Immortal
A poet may ride words into forever -
may climb stone shelves into
the mausoleum of words.
A poet may howl like an oiled
albatross, shriek to the deaf,
bare a bard's breast to swords
of kings to sing the very truth.
Call me uncouth, that snarls
at the warlord, that casts
my skeleton of stanzas
onto tomorrow's dusty shelf,
that whispers of ancient love.
I visited my grave today,
fifty-three volumes left
of Allen.
This is a winner take all contest for FORTY THOUSAND POINTS.
This contest is not for the faint of heart. If, in my entirely subjective opinion, your entry is not excellent enough to live beyond your own years, I will remove it without explaination.
I will not limit entries to free verse or metric rhyme, but you would be well served by a knowledge of both, and a way with poetic device. I'm looking for a winner that will change my life, as a handfull of poems have. If you don't believe in editing, and editing again, to polishing every phrase and line; if you write forced rhyme or bad prose with line breaks, devoid of poetic device or nuance like so much of what is published today, this is not the contest for you.
There is no set theme, no prompt other than good poetry.
I will apologize now for those of you who will be removed. Your entry may indeed be better than anything I ever wrote, or ever will, but for a prize of this many hard earned points, my subjective opinion is the only one that matters. For those that don't know me, I have judged a good many contests, here and in the region I live in. I will do my best.
I will keep this open for about five weeks, so take your time.
Closed for judging
- Closed for judging on November 22
- Rewards: Gold: 40000
- This is not an anonymous contest - the editors will be able to see your name.
Preliminary Finalists
As the editor reads entries, favorites are added to this list. (27)-
The Eiffel Tower is awash
in lightshows and music --by ecrivain01 49 lines, 28 comments, on Oct 24 5:53 PM• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
by Danny Beatty 37 lines, 4 comments, on Oct 19 11:14 PM. In Adult, disturbing images, graphic violence, profanity and love• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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by Idle Mind Wondering 102 lines, 9 comments, on Oct 20 12:30 AM• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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by simone waters 138 lines, 6 comments, on Oct 20 3:01 AM• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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No two line preview today.• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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the mere phosphorescence
a glow on the dimmest shoresby Cannonsfire 41 lines, 27 comments, on Oct 20 4:41 PM• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
by Pamela A Lamppa 49 lines, 16 comments, on Oct 20 7:13 PM. In Life• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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by michael thomas 51 lines, 5 comments, on Oct 21 12:55 PM• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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Rhyme Royal ---------------------------------------------------by Amera 24 lines, 19 comments, on Oct 31 7:54 AM. In dedication• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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told me uncommon tales of lifelong gallantry,
and I am glad to have stepped into his clever realm.• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
by Emerald Dog 117 lines, 7 comments, on Nov 1 2:48 PM• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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by Melissa Gayle 81 lines, 9 comments, on Nov 9 3:30 PM• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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Behold the wonders
embedded in the dusty depths of earthby Tinselpool 27 lines, 1 comment, on Nov 21 3:19 PM. In Contest, Fantasy, Life, Lost in thought, World, Inspirational• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Entries [42]
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I see it under my bed it's see through but still able to be seen.
I scream and run for the door, but what? Where is it?...by dragon97 3 lines, 2 comments, on Oct 20 12:28 AM• Commented on by judge. -
by Joe Savage 45 lines, 2 comments, on Oct 20 1:56 AM. In Adult• Commented on by judge.
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It is the rhythm
that guides and glides• Commented on by judge. -
As transparent as chrystal quartz
Surrounded by a nimbus of gold• Commented on by judge. -
“The Extraordinary Poet Marc Creamore”
(Biblio-biographic Profile — Acrostic)by Andre ben-YEHU 45 lines, 16 comments, on Nov 12 8:22 AM• Commented on by judge. -
There are places in the forest
where the grass is rich green.• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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TIME PASSING SO MISERABLY SLOW
HEART CUMBLING, MY MIND A MOJOR MESS• Commented on by judge. -
I walked through life with an
I don't care,• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
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Yikes! My entry wouldn't be good enough to live beyond the first stroke of a thought, but I'll sure come back to read the folks who have the potential for immortality ... I always do coz I'm a reader
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Bah, humbug. Your pen has strong Kung Fu...
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Ohhh, HELL YEAHHH, I'll be here. For Marc, and for you. Thank you for hosting this one, Rob. Good luck to all who choose to enter and bring their hearts and souls along for the ride. 
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I'll be there when the whips are cracking - the only way to extend is to REACH. Great contest, two poets I admire a lot in you and Marc. I don't expect to write anything that will live beyond my years, but I have to start with little steps, and I can't think of better company to do that with. Especially seeing the two reservations there already!
