It is your turn.
Your palms sweat, you wriggle nervously in the seat. The musty books around you speak of quiet confidence, but your still feel those first-time flutters.
You get up, stand at the little lectern, tap the mike, and begin to speak those words you practiced all afternoon, just to get them to sound right…
~O~
You have been invited to Odyssey’s first poetry reading. Give me the poem you would get up and read, standing in front of an audience at an inner west Sydney café. I want to hear the poem you feel you would like to present at such an evening, but here is the thing.
The invitation says “No Prewrites”
Guidelines…
Unique, entertaining, can be of any genre, any subject - but you will be presenting to a mixed audience. No restrictions on length, but you don't want the audience falling asleep at their tables either. Rhyming / freeverse - either is fine.
You would think, at a reading, spelling mistakes wouldn’t matter, but I still don’t want to see them.
Provide feedback on at least two other poems read, before the night ends.
A poetry reading should also give us something of the heart of poetry itself. Don’t be afraid to refer to the masters and quote (no more than 5 lines), if you can tie the lines into the theme of your own poem. It should not be integrated, and should name the poet of reference. Please “ “. (If you are looking for an example, check out my poem Amaryllis).
You may bring two poems to this reading.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on March 27, 2004
- Rewards: Gold: 350
- Final notes: This was by far the hardest contest I’ve had to judge – I loved so many of the entries and this time round, I most certainly did not have enough trophies…
There was some controversy over one of the trophies, some of the audience got up, took their white hankies and walked out, but the judge could not deny the original twist on the subject and the underlying love, truth and honesty in the piece.
The other trophies are very deserving and I have many other favourite poems in the bunch. Tough, tough line up, you all did really well.
Entries [10]
1 - 10 of 10-
another poem about the effect music has on meby Fire-Pistil 20 lines, 12 comments, on Mar 10 4:25 AM 2004. In Other• Commented on by judge.
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I stand in front of the crowd,by MuseStalker 42 lines, 13 comments, on Mar 10 4:26 AM 2004. In Other• Commented on by judge.
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• Commented on by judge.
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Just my thoughts on what I would be like if I had to read in front of a crowd. (the last two lines would be nice - but not expected LOL)by My Nemesis 32 lines, 6 comments, on Mar 13 2:20 AM 2004. In Other• Commented on by judge.
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I look through this broken window,
the broken, shattered shards remain,by Remedyofone 21 lines, 7 comments, on Mar 18 2:48 PM 2004. In Other• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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Just press the barrel hard against your brain
squeeze the trigger end it quickly...• Commented on by judge. -
I find thoughts of childhood lost,
and dwell upon impossibilities,• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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These worries are driving me insane
I'm trying to deal with them• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
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ohh good idea muzz Ody... But I to shy
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yeahhhh riiiiiiiiiiiigggghhht. Shy.
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I like this.. an opportunity for strong.. 'visual-word' poetry.. to write ..'to'the audience itself.. nice idea!!..You should get some amazing poetry in this one...and lots of it..
~~whims -
I Really Think Your Contest Idea Is So Refreshing, As I Penn'd I Pictured That Cafe' You Described......Your Very Creative
Thank You For The Opportunity To Enter
~Angel~ -
oooh, great idea! I shall have to think on this one, and see if i can come up with something fitting.
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Great Idea! Sounds like a real challenge. I'll have to give it a try.
Thanks for challenging us with a different type of contest.
Amanda -
Oh, nice! That sounds like fun! I've always wanted to do that, go to a poetry reading and do something, but I never did
who knows tho, maybe one of these days I will 
hmm...I think maybe I'll hafta give this a try And oh, the backround is great, I love it
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Such a unique and refreshing idea, I hope you get a multitude of offerings, and I hope it's what you are looking for, don't think I can come up with something, but I'll give it a go, I love a challenge.........Take care and Good luck with this one....
Sanity.
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I dunno so much about reading a poem in front of people. shudders Sounds scary as hell to me.
I'm really bad with people. However, I give you props for such an original contest idea and if you need any help with judging, I'm your apostle.
LIX -
Now I am going to have to give this some serious thought. This is quite the challenge. Some of my favorite writers are attorneys. Does it have to be rhyming poetry (although that won't scare me)? If I use words from "Ego Trippin'" by Nikki Giovanni, I have to back those words up, am I going in the right direction here? How long, how short? This is great, I will enter very soon. Gotta go to class at 3:30 so I'm off till later. Excellent Idea!!!
Ja
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Long / short the length is up to you, no restrictions...rhyme / free, again - your choice. Any quotes you use, must be "enclosed", and I would like it to relate to your poem, if that is what you mean by back those words up.
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yikes. last week i wrote a poem and read it the next day, at a reading. that's the closest to 'no prewrites' i've ever gotten, and that won't work for your contest....
cool idea, though.
ex oh pseudofemme -
Sounds inviting. However, if I were to find myself at an inner Sydney cafe, I would insist on finding a local native, in hopes of exchanging "cultural couture".
Poetry reading may be part of that exchange, but not something I would dare try in public. Unless of course, I was plied with Grolsch Bock. In that case, I may try anything!
~ss -
A great idea for the contest.
