BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Peace
Date: 24 May 04 - 07:25 PM

Helluva lotta good poets around the 'cat.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Bill D
Date: 24 May 04 - 07:40 PM

The Chicken Tree

"This is the chicken tree,
Where the chickens like to be."

    Bill D- age 6 my first poem

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: GUEST
Date: 24 May 04 - 07:45 PM

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Harlowpoet
Is better than any of you

Sorry chaps

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Bill D
Date: 24 May 04 - 07:46 PM

Herons. Sunset. Withered Aster.
Premonitions of disaster.
Dark clouds racing. Anguished moon,
Trying not to rise too soon.
Last geese flying. Leafless tree.
Again, November has to be.

   Bill D -- age 17 or so

...so, now it is obvious why I went into Philosophy and woodworking.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Blackcatter
Date: 24 May 04 - 08:32 PM

I didn't know exactly why I started this thread but I left if for 7 ours and we've had 54 posts and tons of poetry.

That's a good enough reason for me.

Like much of what I do - the thread is an exploration and an experimentation - I chose the title to be provocative, considering I was think of the topic of it being a search for a poet laureate - a concept that may have little to do with the "best" poet or poetry.

Like those laureats of the U.S. and England - the Laureat of the Mudcat may be called upon to compose works for official occasions

So while you keep the poetry coming how about a discussion of what a poet laureate is or means.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 May 04 - 10:29 PM

Mudcat's Best Poet Contest

Quality in poems can be so elusive
Some are succinct and some effusive
Adjudication would be inconclusive
And the losers may become abusive

Pardon me if I seem intrusive
The idea is as practical as a Crazy Glue sieve

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 May 04 - 10:49 PM

'crazy glue sieve'- Marvelous!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Amergin
Date: 24 May 04 - 11:33 PM

I think it should be Tang the Orangutan...pure genius to write about such things like eating lice and fleas...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 24 May 04 - 11:45 PM

All who have posted here in prose or in verse
Are winners by virtue of talents disclosed
But please do not choose of a better nor worse
Appreciate each as a vision reposed
On a cloud o'er a patchwork of fences high
That keep out the kept out for reasonings dim
But clouds suspend skylines with horizons to try
All you who see new lands I wait for your whim
Eager am I to delight in subjectives
Confusing them not with tyrant's objectives
ttr

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 May 04 - 12:07 AM

A Mudcat Poet Laureate?
Cause he talks about the fleas he e't
I like his poems a lot
but I think... not

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: dianavan
Date: 25 May 04 - 12:22 AM

Do you accept angry poems with a political statement?

Something tells me if I want to be a winner, I have to write about love or nature or something beautiful.

I'm looking through some of my old stuff to see if there is anything appropriate for this thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Metchosin
Date: 25 May 04 - 12:38 AM

As a Canadian Inuit poet explained to the Danish explorer Rasmussen over a hundred years ago, "Songs are thoughts, sung out when people are moved by great forces, and ordinary speech no longer suffices".

And so it is for good poetry, that which "begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness" and is written for human - not academic - consumption.

It is a rare talent that can make the subject "glow like coloured glass in a black and white world", as was Al Purdy's stated aim.

copyright: Rosella Melanson, First published in the New Brunswick Telegraph Journal April 2001.

That said:

Why the hell should poetry be turned into some sort of contest? Seems to me some people could turn taking a shit into a competition....good grief!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 04 - 12:49 AM

Smartly put, Mets.   Making a poetry contest is an interesting but self-contradictory impulse. I.e., true poetry does not contest, and that which contests is surely one step short of true poetry.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Metchosin
Date: 25 May 04 - 01:15 AM

my apologies for being a bit harsh, but lately my exasperation over a lot of things in this world is sometimes hard to contain. It seems a shame to me that some gems from the tenderist of egos would not see the light of day if poetry was to be viewed as a contest.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: GUEST,tang the orangutan
Date: 25 May 04 - 01:27 AM

Ode To Lice

White and brown
Crawling on many legs
In the reddish brown jungle
Of my body hair
Communing with the fleas
Creating itches everywhere
Food for my empty belly
You crawl around me
Hiding amongst the mats
Of my soft long hair
Sucking my blood
Feeding your young
As I hunt for you
To eat you
A vicious circle.

