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Confused.

Blog Posted:4/6/2024 11:04:00 PM

I am confused..This is the first time I have ever questioned a judge's results. I know every jusge has didfferent preferences. BUT I thought when a specific form was requested it should be adheared to . This is the second time over two contests that I have seen top placements awarded to entries that were nothing ike the form of poetry required. Minichu is the form is question, and I thought the second line of each of the first 3 stanzas had to rhyme.

Senses - sin- - spouse <------ dont come close to rhyming. Awarded third place.

Other examples of near rhyming or incorrect syllable counts were awarded places over the last 2 contests of the same judge. - I soup mailed the Judge last time it happened, pointing out the errors, but went no further. If we dont have to be precise with poetry forms , whats the use of entering? I know judges decisions are final, I also know I will not even bother writing a precise minichu next time, as near or not so near entries can win., and it seems will continue to win.

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Diane
Christian

Date: 4/15/2024 10:45:00 AM

I get what you saying, I haven't wrote for a long time here t recently started a couple of new ones. I entered the let's tango contest Granted my poem was quite simply written. I knew I wouldn't win but I did notice that some poems that got placed had nothing to do with doing the tango It was any form. IV not t written any minichu poems. It's all new to me

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/15/2024 11:25:00 AM

Seams this "new to Soup" form of poetry has become popular Dianne. Its the old addage of "each to his own". I am old world and like poetry to have a meaning, and certainly stick to a topic. I have tried writing in this style of pretty phrases and wafting imagery, but get no satisfaction from it. Its here to stay as it seems most people appreciate it. Unless you adopt this style, many contests wont be winnable it seems. I guess it depends if you are entering contests to win, or for your own rewards. Main thing is, have fun.

Suzette
Richards

Date: 4/12/2024 6:27:00 AM

Wen, do no longer stress about this. Congratulations on your POD, Whispers. It is a lovely poem and your survivor spirit shines through. Have a nice weekend :)

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/12/2024 6:53:00 AM

Thanks Suzette. Not stressed Many more things in my dull old life to be stressed about if I wanted to. I enjoy writing. Apart from family and friends it is my one joy. I learn and feel with time I may improve, but for now its fun. Thank you for your sweet comment.

I Am
Anaya

Date: 4/10/2024 3:35:00 PM

Oh Wendy, I noticed that too! I followed the rules to a tee and thought well, he just doesn't like me. LOL. I loved my Spouse Minuchi it's fresh! But um I do understand that friendships will come first, that's the way the world wurks! Nyuk! And that can be very unfortunate for the serious contest poets & entries.It's a shame and shame on them.Plz e-mail me, I'm worried about you ,(

I Am Anaya
Date: 4/12/2024 12:01:00 PM

My point was that ever so clearly he did not follow his own rules, his 'own creation' and form of poetry that I happen to be fond of and support. It's transparent that he had chosen friendship over rules of the entry. Glad you are well!

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/11/2024 7:04:00 PM

Never be worried about me sweet one. This tough old goat is fine. I have never sponsored a contest for fear of inadvertently favoring a friend, and I admire those that take their time to sponsor. My simple point is if a sponsor demands that a certain form off poetry be used, That sponsor has an obligation in my opinion to only place the contestants who submit an entry true to the form chosen. No exceptions.

Frederic
Parker

Date: 4/9/2024 10:09:00 AM

whenever I enter a contest with a judge I don't know from previous contests I go to their page and see if the form they ask for is one they have used. You would be surprised that some judges ask for forms they have never written a poem in...so I don't enter...

Speaks Volumes
Date: 5/15/2024 4:53:00 AM

That is a wise Move Frederic. I will adopt that practice. Thank you for your advice, I was advised that the sponsor in this case is likely the creator of the Minichu, which is alarming that he doesn't follow the rules he, himself set to write a poem in this form. It just makes me more confused.

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/12/2024 6:57:00 AM

Dear Constance, what you have said here is EXACTLY my point. I enjoy Minishu and may still write them but it wont be for his contest.

Tom Woody
Date: 4/10/2024 3:18:00 PM

Some judges can barely spell (shhhh)

Constance La France
Date: 4/10/2024 2:24:00 PM

Speaks, I do recall hearing this is his created form once upon a time when I entered, wrote it correctly and did not place, while others who wrote it wrong did place ?????

Suzette
Richards

Date: 4/7/2024 11:38:00 PM

The 'rhyming' of the words mentioned, is also a mystery to me, Wen. It would be nice if the particular sponsor would reply to the rationale behind it here in the comments. I presume that William is referring below to one of my recent blogs: Having Fun with Rhymes

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/11/2024 1:10:00 PM

This has happened numerous times with that contest, so I have stopped entering since I am doing them right, and wrong ones are being given the wins sometimes.

