A SPECIAL THANKS TO RAVENTEARS FOR ALL OF HER HELP IN JUDGING THIS CONTEST. SHE WROTE THE FANTASTIC POEM ‘A KANGAROO ODE’. I AM GIVING HER SPECIAL MENTION HERE AS THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW EDITORS/JUDGES OF THE CONTEST TO RECEIVE A TROPHY OR HONORABLE MENTION.
Wow, this contest was hard to judge! All of the entries were wonderful and each in their own unique way. I adored the sentimental ones and the satirical ones were amazingly witty and humorous.
They were all very good, and I had to narrow it down to just three for the gold, silver and bronze. I wish I had more than one of each of these to give out because there were certainly many that deserved it. At least every entry is receiving an honorable mention, which in my opinion, they earned at the very least.
In picking the finalists/winners, I had to decide on an ultimate criteria. It is based on what the main goal of the contest was; to raise the readers’ consciousness about the plight of endangered animals in the world today - telling it through their eyes, so to speak. Many of you were delightfully creative in how you did this.
Then, I narrowed it down to a few of the most critically endangered animals in the world today; the Silverback Mountain Gorilla, Polar Bears and Elephants. It was rather hard to choose just three because there are many others who are critically endangered, such as the tiger and tortoises.
Finally, I chose the entries that had the most impact upon the reader in how the endangered animals’ story was told and facts creatively presented.
And, yes - I am a sucker for mothers. I realized at the end that two of the entries that I picked were told about mothers - one told through the eyes of a mother polar bear and the other through an orphaned baby elephant who lost hisher mother to poachers, (‘Mother Polar Bear’ and ‘Mother Elephant‘). This was not intentional. I saw this later, but come to think of it - who could tell it better than through the eyes of a mother and/or her child ? That aspect of these entries is part of what made the write so moving. The other one, “Gorillas in the Myth” was told through the eyes of a family of Silverbacks, and since Mountain Gorillas are so closely knit in their family structure and socially, this was a very appropriate way to present their sad story.
I commented on all of the entries, and you each know what I liked about your write. I want to encourage everyone to continue reading the other entries. They are all amazing and unique! Thank you to everyone for their participation in this contest. I am glad that I was able to give all of you at least an honorable mention, as promised, for your time, effort and fantastic pouring out of creativity. The honorable mentions are not in any order of preference. I left them the same as when they came in (chronologically by date).
In closing I would like to quote what one of the authors’ stated under the Author’s Notes because it took the words right out of my mouth. This contest was anonymous, so I will credit the author by the name of the work.
‘Mother Polar Bear ‘
Here is a bit of what the author says; “We have left humanity in the pits, but still we are humans, we need to prove and take a baby step back to reviving Mother Nature and her children, before its far too late. Join ASPCA and donate ( https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Donation2?df_id=1020&1020.donation=form1&s_src=sitewide&s_subsrc=rightside&JServSessionIdr012=caok6ichi2.app26b ) or adopt a wild endangered animal at WWF ( http://www.worldwildlife.org/home.html )
But money is not everything, but compassion and time are just as valuable for their survival.”
Here are a few of my comments that I would like to share with all of you.
‘Gorillas in the Myth’
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/12/gorilla-massacre/massacre-video-interactive
(warning: The beginning of this documentary is pleasant and informational, but I do not recommend watching the last half of it for really sensitive viewers, as it is showing aspects of the recent mountain gorilla massacre).
I also pray that Diane Fossey's life-long work and death for the Mountain Gorillas was not in vain;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorillas_in_the_Mist
http://www.gorillafund.org/
‘Mother Elephant’
This poem was so very sad, but describes a scenario that is happening probably at this very moment because there has been an increase in elephants being hunted mercilessly for their tusks due to the recent deregulation of the CITES ban on ivory. My understanding of this is that the result of the CITES ten-year ban on the selling of ivory being modified to allowing the EXISTING stockpiles of ivory (Confiscated, etc), to be sold (recently to Japan from Africa), has INCREASED the illegal poaching of elephants and the black market of ivory - as was the prediction of most experts.
http://www.interpol.int/Public/News/2008/kenya20080708/kenya02_20080708.asp
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070402215412.htm
http://www.awf.org/content/headline/detail/1092
Together we can make the world a better place for all living beings!
