The New AW Poetry Contest: Odes to Poets

poetinahat · Apr 29, 2007

Time for another contest, everyone. This one's a bit of a twist:

Odes to Poets

The goal is to express appreciation or reaction to another poet's work or influence.

Entries may be in any style. They must discuss, or be addressed to, another poet (classical, renowned, AW, whomever).

Entries must also be accompanied by a link to one poem written by that poet. [ETA: The linked poem should be an example of what it is you're saying about the poet.]

Poets may enter up to two poems, each of which must address a different poet.

Poems must contain fewer than one hundred lines and one thousand words.

To enter, please submit each poem and link, together, to me via Private Message.

The entry deadline is Sunday, May 13, at 10:00PM US Eastern Time.

Winners will be decided by vote among AW members, with member voting or a first, second and third place poem (3/2/1 points).

FIRST PRIZE: Voice of the Poet: Robert Frost -- a CD of Frost reading his own works, with accompanying text of poems, and editorial notes.

I hope you'll enjoy this contest -- I look forward to it!

Stew21 · Apr 30, 2007

Looks like a tough one, but fun!

poetinahat · Apr 30, 2007

Thanks for commenting, Trish -- I was wondering how this one would fly.

If people find this contest uninspiring, I'm happy to replace it. We've done a few contests celebrating holidays -- I thought it would be interesting to do something different.

I also thought about a Sonnet Contest.

Other comments?

dclary · Apr 30, 2007

How about a sonnet to a poet?

i found myself in want of something true
about the world I saw before my eyes
the angle of a bird across the skies
the colors of the sky in reds and blues
a simple poet who could write for you
of roads and walls and fields with great surprise
so humble is he now and yet so wise
perhaps you've read his work a time or two?
of course I speak of mister robert frost
a poet I have learned to love in time
he wrote of simple times now gone long whence
and though I think the age is too far lost
I savor his great works as though sublime
oh yes, "and that has made the difference."

iambic pentameter, italian rhyme scheme biyotches!

poetinahat · Apr 30, 2007

I'm floored -- that's brilliant. You going to enter this, Dave?

Who else will join in?

dclary · Apr 30, 2007

No, I have a better poem for a poet who truly inspired me. Frost I love, but this other... surprised me with depth and wit I did not expect in poetry, and forced me to expect depth and wit in my own.

Well, I don't know about better. I guess the voters will be the judge of that.

ddgryphon · Apr 30, 2007

This is brilliant--but only two weeks to summarize a poet--wow--tough stuff.

I'm probably in, if I can manage something.

poetinahat · Apr 30, 2007

I didn't envision that you'd need to summarise a poet's entire oeuvre - or that you'd need to go read an anthology first.

You could do that, but you could also just respond to one poem and address the poet about it.

Would a deadline extension help, or should I just hand the prize to Dave now and start another contest? It's supposed to be fun, not work -- and a chance to reflect on other poets.

dclary · Apr 30, 2007

LOL! I vote for this solution!

louisgodwin · Apr 30, 2007

An intriguing idea, Rob. I'll see what I can come up with.

poetinahat · Apr 30, 2007

Hint: this contest might be a good match for certain discussions that our Poet Laureate is running. *ahem*

Heck, you could even write an ode to your own work! And remember, the poem doesn't have to be positive:

I set out to read a collection
Of poems by Rodney McKuen;
I decided, through much introspection,
The man has no clue what he's doin'.

Thank you, thank you.

Pat~ · May 1, 2007

Hey, I like this idea. I just had my first inspiration in months...hope I can pull it off.

peg · May 1, 2007

OWED TO A POET

Nothing.
It's
free
verse.

peg

ddgryphon · May 1, 2007

Does this one count?

little matters
about

the lone wheel
barrow

grown over with
weeds

beside the split
coop.

or this

or this

Or any other poem by anyone on the Laundry Day at the Chicken Farm Thread

A. Hamilton · May 1, 2007

ddgryphon said:
Does this one count?

Or any other poem by anyone on the Laundry Day at the Chicken Farm Thread

now there's some good memories. that thread was so much fun.
This contest is a nice challenge. But there's no way I can think about a contest with the poetry book deadline looming and me still picking at my work.
Nope.
(not like I've ever rushed to enter the contests anyway LOL)
carry on.

poetinahat · May 1, 2007

Would it help to move this deadline until AFTER the book submission deadline? Say, three weeks after, to early June?

*sigh* How desperate am I to get people to enter this contest?

Dave and Pat, you get prizes anyway, for not looking a flippin' gift horse in the mouth.

Norman D Gutter · May 2, 2007

I'm in with at least one. PM coming.

NDG

dclary · May 2, 2007

The poem I have in mind I won't have time to write until next week, but I'll be in before the deadline.

Thanks, Poet. I really did try on that, lol. It even breaks at the 8/6 with the initial question and reply that a sonnet is supposed to have.

KTC · May 2, 2007

I like this idea. I have a poet in mind and will make something up in the morning...which is when I usually write poetry. Thanks for putting on another great motivational project, Poet.

A. Hamilton · May 2, 2007

poetinahat said:
Would it help to move this deadline until AFTER the book submission deadline? Say, three weeks after, to early June?

helps me, but i'm not the most dependable at entering contests. do whatever works for the contest.

Annie O · May 3, 2007

Has the deadline been changed? Just found this thread today.

Stew21 · May 3, 2007

I'm at a loss on this one, but I'll come up with something by the deadline (whatever it may be).
I'm excited to see what comes out of this!

poetinahat · May 7, 2007

PRIZE UPDATE

One week to go! We have two sterling entries so far.

Will a prize help motivate you? How about...

Voice of the Poet: Robert Frost -- a CD of Frost reading his own works, with accompanying text of poems, and editorial notes.

Now, tell me true: will another week get you into this contest, or will you be ready by the 13th?

poetinahat · May 7, 2007

bump...

I'll change the deadline if it will help. But please - speak up.

A. Hamilton · May 7, 2007

great prize!

The New AW Poetry Contest: Odes to Poets

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