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/8/2024 6:31:00 PM

It's a miss for me too !

Suzette Richards
Date: 4/8/2024 4:06:00 AM

A quick internet search for "Minichu" only resulted in an "OnlyFans" site ... Lol. I think that I will give that "poetic form" challenge a miss.

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/8/2024 1:14:00 AM

I truly think the sponsor has not grasped the complicated format of Minichu. If this is the case, he should not be holding Contests using this exacting poetry form as a basis of his contests. This sponsor uses near rhymes to write his own Minichu Poems and the first I looked at he rhymed 'freedom- bosom- bottom. I am in no way trying to attack this sponsor. I make more mistakes in my poetry than most, but to hold a contest, I think one should have good knowledge of the form they require poets to use.

Tom
Woody

Date: 4/7/2024 4:52:00 PM

More evidence that peer sponsored contests are meaningless. Yes, I include my own. It's silly to fret or whine about a placement (or non-placement). Over the years I've seen these kind of laments along with blogs from sponsors that amount to hissies because someone misspelled a word or didn't follow the rules. Solution? Eliminate peer sponsored contests altogether, especially those that are not premier (gee mom, I tied for #1 in a poetry contest with nine others!). Change contests to challenges or prompts, eliminate judging altogether. I know this will fall on deaf ears but I can say I tried. Again

Speaks Volumes
Date: 5/15/2024 4:58:00 AM

No Tom, you are missing my point. I am NOT whining about a placement. I actually placed in both the contests in question. Its nothing to do with placements. My point is a judge (any judge) that chooses a certain form of poetry to be used in entries to his/her contest, should know the form well enough to see when it is being portrayed correctly. They should award places to ONLY those entries that abide by the rules of THAT FORM OF POETRY. Its that simple. I hold a contest and state that is must be free verse, and six entries rhyme every line, it would be quite unfair to all the true free verse entries, if I awarded every one of the six rhyming poems a first place. If you wouldn't mind that and feel its fair, that's your prerogative, but I don't think its fair.

I Am Anaya
Date: 4/13/2024 3:23:00 PM

First thing one thinks, we are whining about a placement, shallow! It's happened to me too, Wen.

I Am Anaya
Date: 4/12/2024 12:15:00 PM

like you SV I know I would be devastated if they RID of SPONSORS and CONTESTS, this (TOM'S) was not thought out for all of us who use the poetry contests for many reasons, 1) most important one is that "It Brings Us Together"!TOM! ;0 I happen to be very fond of the Minuchi form, its just a shame the creator of it has changed it to almost rhymes. I don't want the Minuchi contest to end...IT CAN BE WORKED OUT! ;D

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/7/2024 8:07:00 PM

I hope they NEVER get rid of peer sponsored contests. I love them. I take my hat off to the fine poets that give up their time to hold contests. They give me inspiration to write that I would not have otherwise. Apart from the comradery, the contests are what makes Soup stand apart from other groups.

Sara
Etgen-Baker

Date: 4/7/2024 2:05:00 PM

that's troubling news. Sorry to hear. :-(

Constance
La France

Date: 4/7/2024 8:48:00 AM

Speaks, I understand your frustration completely, it is unfair and just not right. I have stopped entering this sponsors contests because you are right what is the point, hugs

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/7/2024 9:33:00 AM

Thanks Constance. I am glad that I am not the only one that feels this way. My Soup Mail to the sponsor after the contest before this last one, was obviously ignored, that's why I decided to make my concerns public.

Hilo
Poet

Date: 4/7/2024 8:40:00 AM

Hi, SV, as a sponsor, I judge entries conceptually, more linear less personal. Easy to choose structure, and symmetry as far as rhyming, Suze hinted at rhyming sound effectiveness. NOW, personal is bad juju, it's easy to say GOOD vs GAUDY, but, GOOD vs GOOD--NOPE! It is my GOOD vs your GOOD. I was to add a bit on cross climbers, but just say that I don't go the personal route. I note a bit, and I'll stop entering.

Hilo Poet
Date: 4/9/2024 7:06:00 PM

The reason for my ressurection--In my recent writes I wrote-off Bro. Pete from walking on Galilee & be in midst of Fort Sumter, SC -- days of civility

Tom Woody
Date: 4/9/2024 6:10:00 PM

Minnie who?

Hilo Poet
Date: 4/7/2024 9:50:00 AM

I too stopped Minichu as bias seems to trend

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/7/2024 9:43:00 AM

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog. Its nice to know that I am not alone in feeling this way.