TTO

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Blackcatter
Date: 25 May 04 - 01:45 AM

Metchosin,

Fair enough - My intention was to do some exploring and I chose the title to the thread. I am fully aware that:

1) I could be wrong.

2) I'm probably wrong.

3) People will tell my i'm wrong.

4) They could be wrong.

5) The Mudcat community will decide what's wrong and right.

6) Whether I'm right or wrong - at least there's more poetry on the Mudcat today than yesterday and that's a GOOD THING!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Metchosin
Date: 25 May 04 - 01:50 AM

yes, it is.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Amergin
Date: 25 May 04 - 01:51 AM

Especially with such talents as Tang the Orangutan in full bloom.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Blackcatter
Date: 25 May 04 - 02:23 AM

A bloomin' orangutan?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 25 May 04 - 04:04 AM

"I wish
                I was your seatbelt"...

Beardedbruce, I adored this one! Then again, I have a better sense of humour than a sense of great poetry, I'm afraid.

Still rootin' for ya..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 08:06 AM

Thanks.

Not sure I would be a good PL, as I write when the Muse strikes me. Might be hard for me to fulfill the duties of writing, say, a verse to MOAB. NOT that it is not worthy of verse, just that I would not be inspired.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 08:19 AM

Metchosin: I agree.

Tang : You have that form pretty much under control- but can you write any other?


GUEST :
"Date: 24 May 04 - 07:45 PM

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Harlowpoet
Is better than any of you:

PLEASE!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 08:33 AM

dianavan:

ALL poems are acceptable. I will attempt to only make comments on their poetic structure, not comment. A good critic does not have to agree with the content of a poem to like it, and see where it works.

I have posted some sonnets with content that I am sure that people do not agree with. That is fine: I ask only that verse be judged by its quality, not by opinions of content.



As for Tang, if he has heart-felt feelings about fleas, he should write about them. Poetry should reflect the thoughts, desires, and dreams of the poet....

Sonnet 24/01/02                        DCL

A sonnet is a frozen tear, a kiss,
Preserved in fourteen lines. It is a pearl
Of layered thought, a gem too bright to miss
When set on page: One blossom, to unfurl
To perfect flower. As amber, sealed soul
In timeless tomb, it can show time long past,
Or hold this instant in it's grasp. The whole
Of heart upon one single page, to last
Beyond even our dreams, it seems a sip,
Distilled to essence. Refined within mind,
Lines sing sweet song, and rhymes in patterns slip,
To weave image that leaves mere vision blind.
A single chord, to resound in one's heart:
Echo of past that might our future start.


Each form has it's own focus- but poetry is something expressed in the best way that the poet can find within him/herself.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 08:38 AM

sorry, hit return before proofing...

I will attempt to only make comments on their poetic structure, not on the content. Any judgements will be on how well you say something, not what you say.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 08:46 AM

Sonnet 30/01/03                        DCCLXXXIV

Hope lost, and vision blind, I seek for end
To my desire. Why do I dream, in dark
And silence? I don't know reason to send
All to this absence, where soul leaves no mark.
I long for past, when words would have smile earned,
Though memories offer dust: How can I think
That I would rest, to have her feelings learned?
What hope had I to ever two hearts link?
I fear this future, without touch or sight,
Too cold to allow rest. I'll not regret
Past hopes, though perhaps know I have no right
To dream illusions real, when we've not met.
Yet, though I cannot dreams, nor feelings, share,
Soul smiles, knowing that heart will always care.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 08:47 AM