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I do believe this is too intimidating for myself.
but I will bookmark to read the amazing entries you are sure to get. -
Marc deserves immortality, would that I could do his pen of knowledge and wisdom justice it deserves, but I can but try
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I doubt if i could write anything to change your life...or for that matter be immortal and certainly couldnt do justice to the words of marc creamore...
logic precludes me of metaphores and poetic device
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I will really be dissapointed if you don't write for this. Methinks you protest too much.
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Five weeks is surely, a very short time to write an "Immortal" poem.
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Truly
It will be open longer than that; I just don't know how much longer. Hell, it may take me five weeks and a number of co-judges just to judge it after closing.
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you gotta run before you fall.
i'm doin it. -
Rob-
a gesture here that speaks well of the time Marc has spent here on AP; he raised a voice against things he thought wrong and in praise of the wonderful capacity in people to do good things, very fitting that he is honored here, by generosity and an outpouring of good will and best intentions. I hope it has the desired effect of lifting his spirits. Good for you, all my best to Marc...PK -
I think i just finished something that could be worthy but either way i want to keep in mind when commenting on my entry i want you to be brutally honest with me. i would like to get a good critical review from someone with as much knowledge of poetry as you seem to have
thanks and i hope to hear from you -
I would join; but the fact of the matter is I dont know if you will like my style.
Ive never met you here on AP.
Hmm... Will read somee of your work and make judgement to enter or not. -
40,000 points huh?
Right ... I will enter this contest. This contest will be enhanced by my entry. As I am the second best poet on this site I feel duty bound to whack together a few words to lift the standard to somewhat above average.
It isn't hard writing poetry as good as what I write. A page of poetry written by my good self shimmers like gold.
When I win this contest I will keep 39,000 points and very generously donate 1,000 points to the first of the losers. Third place doesn't deserve any because really, third place is only a sympathy place, isn't it?
I'll thank you in advance Rob. Look, don't bother reading my submission, it'll only put doubts in your own mind when you next come to write a poem.
It would be so much neater for all to just send me yet another gold trophy and the few points you've put up.
As for the 99 poets who have tried very very hard to be better than me, I don't feel sorry for them. No. I look at it as a way of them learning by the experience and this will only make them stronger. They will be able to look at future contests and if they se emy name they'll be able to say proudly "Oh, no, I wont enter this contest because it will only de-value nogods entry". I do appreciate this, thank-you.
Right ... please be aware of my upcoming submission. Your contest deserves its brilliance.
Kind Regards,
Nog.
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You are awesome. The most epic comment...ever, for the most epic contest...ever.
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teehee
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Your comment alone is noteworthy!
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wonderful tribute..
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Most epic contest...ever.
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I have it bookmarked...
he is a wonderful soul. -
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True
At different times, were it not for Marc and J.D I would have stopped writing long ago.
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How'd I miss this, yikes. Bookmarked. Nothing like pressure...
wonderful idea, btw. -
i hope i can do justice to this fine man..
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I must come back for this before the deadline. I am not up to my best wits lately but for Marc I will give it 100%!
Love You ♥
Renee
BOOKMARKED! -
I will give this my best try. I would be honored to be read, commented, and deleted by you. . . or not.
This is scary
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fantastic. I love how youre going to separate the boys from the men in this one!
I will be entering but I will take my time, unlike the ones who added their poem 30 seconds after seeing the 40,000 points
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I doubt it's up to what you are ...
looking for, but I forced myself to write something. I doubt I'll be up to writing after next week, so I thought I'd give it a try now.
Good luck with the competition. -
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I certainly understand. I wish your health was better, and Marc's, and, for that matter, mine. I am, however, not looking for any particular type of poetry or subject matter. The poems I consider immortal include everything from sonnets and villinelles to beat epics, and everything in between.
I hope you find the energy and desire to represent the sonneteers, my friend.
Be well.
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Holy smoke - I don't think I could ever do Marc justice, but I hope you get some entries as amazing as the both of you
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sorry to ask, but i want to get it right. is the prompt the poem? the man Marc Creamore? Marc Creamore's poetry? Or a poem that is just as good as his, if that is possible?
Cheers Lucy x -
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There is no prompt. I'm just looking for GOOD poetry of any variety or theme.
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Will this be open longer Rob or is Nov 2 it?
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This will be open for a good while.
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i wish i had found this contest earlier. it would be my best work ever if i could write the winning poem for this in the last 3 hours of the contest. oh well, maybe another time.
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I wish you all good luck. And hope you write many masterpieces in your lifetime!
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