A SPECIAL THANKS TO RAVENTEARS FOR ALL OF HER HELP IN JUDGING THIS CONTEST. SHE WROTE THE FANTASTIC POEM ‘A KANGAROO ODE’. I AM GIVING HER SPECIAL MENTION HERE AS THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW EDITORS/JUDGES OF THE CONTEST TO RECEIVE A TROPHY OR HONORABLE MENTION..
Closed for Judging...
I apologize for taking so long. I am in the process of moving but I will attend to this as quickly as I can. They are all wonderful entries. It is going to be difficult to judge this.
This contest closed on October 27th. All entries will receive at least an honorable mention for their effort.
Contest for Animal Lover's Group;
http://allpoetry.com/group/show/A%20group%20for%20animal%20lovers
New members are always welcome to our group, but not a requirement to enter the contest. Check us out!
http://allpoetry.com/group/show/A%20group%20for%20animal%20lovers
I want you to pick an animal that you really love and/or identify with. Then, write about that animal using one or a combination of the following options; (It may be a poem, story , journal entry or column).
1. What is it like to be that animal in the world as it is today.? What special hardships and dangers does that animal endure? How would that animal be better off, if the world were to be made a more congenial place for that animal? You can either write this from the perspective of the animal or from your own. You may even wish to become the animal in your poem and view the world through the eyes of that animal.
2. If it is an endangered animal, what does it feel like for that animal, and what does it go through on a daily basis to survive in a world where their habitat is becoming smaller and they are being hunted and exploited mercilessly?
3. Even though I encourage you to write something about the plight that animals endure in this world, you may choose to write something more fluffy and heart-warming; or even humorous. I enjoy these kinds of poems as well. I have gathered some pictures along these lines if you wish to use one as a prompt; or you can find your own if you wish. The photos below are all the courtesy of Photobucket.
http://photobucket.com/?special_track=nav_logo
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq84/brookejovi1/horses/thPortrait.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd228/Dutchbear/gorrillawbaby.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd118/lifeislove0/z104931985.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g240/SweetDeviiL/thtigers.jpg
http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o328/jvaughan_photos/Tortoise009.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii112/squadle/polar_bears.jpg
4. I strongly urge you to pick one of these animals, but only if your feel so inclined and compelled to.
The following animals have touched me on a very deep level; and are reaching out for help in my dreams;
Tigers
Turtles and tortoises (land and water)
Elephants
Horses
Mountain Gorillas
Polar Bears
5. You may pick one of the following documentaries, pictures and informational sites to base your write on.;
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/12/gorilla-massacre/massacre-video-interactive
(warning: The beginning of this documentary is pleasant and informational, but I do not recommend watching the last half of it for really sensitive viewers, as it is showing aspects of the recent mountain gorilla massacre).
http://www.tigersincrisis.com/
http://elephant.elehost.com/About_Elephants/about_elephants.htm
http://www.all-creatures.org/hope/antisealing-20060310.htm
(this is disturbing and sad - not for sensitive viewers)
http://www.50birds.com/gendturtles.htm
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/afp/20030519/turtle.html
(this is the last known turtle of his species named “Lonesome George”)
Thank you for your participation. Please be sure to place your option, or combination thereof , that you have chosen for your write in your Author‘s Notes. Even though it may be obvious what your write is about, I still want this listed to show that you read and considered the options . This contest is an outreach program for the Animal Lover’s Group, and you are encouraged to join this group although it is not mandatory to be in this contest.
http://allpoetry.com/group/show/A%20group%20for%20animal%20lovers
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on November 5, 2008
- Rewards: Gold: 1000, Silver: 500, Bronze: 250, Honorable mention: 40 people
- Final notes: A SPECIAL THANKS TO RAVENTEARS FOR ALL OF HER HELP IN JUDGING THIS CONTEST. SHE WROTE THE FANTASTIC POEM ‘A KANGAROO ODE’. I AM GIVING HER SPECIAL MENTION HERE AS THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW EDITORS/JUDGES OF THE CONTEST TO RECEIVE A TROPHY OR HONORABLE MENTION.
Wow, this contest was hard to judge! All of the entries were wonderful and each in their own unique way. I adored the sentimental ones and the satirical ones were amazingly witty and humorous.