Sonnet 24/01/03                        DCCLXXXII

I weep, but my tears freeze: I hear them break,
Shattered to dust. What can I do, to mourn
All I have lost? Ashes and sackcloth make
Small change in my attire, and all is torn.
What flowers might I bring, to past dream's grave?
It does not matter: Just clay is at hand.
All blows away- I cannot even save
Memories from chill wind, nor frost withstand.
Winter has truly come: My heart feels chill,
Beyond the touch of fire. Hope has no place
Of refuge, nor can desires linger still:
Only despair alone can season face.
Numb with the cold, fingers struggle to write:
In truth, the color of death may be white.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 08:51 AM

onnet 10/03/02                        DCLXVI

The stars were hidden by clouds, and the rains
Fell in an endless stream. Detail hidden
By those curtains, the dark shadows deepen,
Emptiness filling all, yet all remains.
Mirrors in these pools lie shattered, and show
No light, or image. Each drop scattered sight,
Hiding even darkness in the wet night.
From sky, to ground, to sea, the waters flow:
A cycle, to reign over all. And down
From heaven, to wash clean both air and stream..
The darkness still remains, as in some dream:
How could I hope that night would sorrows drown?
The sun peeked out, and rainbow formed with day,
The water flowing rapidly away.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 04 - 09:06 AM

Well, and fine -- but why judge the thing at all, then? Structure is the silent skeleton, but the best structure does little to disguise or improve meretricious insight, over-dependance on clichés, or jejeune emotive content. In both these threads (this one and the earlier Poetry Corner) there has been plenty of all three, as well as havoc in form.

Tell ya what -- I submit that coaching those who wish it would be a fine service, done privately. Public judging of amateur productions is a form of reciprocal sadism.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Blackcatter
Date: 25 May 04 - 09:15 AM

I'm not saying you're wrong Amos - because to some extent I agree, but note that if we were to eliminate the public judging of poetry (and by extrapolation, song lyrics) a great deal of what happens above the line here would be gone.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 09:27 AM

Amos:

All true, BUT...

Poets, much like songwriters, singers, and other performers, seek out an audience. There is feedback, which can help to improve the performer, and raise his/her skill level. If nothing else, the performer, by hearing others, can see what CAN be done. By your standards, much of the music I hear, at open sings, workshops, and getaways would be done privately, with no audience. I, for one would not want that.

As for judging, I think I have expressed myself. I feel that CONSTRUCTIVE critism is worthwhile- my only concern is that some will use this forum to tear down without showing what might be built up.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 04 - 09:53 AM

Well, foine, boys, fill yourselves up and enjoy.

I have seen lots of quantity, and it doesn't goose me worth a shit 90% of the time. So I had best butt out. I have seen two poems on this site by Lonesome EJ that are a whole lap beyond any others that have been posted.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Amergin
Date: 25 May 04 - 09:56 AM

Come on, amos...we know that you're a closet McGonagall fan....

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 04 - 11:19 AM

Ah, that explains a great deal, Amergin. Amazing what a little artful slander can do to a communication line. So now I understand, given that I am a fan of such stuff as McGonagall dreams up I have to live out the karma, even though it is based on fiction, by perusing shlock? Dear Gawd, maybe its even true!! :>))

A

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 11:25 AM

No-one MAKES you read this stuff.... We are all here by our own choice.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 11:40 AM

Sonnet 22/04/01                                DXLI

Perhaps I ask that you give, not my verse.
But whispers, that my heart can turn, enfold
Within my mind, and place on page: A terse
Few words might feed my dreams and heart. As cold
As lonely nights, the silence in my dreams
Should have no place in Spring, but I can hear
No soft words to show vision. Though time seems
To pass, I live in Past, with no one near.
I do not ask that you give heart, but share
Some part of dreams, and desires: I might find
The visions that I seek. You need not care,
Though I might hope to know more of your mind.
I search for muse: Are you the one I seek?
Can I hope that your words will visions speak?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 04 - 11:41 AM

Oh, no bb...don't you see? It's a karmic force! How can I escape it? Maybe by writing shallow poems in fine form until I have burned off my karmic debt. Obviously I have spent lifetimes committing sins against shlock, and must repay the Great Wheel for the error of resisting the inevitable, ineluctyable, overwhelming average of illusions.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 11:43 AM

Ellenpoly:

here you are...

