English Poetry Contest - September

Sweet Hermione · Geplaatst: Di Sep 02, 2008 20:53

Hello everybody and welcome to a new English Poetry Contest!
This challenge will be organized every month, by Marlie (child of the other side) and Charlotte (Sweet Hermione).

The idea is very simple. We decide the subject, you write the poem. (And of course, we’ll try to make an entry as well.) This can be anything that’s inspiring; another poem, a lyric, a title, a picture, a word, etc. We’ll try to vary the subject as much as possible.

Every participant has to maintain the following rules:

- You are not allowed to write more than one poem per contest
- The poem must be yours
- The poem must have something to do with the subject. Please write a few words above/below your poem to tell us a little about it (just like you usually do)
- Don’t comment on other people, you can do that via the pb-button or during the voting
- Don’t make your poem too long, 5 pages about one subject is boring
- Let someone beta it. There are many beta-readers on HPF and Cotos, TONKS and SH are willing to assist people who do want to compete but are not that good in English. With the right words your poem reads a lot easier. Don’t be ashamed just pb
- You must send your poem to SH or to Cotos; you’re no longer allowed to post it by yourself

About the voting:

- Don’t vote for yourself nor before SH / Cotos give permission. If you do your vote won't count
- Explain with more then 15 words why you’ve chosen a certain poem. “I love it” won’t do
- You only have three votes. The first vote will be 3 points, the second vote 2 points, and your last vote will be 1 point. We will count all these points per person. The three poets with the most points are the winners. Please, place these votes in the same post and think before you make a choice, we don’t appreciate cheaters
- You have to vote before the given date, if you cast your vote later it doesn’t count

Well, those were the rules and now the most important part; PRIZES!

1st place - 40 sickles
2nd place - 30 sickles
3rd place - 20 sickles

No one can win the first price more than 3 times in a row. If so, SH / Cotos will decide what to do. I hope you all understand why we do this.

The subject of this month had to do with the 4th Harry Potter book. Genner gave an idea of a subject. So the subject will be loss. Harry lost Cedric in book 4, but the poem doesn't have to be about death. It can also be about losing something like your pet, an ability, a memory or just losing a game. Or maybe you feel like your lost your childhood? Whatever you assiociate with loss - go, write and send us your poem.
If anyone has ideas for book 4 t/m 7 please give a call.
We'll send you all our love.

Please send your poem between the 2th and the 24th of September.
And you can vote between the 25th and 30th (24.00) of September.

We wish everybody good luck and lots of fun. If you have any suggestions, tips, notes or ideas; feel free to use the lovely pb-button, it’s begging to be pushed.

Charlotte (Sweet Hermione) and Marlie (Cotos).

Sweet Hermione · Geplaatst: Vr Sep 05, 2008 21:44

1st poem

This subject was an easy one for me - I think I lost my almost-lover. It's probably the best solution but it hurts so much, it's horrible.

The past/'would's are used to point that the things in the past did not really happen, but should have happened - but it would go wrong.
The title is acutally some kind of joke: I recently read that soya limites the libido of men and women. I thought it was quite fitting for this poem.

---

Soya soon

Let’s say we bought the fields of London
and let the pastures lay with us
But the sun and moon would disappear
and you’d get a cold and

Let’s say we lived in your castle to
catch wings and make love
But the clouds would blind the view so
you’d drop your glasses and

Let’s say we went to the park to
recolour the trees that were ours
But the woods would blush in blue
when you released your soaking eyes and

Let’s say you put it back in suprise and
left me (prideless) tragical today
Our flowers may rot in the same bottle but
you’re the one who got away

Sweet Hermione · Geplaatst: Za Sep 06, 2008 18:33

2nd poem

My poem is about making choices which will affect that friendship, about choosing the lesser of two evils, but it is mainly about losing a friend you love so much.