They were all very good, and I had to narrow it down to just three for the gold, silver and bronze. I wish I had more than one of each of these to give out because there were certainly many that deserved it. At least every entry is receiving an honorable mention, which in my opinion, they earned at the very least.
In picking the finalists/winners, I had to decide on an ultimate criteria. It is based on what the main goal of the contest was; to raise the readers’ consciousness about the plight of endangered animals in the world today - telling it through their eyes, so to speak. Many of you were delightfully creative in how you did this.
Then, I narrowed it down to a few of the most critically endangered animals in the world today; the Silverback Mountain Gorilla, Polar Bears and Elephants. It was rather hard to choose just three because there are many others who are critically endangered, such as the tiger and tortoises.
Finally, I chose the entries that had the most impact upon the reader in how the endangered animals’ story was told and facts creatively presented.
And, yes - I am a sucker for mothers. I realized at the end that two of the entries that I picked were told about mothers - one told through the eyes of a mother polar bear and the other through an orphaned baby elephant who lost hisher mother to poachers, (‘Mother Polar Bear’ and ‘Mother Elephant‘). This was not intentional. I saw this later, but come to think of it - who could tell it better than through the eyes of a mother and/or her child ? That aspect of these entries is part of what made the write so moving. The other one, “Gorillas in the Myth” was told through the eyes of a family of Silverbacks, and since Mountain Gorillas are so closely knit in their family structure and socially, this was a very appropriate way to present their sad story.
I commented on all of the entries, and you each know what I liked about your write. I want to encourage everyone to continue reading the other entries. They are all amazing and unique! Thank you to everyone for their participation in this contest. I am glad that I was able to give all of you at least an honorable mention, as promised, for your time, effort and fantastic pouring out of creativity. The honorable mentions are not in any order of preference. I left them the same as when they came in (chronologically by date).
In closing I would like to quote what one of the authors’ stated under the Author’s Notes because it took the words right out of my mouth. This contest was anonymous, so I will credit the author by the name of the work.
‘Mother Polar Bear ‘
Here is a bit of what the author says; “We have left humanity in the pits, but still we are humans, we need to prove and take a baby step back to reviving Mother Nature and her children, before its far too late. Join ASPCA and donate ( https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Donation2?df_id=1020&1020.donation=form1&s_src=sitewide&s_subsrc=rightside&JServSessionIdr012=caok6ichi2.app26b ) or adopt a wild endangered animal at WWF ( http://www.worldwildlife.org/home.html )
But money is not everything, but compassion and time are just as valuable for their survival.”
Here are a few of my comments that I would like to share with all of you.
‘Gorillas in the Myth’
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/12/gorilla-massacre/massacre-video-interactive
(warning: The beginning of this documentary is pleasant and informational, but I do not recommend watching the last half of it for really sensitive viewers, as it is showing aspects of the recent mountain gorilla massacre).
I also pray that Diane Fossey's life-long work and death for the Mountain Gorillas was not in vain;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorillas_in_the_Mist
http://www.gorillafund.org/
‘Mother Elephant’
This poem was so very sad, but describes a scenario that is happening probably at this very moment because there has been an increase in elephants being hunted mercilessly for their tusks due to the recent deregulation of the CITES ban on ivory. My understanding of this is that the result of the CITES ten-year ban on the selling of ivory being modified to allowing the EXISTING stockpiles of ivory (Confiscated, etc), to be sold (recently to Japan from Africa), has INCREASED the illegal poaching of elephants and the black market of ivory - as was the prediction of most experts.
http://www.interpol.int/Public/News/2008/kenya20080708/kenya02_20080708.asp
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070402215412.htm
http://www.awf.org/content/headline/detail/1092
Together we can make the world a better place for all living beings!
A SPECIAL THANKS TO RAVENTEARS FOR ALL OF HER HELP IN JUDGING THIS CONTEST. SHE WROTE THE FANTASTIC POEM ‘A KANGAROO ODE’. I AM GIVING HER SPECIAL MENTION HERE AS THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW EDITORS/JUDGES OF THE CONTEST TO RECEIVE A TROPHY OR HONORABLE MENTION.