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I guess I am a little confused on what your looking for. Are you looking for a poem about reading poems? or just a poem on any subject that you have to referance a master's work?
Lf LadyKat
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inspirational
this is a great challenge.it will inspire the muse in a lot of people.you are getting great entries already.this is so inspirational and i hope you enjoy judging it.good luck. -
I am looking for the poem you would write to read out at a poetry reading. Can be any subject, and you may refer back to the masters (although this is just an option, you don't HAVE to). What I want to see is the poetry you would feel proud enough to get up and read to an audience.
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Hmm this is an interesting, unique contest...poetry READING...good luck judging this...it sounds easy to do so. Lata
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awesome
WOW<<<<< I have no idea if I am in the right place but what I just read is awesome. BRAVO to what I have just seen. (was that just the introduction ?,,,,,,,,,,, wow !) -
Um, lol - I guess you are in the right place...you going to "read" us a poem or are you going to sit in the audience and watch?
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This seems like a cool contest...i'd enter if i could only think of a concept to write on...write now i kinda have writers block, but if i think of anything i'll enter. good luck to everyone in the contest!
~Dee -
Interesting contest, but I think I'm confused. I don't really know what you're asking for (I'm sorry, I get confused super easily)
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I am looking for the poem you would write to read out at a poetry reading. Can be any subject. What I want to see is the poetry you would feel proud enough to get up and read to an audience.
Edited on Mar 19, 8:02 p.m. because ''. -
Sloooooooooooow mutants. Hehehehe Sorry, Ody, it has to be a pain.
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Awwww this is a great contest but i won't be able to enter i.m afraid me very shy *sobs* but i hope you get many good entries and ya never know i might get over my fear one day Jacqui
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i love this contest...sadly I can't enter, because the only piece I'd have a hard time reading is one I've already written...but good luck to each of you...
always,
amberlee -
Wow...so many cool entries...I'm having trouble commenting, but I'll get around to it.
Peaces
Chris -
Very creative contest. It's nice to see when people actually put some thought into it. Bravo!
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great contest, I had a lot to get out, and this was a perfect way to do it. enjoyed writing my piece. have fun judging-you have some really good entries!
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Ok, contest closed, time to judge. ~bites fingernails~ this is going to be a toughy. So many to choose from! Thanks everyone...and good luck. May the force be with me.
) -
PS: To everyone that entered...it will probably take me a few days to judge this, which will give those of you who haven't yet commented on at least two poems a chance to do so. Those that have, thank you for being so supportive.
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Hiya this is to let you all know that Odyssey is having a little internet connection trouble and she will be back ASAP to judge the entries. Good luck to you all!!!
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It's 3 in the morning, my parent just busted my chops for being late for dinner, and sleep...well, long story, I'm absolutely shocked...I read so many good pieces here, I didn't see this coming...props to all who participated...thanks ody.
peace
Chris -
told you we'd be late with your messing about.
what? oh, well we're here now, just use the mike anyway.
but there is no one here!
so.
give me a drink of that wine, now, stop fecking about.
ahem - rolls yesterday in the back of the throat
damnit man i need the toilet.
hey who's that in the corner/
where? - there.
dunno.
ahem.
i...
....i
i.
stop fecking stuttering man!
i wandered lonely...
that's not yours and you know it!
damn.
shall i do a new one or old one?
why not both - the same no one here will hear you not.
DW8236
D for degraded, swept along
the carpet of nameless faces,
stripped to the soul, and beyond,
if they could, they try anyway everyday.
Ignoring questions if their mood's not right,
looking past the eyes as if you didn't exist,
but we do, they know that,
we're their porridge, we eat ours,
they bathe in theirs, soaking up
the power games, secret smiles.
W for wishing it had all happened differently,
the road that led to dehumanised.
The thoughts of 'if' and 'but'
that alter the past a thousand times
until you realise that this isn't a dream,
but reality's nightmare, sugar-coated
with goals and get in line.
8 for the time to suffer their breakfast,
enough to make you hungry, that's all,
a choice of cheap one thing or another,
but at least it's a choice in this place
where everything's on paper, but
reality has different ideas to that!
2 for two-timed by life
as your back was turned,
she kicked you while sleep took you
in a drunken haze
and then she slapped you with time;
to think, to get your act together,
to prepare you for failure
in a snake-pit of torment.
3 for that freedom cry that echoes
through dreams in restless nights
and then you're awake to the routine again,
for the breakdown of time into segments
of morning, afternoon and night,
no continuous stroll that used to keep your pace.
6 for the six times a day they open you up,
if you're lucky enough to get exercise!
The breakfast cut, the education tuck,
the dinner fold, the tea-time slice,
the last cup of tea and then,
you're stitched up until the next day
decides to operate again in earnest.
and the new one?
ahem.
runs off crying like a baby
enticed back with wine
the world slips....
can't think of one now!
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lol - i...
....i
i.
stop fecking stuttering man!
LMAO.
What made you come back here so late - (stumbles around in the dark, bangs hip on a table, crashes into a pile of unshelved, unsorted books)...
While you've got that wine out...
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and this line...
"W for wishing it had all happened differently,"
Are you reading my mind?? lol ~sighs~
Sometimes, I think that particular thought for hours.
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Silver trophy winner
Gold trophy winner
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