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/7/2024 9:41:00 AM

Yes HP I realize it occurred in both of the last two contests, but this entrant is not the only winner that has failed to meet the constraints of Minichu. Both contests have winners that have incorrect syllable counts and non rhyming words in the appropriate positions within their poems. I don't just speak for myself, but for all the poets that carefully constructed their Minichu entries correctly and were less successful than some that did not meet the criteria for Minichu.

Hilo Poet
Date: 4/7/2024 9:19:00 AM

Btw, the one you've referred to placed twice in two recent contests of his, and both times, all three mid-words kissed floor, wall, and ceiling and naught each other to rhyme--highly suspicious--or it's the words being poetically elegant??

My Past Blog Posts


Confused. Date Posted: 4/6/2024 11:04:00 PM
Does any one Know if Sotto Poet is away on holidays ? Date Posted: 3/25/2024 6:21:00 AM
Any one know why my friend Thriveni left soup? Date Posted: 3/4/2024 7:58:00 PM

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Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
5/17/2024	War Pigs - Glenn Hughes	Rhyme	war,
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5/16/2024	If only you knew	Rhyme	angel,
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5/11/2024	Summer Flowers	Quatrain	flower,garden,
5/10/2024	Is there any romance in a Square Dance	Lyric	dance,
5/10/2024	Curtains	Verse	fantasy,woman,
5/9/2024	Dauntless	Couplet	woman,
5/8/2024	When Silence Speaks	Rhyme	silence,
5/7/2024	Palandrome Finished Soon	Limerick	dad,
5/4/2024	General George S Patton	Clerihew	military,
5/1/2024	SLY	Other	music,
5/1/2024	Divine Magnetism	Shape	spiritual,
5/1/2024	106 Walt Disney	Clerihew	dream,world,
4/29/2024	LOVE	Sonnet	love,
4/28/2024	Captive	Rhyme	mother,
4/28/2024	Feelings - A Love Story	Couplet	feelings,love,
4/27/2024	When dawn drifts into enchanted meadows	Rhyme	sun,
4/27/2024	Mountebank	Rhyme	corruption,
4/26/2024	Surreality	Quatrain	dream,
4/26/2024	1304 Female Head La Scapigliata C1508 - Leonardo Da Vinci Painting	Ekphrasis	mystery,
4/24/2024	My Hobby is designing Coffee Table Photo Books	Rhyme	books,
4/23/2024	The Mirror's Reflection	Sonnet	mirror,
4/22/2024	My Twilight Dream Catcher	Rhyme	dream,
4/21/2024	Monica DeVil	Lyric	song,
4/21/2024	Jessica Rabbit	Lyric	song,
4/20/2024	Zephyr	Rhyme	fantasy,nursery rhyme,
4/19/2024	To which image should we cling	Quatrain	birth,
4/18/2024	LIFE	Acrostic	children,
4/18/2024	The Halusinating Toreador by Salvador Dali - 1970 Contest 1302	Ekphrasis	art,
4/17/2024	Ephemera	Couplet	granddaughter,
4/16/2024	After the Floods	Rhyme	faith,
4/16/2024	Yet	Rhyme	love,
4/16/2024	That Was Then - This Is Now	Rhyme	freedom,prison,
4/16/2024	A Time To Reflect	Rhyme	dream,
4/15/2024	Psychological Warfare	Imagism	war,
4/15/2024	Destiny - Glenn Hughes	Lyric	destiny,
4/14/2024	House by The Railroad, 1925 by Edward Hopper 1301	Ekphrasis	horror,
4/12/2024	The Reluctant Bride - Andaree	Rhyme	wedding,
4/11/2024	Confidence 1309	Acrostic	baseball,
4/10/2024	Whisper	Couplet	love,
4/9/2024	Boreas by John William Waterhouse 1902 Oil on Canvas	Ekphrasis	wind,
4/9/2024	We'll meet again	Rhyme	heaven,
4/8/2024	I Saw God But Now What	Rhyme	religious,
4/5/2024	The Odd SOCK	Couplet	mother,
4/5/2024	Picture Prompt - Two for tea	Limerick	drink,
4/5/2024	Reverse Graffiti	Other	moon,
4/3/2024	ODE TO POETRY	Ode	poetry,
4/3/2024	Office at Night - 1940 - by Edward Hopper - 1298	Ekphrasis	night,sensual,
4/3/2024	Spring	Sonnet	spring,