Contest Winners
-
With saddened heart
I sit by my childby imperfectperfection 92 lines, 6 comments, on Sep 18 2:37 PM 2008. In Nature, Pain, Sad, Society, Hope, Life, My thoughts, Animals, Animal Kingdom
Silver trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Alone
My mother, lost• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Can you not see the beauty I hold
So you go hunting just for stories to be toldby Yorkshire kevin 12 lines, 4 comments, on Sep 18 4:47 AM 2008. In SAD.NATURE, CONTEST.PAIN.
Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
I dont trust people who hunt animals for fun for they so have a dark side within their hearts. Its a mean side of them that shows they dby storiesuntold 33 lines, 8 comments, on Sep 18 8:39 AM 2008. In Sad, Animals I would say those who hunt them are heartless indeed Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. [remove]
-
ashamed to live alone and free
forlorn thoughts meander without guidanceby carole21 17 lines, 7 comments, on Dec 19 10:55 AM 2008. In Animals, Big points, Creative Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Screaming children
a silver cage• Commented on by judge. [remove] - Error: Unable to find finalist item 4633125, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
-
Why?
Why do you take me?by Natural Disaster 44 lines, 6 comments, on Oct 9 8:07 PM 2008. In Thoughts, Nature Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
I hear the men who kill coming in the distance.
They want my baby, but will end my life.• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Our time has come and gone
times of old run in our veins• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Loving in the open land of arces
Loving the grace of running at full speed• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
The earth beneath my feet
The dirt churned by my claws• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
• Commented on by judge. [remove]
-
On my face,
rolls a tear.• Commented on by judge. [remove] - Error: Unable to find finalist item 4711837, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
-
The african elephant, a matriarchial phenomena
Gregarious, magnificent, from the aged proboscidea• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Gold trophy winner
Bronze trophy winner
Entries [30]
-
Native to Australia,
I bound across red soil plains,by Raven Tears 72 lines, 9 comments, on Sep 18 7:50 AM 2008
• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
-
-
-
Very Nice!
However the contest is for new writes only right now. Possibly I may open it up to prewrites at a later date. Maybe. Thank you. -
-
You are most welcome but it was not meant as an entry..
Just a gift 
-
-
Awww ... Thank you!
And a truly beautiful gift it is. I cherish it - as I cherish Gorillas! 
Karen
-
-
-
-
Hey Karen :)
How dare you make me chose an animal
.
Ugh I'm so indecisive, it's too hard to pick, but anywho, one just popped into my head and it happens to be an Aussie animal that needs help.
Is that okay?
I hope so.
Thanks for holding an animal contest, I'm happy to donate points if you like or help in any way. -
-
I know it's hard!
The australian shepherd Aussie? I love them. That's fine. Anything that moves you to write and gets the creative flow going.
I'm fine with points for now. Thank you; but maybe you can save them for a contest in the future. karen
-
-
When I can do some of this whith out crying all of the time. I have not deserted you. Just I can't.
-
-
I know it's difficult!
Maybe pick something that is not quite so painful for you. I know that any animal hurting is hard to take. You can also write a warm/fluffy poem too. Something that softens the readers' hearts toward that (endangered) animal.
-
-
omg! i have one that is perfect for this! but its a pre-write! darn it!!!
-
I'll see what I can write...I've been debating whether to try and write something through the eyes of a horse and now I have my chance. Maybe I'll even include a picture of my own horse.
-
-
That would be wonderful! Neighhhhh!!!!
-
-
~whinnies~
-
-
-
-
-
As I said before, I have a poem for this, but it is a pre-write. If you decide to allow pre-writes, please contact me.
-
May try to turn out a new write for this, although I have manymany prewrites about animals.
-
I might do it !
I might do it but my poem has already been in a anthology and I don't know if it is legal of doing it. I may try write a poem on this subject again but different. -
Thanks sis for the HM this was such a heartfelt and emotional contest and I learned so much. Congrats to all the winners. Thanks again hugs Theresa
-
Thankyou all so very much, it was an honour to help judge such a wonderful contest with so many beautiful entries, a big thankyou to Karen and for everyone that shared their writes with us.
Thankyou all for being a voice for our animal friends that can't speak for themselves.
You are saints, keep it up!
Love and light to you all. -
Karen, thank-you so much for recognizing both my childrens works in your theme and for calling on awareness for the animals. I had to remove my childrens' works from my site as a moderator informed me that it is against AP policy to post their work on my page. They both were excited to have green trophies placed on their works!
Blue
Adding your comment:
