This is rather a restricted contest, restricted to sonneteers only; so if you have only written a handful of sonnets then I’m sure this contest is not for you.
First of all we are only accepting three traditional sonnet forms: Shakespearian, Petrarchan and Spenserian Sonnets. Each poem entered must be perfect in form so if you think you can pen it in fifteen minutes I doubt very much if you have a chance reaching the finalist list.
Assuming you have entered a perfect sonnet regarding structure, we will be judging the poems on originality, imagery, story line and the all important “ah factor”.
In order to keep this contest from filling up with poetry that does not come up to what we consider a level of high standards we will DQ poems that:
1. Are not written in perfect form
2. Contain cliché
3. Have redundant lines
4. Contain weak emotional venting
5. Ask the reader rhetorical questions
6. Use only simple vowel rhymes/meaning; no slant rhymes
7. Are not original
I know this question will be asked so here is the answer:
Iambic pentameter is not required but if you use iambic, trochiac, anapestic, dactylic or other meter it must be uniformly carried through the entire poem or uniform in each stanza and be able to melt into the next stanza if there is a change in meter.
Any topic you chose is fine.You may pen your poem in modern or Shakespearean English.
No reservations!
My co-judge is masterblaster, one of the best sonneteers on this site. My thanks to her for sharing the points.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on March 1
- Rewards: Gold: 5000, Silver: 3000, Bronze: 2000, Honorable mention: 5 people
- Final notes: It seems that everyone says that the quality of poetry in the AP contests is so good that they are difficult to judge and this one is no different. We had some amazing entries and everyone that was left in the contest by the time it closed is worthy of some sort of commendation. We want to thank each and every one of you for your wonderful work and helping to make our contest a success.
Contest Winners
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We walked upon the quiet moonlit sand
and felt the warmth of life beneath our feet,• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
The first day is of spirit and of mind,
Unfolding slow of two low-growing seeds,• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
In miniature perfection round my own
Four tiny fingers hold my soul in awe• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
When I was twenty-two what passed for love
became in retrospect what I despise:• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Gold trophy winner
Silver trophy winner
Bronze trophy winner
Honorable mention
Entries [18]
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Familiar breath of dusk begins to shimmer,
the rays of dying sun begin to fade;by borrowing.moonlight 13 lines, 2 comments, on Feb 4 4:21 PM• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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She kissed me soft beneath a blushing moon
when we met fifty seven years prior.by redbarchettadrive 16 lines, 10 comments, on Feb 8 12:48 AM• Commented on by judge. -
Indulgence of my heart I beg forgive
my laggardness and deep unworthiness.• Commented on by judge. -
The good and evil men you bless alike;
infusing love on those who worship you.by emptyslate 16 lines, 7 comments, on Feb 20 7:02 AM• Commented on by judge. -
An illustrious meeting filled me with grace
That divine presence cleansing the soul,• Commented on by judge. -
Perhaps some greater poet nearer you
Writes verses that eclipse both me and mine,by Purrsanthema 16 lines, 11 comments, on Feb 22 8:07 PM. In Love• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
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I think this is a lovely contest. I won't enter because I don't have the time to write anything 'perfect' at the moment. I like sonnets.
'5. Ask the reader rhetorical questions' - just out of curiousity, why not? I ask because I don't see any problem with them, so learning why you ask for them to not be there might educate me in some way. -
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Oh dear, I’m so sorry time is a factor for you right now. I hate it when life gets in the way of poetry. Hehe…
Wonderful question and I agree with you that not all rhetorical questions are absolutely lame and can be the main ingredient for a vacuous poem. In fact some of the most literate poetry in history starts with a rhetorical question. However this contest is for traditional formal poetry and the introduction of rhetoric or “words about words” can be a recipe for some snarkable quasi-spiritual post-LangPo tripe and that’s not what I’m looking for.
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This info may help...
Though I rarely trust wikipedia, the info on this subject is good, as I have research the sonnet's long and regal history. It was created by Giacomo De Lentini, though named after Petrarch merely because his examples were the first to be translated, and therefore world famous. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonnet
I also know the 19th century view of sonnets, were as little songs of love and romance, or at least this was the view of New Englands Transendential Poets. Hope this info helps in regards to the strick rules, and Dq list.
Cheers, Robert.
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Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!!
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Stop it, yer scaring me!
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I'm not qualified, lol, I've only ever written about 4 sonnets.
Good luck though! -
I wrote a sonnet in a dentist's waiting room yesterday and I sat there for a whole hour's time, so maybe it is a good sonnet.
I shall enter it after I go for a walk to gather up my courage. 
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definitely !!!
so funny, I also find a lot of poetic inspiration in my dentist's office, and thought I was nuts ... eager to read your "dentist-sonnet", my friend ...
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i'm looking forward to reading the entries so i can learn something
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I'd be glad to give you private lessons Mermaid.
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If you change your mind to admit "previously written" work, please let me know.
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I never wrote a sonnet before..guess this definately isn't for me
but can't wait to read some of these entries and maybe I will be influenced and decide to finally write a handful
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what a challenge ...
especially the dq rules - I guess I will have to work extra hard in order not to fall into all those traps ...
let's see if my sonnet-fairy is willing to use her magic wand for me ...
thank you so much for hosting,
maa
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Ahh Di has gotten me hooked on this form, And am happy to see the contest... If something strikes me, the indeed I shall penn one.
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ohhh. . .if only I'd written more sonnets. . .I love them
but I just haven't written enough. . .
if anyone knows of any contests that accept any sonnet form by those who have not had as much experience, do tell me and I will be much obliged. . . 
I can't wait to see how this contest turns out. . .
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thank you so much for having been our precious hostess in this contest, amera ... the green cup is very much appreciated as well ...
heartfelt congratulations to the brilliant sonneteering trio !
maa -
I am so honored!!! The competition was so great!!! Thank you.
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My thanks and suprise,
I am very honored. Thank you.
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