and the more difficult they are, the better chance you have of winning.
Use any 7 or more of the following (yes you may use any form of the word):
Cataclysmic Measure Charred
Newtonian Affiliate Abhor
Riveted Driven Abscind
Enmeshed Nail Reconcile
Mercurial Intricacies Avidly
Meteoric Resistent Blatantly
Brazen Resiliant Arsenal
Schism Vindicated Assault
Gaping Insane Battery
Repudiate Asylum Refugee
Throttle Defendant Assumption
Stalk Criminal Unrivaled
Collide Judgment Ravenous
Supernova Alleviate Percolate
Drudge Pale Faceted
Camouflage Petal Gem
Eradicate Pallor Level
Fiction Bleach Stabilize
Digital/Digitized Shard Extreme
Mar/Marred Predisposed Pressurized
Exposure Elevate Boiler
Reveal Alchemical Lewd
Radiolucency Amalgamate Excruciating
Innocence Oblivion Magnanimous
Token Actualize Fraudulent
Saturnine Materialize Violent
Pendulum Bipolar Tempered
Achromatized Rocketed Blasted
Therapy Psychology Seratonin
Transmitters Inscribed Carved
Lucid Rant Marrow
Spinal
14) RED - my favorite color. Let your imagination run with it.
15) TREES! I LOVE TREES! Personify them, describe them, use them as a metaphor, whatever - just do it well!
16) Seasons - be vivid and metaphoric.
17) I once read this awesome poem about various lovers (wish I could remember the name and URL). Write a poem recounting the details of your lovers. Make it funny, ironic, quirky, angry, sad, whatever... just make it interesting!
18) Haha... you knew it was coming. Mental Disorders. Bipolar. Schizophrenia. Antisocial. PTSD. Include some info on why you chose this in author's notes, please.
19) Drugs/drinking. Not that I condone it and, for the record, I've never even been completely drunk. It just fascinates me. Give details.
20) Angels. Be inspired. But please, do not preach at me.
21) Be inspired by this awesome poem by Dorothy Parker, titled "Resume":
"Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live."
22) Be inspired by this intense quote by author Graham Greene:
"I felt nothing. I was fixed, like a negative in a chemical bath."
23) Inspired by my favorite OldPoet, Sylvia Plath:
Write a poem inspired by one of hers, her life and tragic death, her suicide attempts, or just her style. Or impress me and write a biography about her, or write from her voice.
24) Use education as inspiration: Math, Science, Literature, Chemistry, Business, Law, Marketing, etc.... see Metaphorist's work for ideas/inspiration.
25) Sleep and Dreams.
YOUR CHOICE OPTIONS:
26) You choose: Movie, quote, or book inspired. Be sure to name your inspiration in author's notes, and why you chose it.
27) Art/Photography Inspired. Come on guys!!! This is the EASIEST option and nobody every chooses it!
Choose your photo, or message me to ask for one... OR... impress me with your technical knowledge or discerning eye. Be sure to include name, artist, and link.
28) Paint a portrait with words.
Some ideas:
*ME! (narcissistic much? Nahh.... LOL)
*Self-portrait (how do you appear to the outside world?)
*Landscape
*Cityscape
29) Blow me away with an incredible extended metaphor of your choice. Not sure what that means? Read Metaphorist's work.
30) I expect you to make me cry on this one: Loss of a loved one.
31) So much of this contest is about me and what appeals to me. Now it is your opportunity - give me a little autobiography - in poem or short prose form. BONUS POINTS FOR THIS OPTION!!! I LOVE LEARNING ABOUT PEOPLE, THEIR PAST, and WHAT DRIVES THEM!!!
32) Write a suicide note, in the form of a poem. See "Empty Spaces" and "Please Don't Feel At Fault" by me.
33) Social dissertation - got a problem with the way our society is? Write about it!
34) Dedication. Write a good, solid dedication to a friend or poet. Give details about the person. Please include who they are and why you are dedicating to them in the author's notes.
35) Write a letter in the form of a poem to a lost loved one. What have you always wanted to tell them?
36) Write about the joys and/or difficulties of being married.
37) You knew it was coming!!! EROTICA! You better make it pornographic though! It is difficult to get me interested unless it's very intense, explicit, and full of imagery! Make sure you label it "adult" and "erotica".
38) What is your reason to live?
39) Lyric-inspired. Lyrics are today's version of yesterday's poetry.
Choose your own, but be sure to include it in author's notes.
My favorite bands:
Shinedown
Breaking Benjamin
Evanescence
Placebo
Seether
Death Cab for Cutie
Snow Patrol
Coldplay
Nirvana
HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!!!!