4/2/2024	Blame	Quatrain	dark,emotions,
4/2/2024	The Vagabond 1305	Rhyme	appreciation,travel,
3/27/2024	Maestro	Rhyme	music,
3/27/2024	The Twilight Zone	Narrative	granddaughter,grave,priso
3/23/2024	Cat Cage - Picture Prompt	Limerick	bird,cat,
3/22/2024	Rain	Personification	rain,rainbow,
3/22/2024	The Liar	Lyric	evil,lost love,love hurts
3/22/2024	Search That Bus	Rhyme	children,
3/21/2024	A Hunger Unfed	Couplet	spiritual,
3/21/2024	Feeling Worthless	Rhyme	sad,
3/20/2024	Legend	Narrative	courage,
3/19/2024	Interview With The Wind	Narrative	wind,
3/19/2024	Bite Sized Number 83	Rhyme	flower,
3/18/2024	Uplifting	Rhyme	health,
3/17/2024	Woven Worlds	Other	moon,
3/14/2024	Lets Tango	Quatrain	dance,
3/13/2024	Rispetto-Old Style	Rispetto	devotion,
3/12/2024	Respect For My Lady	Rispetto	art,
3/12/2024	I Wish I had	Free verse	family,
3/12/2024	Hanging Lanterns	Shape	light,
3/11/2024	Coagulation Starter	Rhyme	scary,
3/11/2024	Woven Worlds - Long version	Prose	moon,
3/11/2024	Possessed	Rhyme	addiction,
3/10/2024	Happiness	List	happiness,
3/9/2024	Black and White	Rhyme	games,
3/9/2024	Title 4 Angelic	Rhyme	angel,evil,
3/8/2024	May Your Easter Be a Blessed Time	Shape	easter,
3/8/2024	Threadbare	Rhyme	wedding,
3/8/2024	Mixed Beauty	Rhyme	heart,
3/8/2024	Poppy	Personification	flower,
3/7/2024	Time	Rhyme	time,
3/7/2024	The Birth of a Spring Poem 1925	Rhyme	spring,
3/7/2024	Spring Sonata	Free verse	spring,
3/4/2024	World Without War	Alliteration	war,
3/3/2024	Never Smile at a Crocodile	Senryu	river,
3/3/2024	Mum	Rhyme	mother,
3/2/2024	Minichu - My Spouse	Rhyme	husband,
3/2/2024	Surrender to the Night Sky - Collaboration	Couplet	world,
2/29/2024	Guess Who 3	Rhyme	music,
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2/28/2024	If there was just one thing I could change	Narrative	world,
2/27/2024	Soft	Rhyme	birth,child,
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PoemTitle	Form	Categories
My Muse and Me	Pantoum	muse,
Halloween's Mask of Comfort	Rhyme	desire,halloween,
Being Rich Is So Much a Bore	Rhyme	humorous,
Peace of Heart - Potd	Free verse	appreciation,love,peace,
The Silent Saint	Monoku	work,
Faith and Prayer	Rhyme	appreciation,growth,
The Nearly Men	Rhyme	atheist,feelings,humanity
Candid Camera	Rhyme	christmas,fun,
Identity Crisis	Rhyme	confusion,dream,lost,myst
In a Dream	Free verse	dance,desire,dream,happin
Master of Science	Rhyme	celebration,happy,life,pe
The Charlie Norton School Performing Arts	Rhyme	art,career,education,ment
Creation	Free verse	creation,drink,freedom,po
Ode To My Wellie Boots	Rhyme	memory,nostalgia,remember
Last Night	Free verse	inspirational love,love,m
Unarmed	Free verse	anti bullying,anxiety,
By the Lake	Rhyme	love,
Lessons	Tristich	beauty,goodbye,memory,pai
A Yorkshire Tale	Rhyme	imagination,passion,roman
Gratitude	Rhyme	graduate,poetry,voyage,
A Beating Heart	Free verse	fate,feelings,first love,
My Many Muses	Free verse	growth,inspirational,love
The Eastern Gate Part I	Rhyme	break up,leaving,lost lov
Alienation	Rhyme	christmas,class,humanity,
I Can Feel Your Love	Rondeau Redouble	beautiful,emotions,feelin
I Remember Years Ago Potd	Free verse	memory,
Absent Friends Salute	Rhyme	dedication,friendship,mil
Protector	Terzanelle	devotion,
And the Dog Laughed Too	Rhyme	dog,friendship,humor,
Isolation	Rhyme	age,birthday,depression,e
Love In the Making	Free verse	love,
No Angels In Foxholes	Rhyme	dream,memorial,military,s
In Gratitude	Rhyme	anger,appreciation,betray
Fauna of New Yawk	Rhyme	animal,new york,
Spring Is Never Far Off	Free verse	love,seasons,
Begging To Be Someones Family	Free verse	absence,addiction,betraya