---

A smile against the pain

I loved our days of pretend, just
a smile against the pain.
I knew – did I? – I couldn't tell
the sunshine from the rain.

Both waiting for a time that
was always running late.
Truth is, there was no time
to stand around and wait.

Blind as children, stumbling
uneven terrain.
I laughed at life, you lived
on love, drove me insane.

Something broke, can you
revive the past?
Shattered heart, I'll glue
your pieces to the last.

I'll help, hurt you, and
never leave you again.
I don't know the truth, but
I'll be with you till the end.

child of the other side · Geplaatst: Zo Sep 07, 2008 20:19

3rd Poem

This subject was an easy one for me to write about. This poem is about someone who lost a lover to death and can't deal with that. She - or he - can't cope with the death of their soul mate and tries to find a way to keep the love alive, beyond death.

***

Beyond

Between the void of death
And the abyss of eternal life
I saw your life come to an end
I said farewell, good-bye

In the shadows of our past
I saw a gentle flame
I followed the candle of hope
Prayed for us to remain

All in vain, you are gone
Never to return again
The only place where I belong
It hasn't changed, it's in your arms
I love you, still

child of the other side · Geplaatst: Zo Sep 07, 2008 20:23

4th Poem

I have written this poem after listening this song Je pense a toi (I think of you). It is an emotional song by two blind artists and displays some views of Africa. It reminds me of how happy I should be, because they have so little.
This poem is about losing your only/last friend, of course it can also be applied to European situations.

***

Je pense a toi

You have been my only friend
As standing and waiting passed by
When the rain came down in ashes
Where the unborn birds merely die

You were the only one left
In a place of lament and pain
We stood, hand in hand
As the world changed itself in vain

Do not ask me where to roads go,
Or why we never hear the sun
I do not know what language is
When humans converse with a gun

You know me as I know you
As a tree that grew in two
And as they took you away from me
That tree left in winter’s flue

I am the only one left
In a place of loss and isolation
I waited, hand upon hand
As the world cried out in exasperation

child of the other side · Geplaatst: Do Sep 25, 2008 18:25

IT IS *surprise, surprise* VOTING TIME.

About the voting

How to vote:
My first/second/third vote goes to poem number:
Because:

You can vote till the 30th of September (24.00 o'clock). Good luck. ^^

Sweet Hermione

First vote to poem: 4
Because: ''I do not know what language is / When humans converse with a gun'', well, that's because. The poem gave me shivers and that's enough to give you the first vote. xD

Second vote to poem: 2
Because: It was a hard choice, but allright. I love the last stanza, because I can relate to it. I also really love poems about friendship. I'm not fond with your title, though, but allright.

Third vote to poem: 3
Because: It's original and it scares me a bit. I think the candle is a good methaphore.

FelixdeFeniks · Beginnend Tovenaar Verdiend: 0 Sikkels Woonplaats: HPF.

Can I still vote? [a] I really forgot to.

First vote to poem: 1
Because: I really like it, especially the "and"s at the end of every stanza. There's some pretty imagery in it ("recolour the trees", "our flowers may rot in the same bottle") and I like the fact that nature plays a prominent role in the poem.

Second vote to poem: 3
Because: First of all, I like the fact that it doesn't (make an attempt to) rhyme and still is a strong poem. The last stanza really touches me, especially the last sentence - it's simple, but just right.

Third vote to poem: 4
Because: Although the rhythm and rhyme could have worked better, in my opinion, I still really like this poem. It's touching and contains beautiful words/sentences. I especially like the third stanza, it's utterly beautiful.

Sweet Hermione

Well, I think we can close this one. The results are:

1st place, 4 points:
poem 4 - child of the other side (40 sickles)

2nd place / 3rd place, 3 points:
poem 1 - Sweet Hermione (25 sickles)

2nd place / 3rd place, 3 points:
poem 3 - Genner (25 sickles)

Congrats!

Poem 2 - FelixdeFeniks, 2 points