Stars and Lines: Seasonally-Affected Poetry Contest **Winners announced**

reply to post by jeanvaljean


Thanks! I pride myself in my writing abilities.

The Christmas Present

Snow curtains criss-cross the sky in diagonal lines
Yesterday it was sheets of sleet and panes of rain
But to dare hope for snow, wish for snow and it came!
Just for you.

Last minute plans for holidays
Gathering safely into the fold
"Pray that your flight is not in winter"
TSA hands are cold.

I'm a little late to the party, but seeing as how it's my birthday and I am sitting here listening to the wind, I am in the mood to write a poem. It has been many years, but here I go......



Winters Past


The wind whispers to me, calling my name
Moaning a tune from long forgotten games

When my mind once ran free to believe what it wanted
As a child in the landscape of winter once haunted

The snow was my castle, icicles my swords
To fight off the dragons that threatened the Lords

As snowflakes fell lazily out of the sky
I created a world where the brave do not die

The battleground littered with snowballs and laughter
I claim my throne to rule, for here-ever-after

Brought back with a bang, as the windows rattle
I look out at the leaves caught in a winter battle

For but only a moment I think I can see
A knight in the middle nodding at me

Laughing out loud, I run out in my yard
A middle-aged woman who often tries hard

To forget the kingdom always waiting for me
Every Winter it's there, if I only believe

will the short stories start when the poetry ends?
You see I'm quite eager to put paper to pen.....ds.

-B.M

My poor brain...
Addled with months of useless activity in the service of
Corporate America
It has fallen into a groove.

We approach the holidays
I am a contractor, 
supposedly I get paid for hours worked.

Oh no, not here.
Here we are paid eight hours a day no matter what.
It is because we fill in CapEx reports a week or more in advance.
Treated as exempt employees.

Problem is, we work much more than eight hours a day!
We are required to work on-call.
Many nights until after midnight or later.

I love how my boss says,
"Happy New Years!  
Take off at three tomorrow,
but stay available".

Uh...ok.

On the other hand...

Last year was too depressing.
I could not be bothered with
Holiday spirit.

This year, I ran to greet it!

Sent the cards,
Wrapped the gifts,
 (uh, *'bought* the gifts, 
that is probably an important point)

Did my darn'dest to invest in and enjoy the holiday spirit!

You know what?
I think it worked.
Despite the reindeer that kept falling over in front.
Despite the fact the kids only receive and do not give.
Despite the work schedule.

Just between you and me,
I think maybe there is something to this holiday spirit.

Just between you and me,
I think maybe there is something to the traditions we follow.

Sadly, 
my friend who helps a homeless camp
came back from his holiday trip this year to find it evacuated.
Nobody left
Nobody there.

What happened?

Nevertheless,
I think there may be something to this holiday spirit.

I don't often publicly share things like this - in fact I never share them. I also rarely write anything that rhymes, preferring formlessness and free verse styles. I haven't really written any poetry in a few years but seeing this thread prompted me to give this a shot.

Memory
as vague as a mist in the dawn
strokes my thoughts like a spirits touch
burning embers
spark inside me
like discarded yesterdays
igniting a phoenix raze
it's you
it's you

December
the cold seering thoughts in my soul
your absence is on everything I see
voices laughing
children playing
yet it's all so far away
lost in what I failed to say
to you
to you

Reflection
the north winds returning me here
and all at once, I understand
past forgotten
paths not taken
are places I can't stay
so I put these things away
of you
of you
for me.

~Heff

I am liking the rhythm of that, very nice!

Probably too late
We may have missed out on stars
Kudos regardless

(5-7-5)

Gwynnhwyfar

The contest is over
Many have gone so far
to share their writings
now give em a star!

__________

No, really, give ppl some love! There are some great poets in this thread! It was a pleasure to post with you all!

reply to post by blamethegreys


Yes, the contest is over with the posting of this... erm... post.

Now, the thing is to let it simmer for a few days on low heat, giving members a chance to star what they consider the best because it's the ones with the most stardust that are going to win. So, without hesitation, lay on the stars.

Man, I wish I could star all of the entries, fantastic stuff from everyone! It is indeed an honor to be among the talented lot of you...cheers!

So far there are two posts that have 10 stars.

Kinda weak response for a contest.

How about some more stars for what you consider the best?

reply to post by masqua


I can't add any more - not allowed - so this is another bump.

Someone with stars left to give do us a favour & please share your opinion on ze poems via some stars...

thanking you..

-B.M

reply to post by B.Morrison


Well... I'll be bumping this thread today and the weekend, hoping to see some clear winners as chosen by the membership.

Otherwise, I'll have to re-think these poetry contests and how to judge them.

I've starred what I could, but its kinda odd starring the competition... not that I'm up there or anything... I only got three so far... :-(

reply to post by MagoSA


Yes... it is unusual. On the other hand, it was a worthy test to see if the membership as a whole could actually be a judging panel. That it didn't work very well is kinda obvious.

No matter. We'll be figuring the best three and awarding the prizes as mentioned.

The real issue is what to give out as prizes anymore, since a high points total is only window dressing for members. We could rack up a million but can't use them for anything.

The bumping and star begging (by me especially ) will continue through the weekend in the hopes of breaking ties. On Monday, we'll see what we have, close the thread, make that final decision and award the prizes.

Winners could get "poet" tags instead of member...

Really I think everyone contributing should get an even amount of points, and the winners just get attaboys (or attagirls, or whatever). I know I didn't post here for the prize anyway!

Originally posted by blamethegreys
Winners could get "poet" tags instead of member...

I like. Didn't post for prize, but that would be REALLY cool.