Headline News Today	Rhyme	how i feel,
Whisperings of My Soul	Rhyme	freedom,inspiration,intro
Whispered Melodies - First Place Contest Winner	Rhyme	appreciation,beauty,cheer
In a Silent Way	Free verse	addiction,imagery,
Mama I Love You To No End	Free verse	devotion,love,mother daug
My Mother's Book	Rhyme	mother,
Mission Statement	Rhyme	philosophy,
Earthliness	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,beau
Imagine	Rhyme	fantasy,imagination,space
Losing Touch	Free verse	11th grade,angst,body,can
These Are My Thoughts On Branches Affected By Winds	Free verse	tree,
Rain - Raging	Verse	environment,feelings,lost
His Name Is Jesus	Rhyme	bible,christian,faith,jes
The Captive Quill	Rhyme	addiction,analogy,appreci
Let Me Hold You	Rhyme	cheer up,courage,love,
By Throckrington Moor	Rhyme	beauty,earth,environment,
Quiet My Dreams	Quatrain	lost love,
Tomorrow Will Take Care of Itself	Rhyme	day,
Radiant Fall	Rhyme	autumn,color,flying,seaso
Autumn Splendor	Rhyme	autumn,color,tree,
Political Speak	Free verse	inspirational,meaningful,
The Pebble	Free verse	extended metaphor,inspira
Dreams Minichu	Rhyme	dream,
What Do I Think of Love	Rhyme	love,
Expired Embers	Haiku	age,analogy,appreciation,
Freedom of Poetry	Free verse	addiction,blessing,freedo
Sneaky Snakes	Quatrain	animal,farm,friendship,
Evolution	Rhyme	humor,perspective,
Baby Steps	Free verse	change,christian,confiden
Sunset	Rhyme	beauty,dream,environment,
Snow White	Limerick	fruit,funny,humorous,kiss
Fantastic Journey	Rhyme	adventure,fantasy,journey
Drowned In Liquid Fire	Rhyme	analogy,angst,fear,fire,
Whispers In the Shadows	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,beau
Your Red Balloon	I do not know?	dedication,i miss you,
Serenity Awakened	Haiku	analogy,appreciation,peac
A Directive To Be	Rhyme	endurance,god,loss,missin
Womans Desire	Free verse	feelings,gender,love,rela
Sunset	Blank verse	death,
Nature's Worst	Haiku	nature,
- Portal -	Sijo	beauty,death,deep,journey
Ocean	Other	passion,
Pause My Poetry	Free verse	angst,poetry,society,
Thoughts On Why I Considered a Peeled Orange Painted 206 Years Ago	Dramatic Monologue	anxiety,
The Windmills of Babel	Free verse	bird,change,environment,f
Christmas, 2022	Free verse	christian,christmas,faith
The Stanzas By the Sea	Rhyme	beach,england,holiday,mem
Lucidity	Sonnet	meaningful,poetry,words,w
Why Can'T We All Just Get Along	Rhyme	life,
Walter	Blank verse	death,
Making the Grade	Limerick	humor,
Ins and Outs	Monorhyme	life,
The Day We Met	Couplet	love,
I Believe	Rhyme	angel,appreciation,future
Update	Limerick	religion,
Sorry	Free verse	wisdom,
Odd Cultural Topics	Rhyme	allusion,analogy,change,c
Reformation	Rhyme	anger,political,society,
Our time is now	Kyrielle	spiritual,
In a Vampish Way	Roundel	environment,god,moon,nigh
I Am At Peace	Free verse	love,peace,
Let Truth Through	Rhyme	freedom,inspiration,intro
Nemesis-POTD	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,crea
Nonstick Coating	Rhyme	betrayal,corruption,polit

Fav Poets

Poet	Country
Rico Leffanta	United States	Read
Linda Alice Fowler	United States	Read
Terry Ireland	United Kingdom	Read
I Am Anaya	United States	Read
Terry Miller	United Kingdom	Read
Di11y Da11y	United Kingdom	Read
Jay Narain	United States	Read
Leo Larry Amadore	United States	Read
Susan Ashley	United States	Read
Christina Bowring	United Kingdom	Read
Edward Ibeh	United States	Read
Merv Hold	Australia	Read
Tom Woody	United States	Read
Anne-Lise Andresen	Norway	Read
Lee Norton	United Kingdom	Read
Craig Cornish	United States	Read
Scottie Jackson	United States	Read