REMEMBER TO INCLUDE INFO REQUESTED IN AUTHOR'S NOTES!!!
Yes, you may be a blender and mix and match any of the above options.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on August 15, 2008
- Rewards: Gold: 2500, Silver: 1500, Bronze: 1000, Honorable mention: 14 people
- Final notes: Wow!
You guys made my job as a judge so difficult! All of the entries were wonderful, and there were so many talented poets that entered this contest.
It took me days to reorder the poems on the finalist list. You should feel very proud of yourself if you even made it on the finalist list or got an HM, because the competition was EXTREMELY TIGHT.
In fact, I moved gold, silver, and bronze around two dozen times or more... I kept going back in and reading poems and moving them. I even read them all out loud to my husband to get his help.
His picks for the top two were different from mine, but I had to follow my heart with those.
The HMs are in specific order. If you are one of the first few HMs, be very proud because you deserved a trophy, too - I was so upset I only had three to give!
Thanks again for entering my contest and celebrating my 5 Year Anniversary.
I hope you all will enter my contests again
Contest Winners
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ah, no peeking now
It's all or nothing. LOL
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Flare the Arcphoenix's dedication to Auburn Sunrise for her 5th Ann. Bash. ^.^
o}--{=======>by Flare the Arcphoenix 44 lines, 15 comments, on Aug 8 1:03 PM 2008. In Contest, Dedication, Freewrite, My own style
Bronze trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. [remove] - Error: Unable to find finalist item 4464609, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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How does it feel to trick me, Freakin’ bozo,• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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Our relationship was
a commodity-• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Cold hard steel enamel bites,
bathed in saline rivulets• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
The rhythm pulses, they all stand still;
hoping for the best, ignoring the chill.• Commented on by judge. [remove] - Error: Unable to find finalist item 4486473, 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]
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I pound relentlessly
On the walls of this glass tube• Commented on by judge. [remove] - Error: Unable to find finalist item 4487257, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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I woke today to find myself on an unusual fence
Looking down I see both sides• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Gold trophy winner
Silver trophy winner
Honorable mention
Entries [39]
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Excruciating insanity consumes
her tormented soul.• Commented on by judge. -
A blushing sun creeps
over the horizon,by Luckintheshadows 29 lines, 2 comments, on Jul 28 3:21 AM 2008. In contest, thoughts, personal, red• Commented on by judge. -
Enmeshing my unconscious figure;
raping the innocence ofby MichaelBe 34 lines, 6 comments, on Jul 28 9:40 AM 2008• Commented on by judge. -
my spirit open wide
all for you to see• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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by MJ Donnelly 16 lines, 6 comments, on Jul 28 2:06 PM 2008. In Love• Commented on by judge.
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my nails lenghthen
as i stalk my innocent victim• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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Two halves of one self
are in constant warby Metaphorist 24 lines, 4 comments, on Jul 28 8:09 PM 2008. In Society• Commented on by judge. -
Theoretically,
we made sense.by Metaphorist 29 lines, 3 comments, on Jul 30 8:32 AM 2008. In Love• Commented on by judge. -
by Poetic-Theorem 61 lines, 5 comments, on Jul 31 9:40 PM 2008. In Thoughts, Life, Society, Personal, Pain, My life, Depression, Love• Commented on by judge.
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stomach in a cataclysmic upheaval
measure for measure the charred Newtonian• Commented on by judge. -
Among these familiar pines,
with cardinals flitting overhead,by Improv Machinery 5 lines, 3 comments, on Aug 1 8:02 PM 2008• Commented on by judge. -
In dreams I crossed a marrow river (yuk)
And received a feathered arrow in the buttby Emmanuel Cant 42 lines, 3 comments, on Aug 6 7:45 AM 2008. In Humor• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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Each coming day
brings more pain than the last.by Improv Machinery 18 lines, 14 comments, on Aug 9 8:44 PM 2008• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
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holy cow! there are SO many options! I'm dizzy...I'll be back...
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I do hope the famed Dalaney decides to enter
Love your avatar artwork, by the way!
Oh, and it's reorganized into categories and color-coded, so it's a little less dizzying.
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ill be entering this beast of a beautifull crafted contest probably tomorrow night, i need to write a few pieces for it first lol
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Yay! Enter as many as you want hon!
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YOU
What great inspiration.
You certainly gave us a wide range of prompts. If somebody can't find something to write about here, then they ought to quit.
Count me in.
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Haha. I have to agree with you there!
Think it's too many options??? -
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Options
Not too many, it's not a quickie after all. Just need to digest. Part of the challenge in this is to find the right inspiration.
Hey, it is a crap load of points and your anniversary contest.
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Re-organized into categories!!!
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omg omg omg SO MANY OPTIONS , surely my muse can kick in for one of them
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Like everyone else said, this crapload of options is overwhelmingly awesome...I'll have to bookmark.
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Think I should streamline and cut out some options?
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No, all those options make me smile.
Maybe...differentiate them in categories to make it slightly easier (e.g. self-centered options, you-choose-prompt options...)
With...shiny colors
Heh. Maybe not shiny...
I soooo have to enter, & congrats for being here for 5 whole years
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Congratulations dear!
5 years is a wonderful journey*thunmbup*...may you have many decades ahead of you!
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Aww thank you!!!!
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So welcome..hope you got the points I sent!
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Thank you again, kindly, for the donation!
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Welcome dear...glad to see a smile on a friend!
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Evanescence, Seether & Death Cab For Cutie...I love them too.
But but...what about Nirvana?
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Hehe... forgot about Nirvana. Will add to list. Of course, you may choose anyone you want.
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Forgot...about Kurt Cobain?!!!
LOVING the colors. Totally dig it. Nice job
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Yeah... you know... that senile mind of mine.
Thank ya much! My computer was being a pain in the you-know-what, too, so it wasn't easy! -
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Senile? According to your thingy, you're only 23. Still a spring chicken
All computers have asses. Some are fatter than others & could do with a bony kick.
Excuse me...
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Yeah, 23... been senile since I was 16
Don't they though? Ugh! Sometimes I hate computers! -
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Me too--the computer is both God & Satan. You need him, but he's evil. Anyways. I'll start writing.
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wow! what superb options!! I'm definately bookmarking - I'll be back!!!
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Good! Please do come back and enter as many times as you want!
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WOW!!!!!
Congrads on your 5 Year Allpoetry Anniversary
Allie
This is such a huge bash with somany options.
Seems like lots of fun.
Bookmarked and dizzy from the options
David
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CONGRATS ON YOUR 5 YEARS!!
Lots of options
I LOVE your rule:
8) Please do not enter your entry in any other contests while my contest is still running, it is just respectful.
I am glad to see I aint the only host who has this rule!
Bookmarked!!
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Nope, it's a good rule. Though I'm less polite about it happening
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Happy Anniversary! I would like to take part, but if it turns out that I cannot, I just want to make sure to wish you well.
Blessings,
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Happy Anniversary, Allie!!! I've been waiting patiently for this contest and it's sure gonna be fun. Thanks for referencing me in some of your options too
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Bookmarked
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wow...I see inspiration!!LOL
Oh, by the way, about the Sylvia Plath option, the Bangles' song 'Bell Jar' is worth listening to... -
Have to read all these prompts all over again.
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You just made it humanly impossible (or at least so close to which I won't even try to get all of them) to choose all options....ah well, I'll just pick my favorites. Some of these options, namely #16, remind me of some of my own prewrites. ^.^ This'll be so much fun, it's not even funny....it's entertainingly hilarious! Fits of creativity and inspiration have taken over me - I won't stop until I've made something.
You created one of my favorite kinds of contests - you'll see me in here before it's over. ^.^ -
Tell them as they look at NC to please NOT MAKE PLANS TO MOVE HERE why Thank you.
Sign me fed up and drowning in damn yankees in NC sigh sigh sigh they already own more than we do.
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*Bangs Head On Wall*
I can't seem to write something good enough!!!!
Still trying though
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I can't enter this since it's a prewrite but I thought you may get a kick out of it anyway. It's an epic poem, would have fit nicely with your "history" option.
http://allpoetry.com/poem/2638082
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Thank You
darling most sincerely for the honour of HM in such a contest where the talent was just overflowing!
Congrats all who won and Congrats on your 5 year bash
Stay safe♥ -
Allie
Thanks sooooo much for the shiny HM
Wow, judging this contest must have had you banging your head against the wall
So many great entries
Congrads to all the winners
Again, congrads on your 5 years my sweet friend
Many blessings
I'm working on your next contest...waiting for my muse to come back from MIA
Take care
much love
David -
Thank you so much for bronze!!! ^.^
There were a lot of great poets that entered...I'm proud to be up there with the best of them. =) Though the real treasure is knowing you! Great to know you, even though it hasn't been all too long. ^-^ -
Wow! I am so honored to receive silver in your contest. Thank you so much. There were so many wonderful poems in this one. Happy 5th Anniversary!
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