It's a tough row to hoe,
to judge a contest --
and despite all the flack,
I do do my best.
I hope my contestants
consider them "thought food"
and I try to avoid
being crude, mean or rude.
I design my contests
so the idea won't bore them
but one thing I can't do --
is their thinking -- for them.
I help when I can
and try not to laugh
when someone makes
a serious gaff.
I recommend changes
in punctuation and grammar --
and help fix their lines
if they stumble and stammer.
If their writing is bad,
but friends say it's great
I may look and think, "gad",
my critique hesitates.
If I plow through it in a daze,
still I say support one another;
yet I can't falsely praise --
I'm not their father or mother.
Author notes
I sometimes wonder why I host contests since I get so much flack from those who enter. I suppose it's partly because a few of the contestants actually appreciate it when I give them suggestions on how to improve their poetry.
A contest entry
- Exasperated? by RatherImaginative.
1750 points, ended December 18, 2007, 12 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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I commented earlier on this, and I'm glad you entered it in my contest. It fits beautifully!
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Excellent poem , It made me laugh as well keep up the great work and thanks for the tips I'll change those
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(Spoken with tongue firmly in cheek) How dare you offer tactful honesty instead of an ego-stroking!
'Tis a shame that people can't tell the difference between constructive criticism not meant to be personal and actual rudeness. Oh well, that's their loss. I truly hope you won't let it dissuade you from continuing your contests and critiques.
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I enjoyed this a lot and understand your sentiments too. I appreciate people like you who helps others here grow as a poet. This also reminds me of truembrace's message you posted in your page which coincidentally, I happen to read just a while ago. I think you are not being crude or rude in your critical remarks. I guess some people just hesitates to mature. You know poetry than many people here and for that, you have my respect, thus, I consider critiques from you as an honor.
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Hahaha, poetially proclaimed, I as one of the ones you've helped, love it, I want to be better hahaaha, it's my goal. I think you are a great host, keep at it, and good luck in the contest lol
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This poem made me laugh... It is so YOU!
You are a sincere judge of poetry (also in your contests), no doubt about that. You are not crude or rude. With a simple remark though, you can tell exactly what you think of a poem.
A good reader knows what you mean!
You are supporting poets too though and I appreciate you for doing that. How would I ever have been able to learn something without the good critiques? Thanks!
Anna.
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This is kind of a poetically composed open letter yet it has a good rhyme and meter. Hey,I for one appreciate your expertise of editing knowledge and hosting these contest. But I'm a bit bias myself because you have helped me grow as a writer/poet with helpful non abrasive comments. And I appreciate the advice coming most often in the form of private im'd too.If I'm not asking for a critical assessment of a piece. Some feel compelled to do so anyway.Too much about me and ego! Sorry! Now, this piece in message content delivers your intended thoughts quite well.And it's poetic voice makes it all the better. I think most of us feel the same way. After all. This contest forum wasn't intended to be abused in a select preference of awarding just our friends. If that's the case. We have the option of limiting allowed entries to a select group too if we so wish.All in all,a well versed poetic open lettered poem.
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Well, it's not great poetry ...
but it got the idea across, and since I only took ten minutes to compose it, I don't feel that bad about it.
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Hello pops
I Loved this,made me smile, and understand your patience, it followed through whimsical and satirical, of trying to make poets out those you encounter..
sometimes you succeed sometimes its not workable..for I see poetry is a hard and wonderful road, and we have to learn by trying and trying..and I do appreciate having come your way and your constructive critique, all we can do is grow and be better at literacy then like a painting on a canvas..we can weave poems ...So be pleased this poet tips his hat to you..for the hand you held once in awhile and the light you shone , showing me ..work , work , work and hone the words so well.Be so well my friend.
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I totally relate! hehe... nicely written and an easy-to-read poem. good luck in the contest!
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Greatly expressed, I can see what you mean. I think your suggestions (well I know they did) helped improve my Sonnets.
Good luck in the contest, this is very nicely done, you've said what you wanted neatly and the flow was good. The 5th stanza is my favourite
Take care x
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