Rules:
1. White text on a black background only.
- That includes the borders.
- Don't add pictures.
2. Make it relevant to the contest.
- Enter a poem about a country.
- We will define a country as being recognised by at least 2 UN member states.
- You may write about your country's politics, geography, whatever.
- Include the country in your author's notes. If there is no clear link to the country in the poem, please also use this space to explain what the connection is.
- Write about a country that no other entrant has chosen.
3. The random element.
- I have been to 71 countries. This number will likely rise by at least two by the time this contest is judged.
- I will not award gold or silver trophies to a poem about a country I have been to. You have no way of knowing what these countries are, so there is an element of luck involved.
4. No paddy throwing.
- By entering this contest you signal your agreement to me writing whatever I want about your entry and forfeit any right of complaint.
5. Please try and be literate.
6. This contest will be judged in the first week of November (sorry, I do work).
7. That is all.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on November 2
- Rewards: Gold: 401
- Final notes: A slightly better contest than most I've held, but still it seems near impossible for people to follow some very simple rules.
I ask for white on black as it makes the poem the only focus - no pictures or patterns - just the words. And if you can't say it in words you can't say it at all.
I asked for entries not to be doubled up. There are 1,000 poems on here about India, the US, and China, I wanted to ideally hear about some other places. Why nothing on Russia? Why very few on some of the stranger places in the world?
This was also the thinking by banning entries on countries I've been to from getting trophies (the ones in the finalists' list qualified for consideration) - I wanted people to look beyond the obvious.
In this regard I was pleased to see entries on the Marshall Islands and Timur Leste, but horrified to see 5 entries on bloody India - possibly the most overrated and boring country on the planet.
The winning three countries are Zimbabwe, which professionally I can't go to, Portugal, where I go tomorrow, and the Marshall Islands, where I'm never likely to go.
This contest was also worthwhile for reminding me of the great body of work of Barry Hodges, author (I would assume) of the pieces on Latvia and Luxembourg. I would encourage all contest entrants to make for his collections straight away.
A special mention for the entry on Greenland and the rare sight of an allpoetry member taking criticism well and realising that they are not themselves James Joyce reincarnate. Well done also to the 5 people who pulled their entries immediately on me making comment on them - this marks a record low for contests I've judged.
Thanks everyone for the entries.
UP
Contest Winners
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• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
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Engrossed in pensive thoughts while driving home,
pondering history that needs to be told.• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
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I will tell you of Kabunianby momentarylapse 53 lines, 30 comments, on Apr 23 6:43 PM 2005. In Society• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
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Mind provoking,
mysterious,• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
by LittleAnn 24 lines, 26 comments, on Aug 3 3:41 PM 2008. In Vietnam War• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
Gold trophy winner
Silver trophy winner
Bronze trophy winner
Entries [17]
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If anything physical can be immortal,
soul of universe so vividly presentby Freelance writer 22 lines, 18 comments, on Dec 15 1:30 AM 2008• Commented on by judge. Prewrite -
Montgomery is the State capital of Alabama
Known as The Heart Of Dixie State• Commented on by judge. Prewrite -
i know your past is
contiguous, scarred,by usually-untitled 32 lines, 2 comments, on Oct 5 10:40 PM• Commented on by judge. -
waking in the
tin-can room, withby usually-untitled 30 lines, 2 comments, on Oct 5 10:52 PM• Commented on by judge. -
Ice rules the land,
as far as the eye can see.by Moroni 20 lines, 5 comments, on Oct 22 3:01 PM• Commented on by judge. -
Now you might find yourself wondering
you might even stop to take a gander,• Commented on by judge. -
Let me take you by the hand
On a virtual journeyby smitaanand 65 lines, 4 comments, on Sep 12 7:38 AM• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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Comments
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dang! haha..a luck of the draw huh? ...sounds interesting
bookmarked
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I have a couple of pre writes, just checking you ment to leave it on before I enter them.
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Pre-writes
Pre-writes are fine so long as they are adjusted to meet the contest rules.
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This looked interesting, but as I see you live in Russia, you will almost certainly have visited the countries about which I would have submitted poems. Good luck with it anyway.
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Feel free to put the Belarus one back in.
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nice idea you have here!!
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Have you ever been to Estonia?
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Before judging, I'm not saying either way, but I'd appreciate your entry regardless...
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how do you feel about special administrative regions...?
i shall enter two, just in case. -
Thank you for hosting this most interesting contest, and congratulations to the winners!
Annie
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I am particularly Honored to receive the place that I did, and take constructive "help" comments, well, the only trouble I had was trying to change crying guitars, its very portugal, and I had to leave it I hope you have a lovely time in Lisboa, and Portugal I would love to hear what you think of the country!
in admiration and respect
dixie dawn
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