Sonnet 09/05/01                                DXLVIII

I read your words, and my dreams try to feel
The coolness of soft silk, and warmth of skin:
I would reach out, and with sweet kisses seal
My heart, that I might heart's desire win.
As soft, and subtle scented as a rose,
But without thorns, you pull me to your soul.
I touch, with lips and tongue, yet hope heart knows
How much these dreams can of my hopes take toll.
I reach to touch you, but words do not hold
The softness of your lips, nor feel of hair.
How can I taste skin, or let fingers fold
With yours, when only written words we share?
Would you, then, drive me crazy with desire
When distance and some years prevent love's fire?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 11:49 AM

Amos:

I will have to leave your karmic debt to you.



Sturgeon's Revelation: 90% of everything is crud.

This leaves 10%. BUT 90% of that 10% is crud.

This leaves 1%. BUT 90% of that 1% is crud.

ad infinitum...



But to quote from Firesign Theater: "Why, this is a bag of shit! " "But it's really GREAT shit."

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: GUEST,amergin
Date: 25 May 04 - 12:30 PM

LOL @ Amos!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 12:51 PM

Life is like a vintage wine in cask,
                Waiting to be opened, a pleasant task.
                And yet, if long has passed, it may have soured.
                "Life is like a cracker; step on it and it flours."

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 12:53 PM

A second cousin,
                 descended from the great:
                 So common,
                    jostled, jumbled
                 in a crowd of others.

                A glimpse of light,
                 and then
                    isolation in the dark
                    ( with others, but alone.).

                Again, a flash of light,
                    and someone else.
                 His despair deepens.

                At last,

                 separated from the rest
                 in a burst of flame,
                 silent, but for a hiss of burnt desires,

                                        he dies.



                Such joy in death.



                                        The life of a match.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 12:55 PM

TRANSLATION



                A fire, extinquished.
                        Only a pile of ashes remain,
                Where once a flame lived.

                You have, my friend, changed
                        that enormous pine
                                giver of summer-shade
                Into a mound of dust.

                It was so tall,
                        higher than roof or tower;
                If I could fold it up
                        it would not fit into the
                        garret chest nor elsewhere.

                You see what now remains of that:
                                        this dust.

                I am so small, so thin:
                What dust remains
                                after I die?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 04 - 12:57 PM

BB:

I will have to leave your karmic debt to you.



Well sure...but there's no sense pretending it is some magnaminious choice on your part!! :>))

A

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 01:04 PM

Sorry if it came out that way. I did not mean to imply that. I have my own karmic burden to live with: EACH of us need to deal with our own.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 04 - 01:38 PM

Ah...thanks...I didn't think you really meant to imply that, but there's a certain je-ne-sais-quoi that makes me want to tease ya. Sorry. I am glad to hear that each of us need to deal with our own karma. I was afraid there was a judging panel out there somewhere!! *bg*

A

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 01:47 PM

I am afraid of that, too...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: GUEST,Shlio
Date: 25 May 04 - 05:03 PM

Dreamin'

I dreamed a castle in the sky
With stained-glass windows and turrets high.
Where rooms were all silver, and furniture gold,
Filled with laughter from jesters and stories of old.

Then I learned flesh is frail and all must die,
That laughter is hard and too many cry,
That gold must be toiled for but is often too little,
And those who dreamt castles hide in homes and grow bitter.

I still dream a castle in the sky
With gaping windows and broken turrets high.
Where rooms are bare and echo the tunes
From a lonely soul among the ruins.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 May 04 - 05:07 PM

I am going to go home now, and let someone else have post 100.... I could fill to it with sonnets, but I will take pity on you all.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: Blackcatter
Date: 25 May 04 - 08:48 PM

I'll take the assist.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat's Best Poet Contest
From: beardedbruce
Date: 26 May 04 - 10:14 AM

Well, if no-one else will...