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Contest Consternation

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I join the odd contest now and again...but some ONLY write for contests. That's their prerogative, but....don't you just want to write what is in your heart at times without any constraints? Something to think about...

Do you ever write….just to write Just to let your heart explode Into a kaleidoscope of word colors Embellishing the page of someone's life? Does everything have to be a contest? Guided by a theme You forget the dream Of your own magnificent thoughts? Do you ever write…just to write To release that fantasy That prowls around in that gilded cage Not sage Not tamed But that wildness that you keep hidden inside oh so unbridled savage!! Let it go free unleash it for me Write! Write and break the bars of norms and forms Of expected rules and lines Rhymes and syllable straight jacket crimes Oh…do you ever write to let that madness free? Do you ever write…just so you can breathe To let go of pain so deep the scream that tears across the page Primal rage At all who did you wrong Killed and butchered your song Eating you alive Demon cries clothed in sheep words by others Not you Let it be heard That rebel yell From internal hell "cleanse me!" Let your tears drop on the page spent of rage Knowing I will feel empathy symphony of kindred souls Write For YOU Write For ME Write For what will be No contest consternation Just… an disrobing of "spirit's clad in veils" a naked camaraderie we are both the same What a shame To twist and turn And dress to please Someone whose taste may be stale Who knows not how to tease PLEASE Just Write For you Write For me And that contest for NOW Just LET IT BE! I want to see Your naked soul! Eileen Manassian The quotation is from Christopher Cranch's poem, Gnosis...I will share an excerpt of this amazing poem... Gnosis THOUGHT is deeper than all speech, Feeling deeper than all thought: Souls to souls never can teach What unto themselves was taught. We are spirits clad in veils; Man by man was never seen; All our deep communing fails To remove the shadowy screen. Heart to heart was never known; Mind with mind did never meet; We are columns left alone Of a temple once complete. Like the stars that gem the sky, Far apart though seeming near, In our light we scattered lie; All is thus but starlight here. Christopher Cranch So...let's disrobe and undress...without rules...Let's confess. Let our light shine...not scattered but whole...body and soul.

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Paul Callus

Date: 3/10/2021 5:48:00 AM

This is an excellent poem, Eileen, even more so because it came from the heart, and no restrictions involved....not that you are not capable of following rules...you are one of the very best when it comes to rhythm, meter and rhyme. ~ Hugs // paul

Robert Lindley

Date: 8/15/2014 10:51:00 PM

You just did and it was magnificent poetry born from heart, spirit and soul!!! That can not ever be faked my friend!! Never!!! I felt the great energy and power as I read it. Adding this tremendous write into my fav list. Thanks for it!!!! Crackin'........

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/15/2014 10:52:00 PM

Robert! :) Thanks ever so much for this lovely visit and post. You bring smiles to leave at my door, my friend. I so appreciate it. Bless you!

Justin Bordner

Date: 8/14/2014 1:57:00 AM

Preaching poetry from a spontaneous heart, proding my savage language with healing dart... Your eloquent entreaty is true Eileen..." Knowing I will feel empathy sympathy of kindred souls..." I love this plea for pure pleasure. J.A.B.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/14/2014 8:17:00 AM

Thank you, Justin. You always gift me with smiles from the heart. Thank you so much for being so sweet. :) Glad you liked this piece. Spontaneous...Yes, that's me! Savagery has its place in the game of life.

Jslambert Mister Roboto

Date: 8/14/2014 1:53:00 AM

Sadly, this is exactly what I cannot escape! Kaleidoscope words painting the brain, all day, every day, IT IS A CURSE, I cannot shake! To be able to sit down and write for a contest or some form anymore would be nice. I just can't do it. This is a nice perspective, and a good write of encouragement. Once I heard old Hank Bukowski say: "when Form appears, the spirit wanes"--I took it waaay too deliberate and literally! This write incites thought and conversation, which is great!

Jslambert Mister Roboto
Date: 8/14/2014 2:33:00 PM

hard to understand is right!:) Keep the Doses Going!~

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/14/2014 8:18:00 AM

It can be a curse, JS. Yes....I must admit that I need my daily dose of writing and reading....I can't get enough. That is a wonderful quote. I must admit...I do LOVE writing sonnets and other rhyming poetry. I DO join some contests but writing ONLY for contests...I find hard to understand. Thanks for the visit.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/14/2014 12:35:00 AM

oh sweetie. I wrote so much in my early days, I plumb wrote myself out of stuff to say. Then I got caught up in challenges and finally I had a new door open to me, things to write about. There are so many, if you choose them rightly, they help you tap what is inside you and come up with things you did not even know was inside you. I guess for me it just makes no difference if I write what comes naturally or from a contest. If the challenge is inspiring, it will do for me!!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/14/2014 8:19:00 AM

Yes, my dear...to each his own. :) I'm not saying anyone should shy away from contests...HA! As if anyone would listen to me anyway....Just, sometimes...speak from your heart...That's all. I'm glad it works for you...It obviously does because you write so well. Hugs

Tim Ryerson

Date: 8/13/2014 7:38:00 PM

This reminds me so much of the Stephan Crane poem: 'Many red devils ran from my heart--- And out upon the page--- They were so tiny--- The pen could mash them--- And many struggled in the ink--- It was strange--- To write in this red muck--- Of things from my heart.'..... Well done my friend! - Tim

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/14/2014 8:21:00 AM

My friend, Tim! Thanks for the visit. Good to see you. You've been gone from my page for a long time. Love what you shared with me....Absolutely amazing...There is lots of muck in this heart of mine that bleeds onto my writes. Thanks for the visit.

Casarah Nance

Date: 8/13/2014 4:22:00 PM

Well said, let passion overtake and fill the pages!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/13/2014 4:26:00 PM

Thanks, Cas. I'll join the occasional contest...they have their place, for sure. They can be fun, but to ONLY write for contests...leaves some of the soul unexplored...and that's fine for some. Thanks for the visit.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/13/2014 3:36:00 PM

I think it is possible to do both, sometimes I start writing for a contest and decide to hell with the rules, the art is more important than the contest. Sometimes a topic resonates and everything comes together and the rules don't feel like a constraint but rather cuase me to be more articulate. Some of my favorite poems have been birthed out of contests.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/13/2014 4:29:00 PM

You are an amazing poet. To be honest, I think I love those writes where you just wanted to say something that happened...Like...Warrior Princess...that wasn't for a contest...and I loved it. One of my absolute favorites. Was the one you wrote about your five top favorites here...(Eileen the emotionator) was that for a contest? See what I mean...Anyway, to each his own...We do what we do. Who am I to question a muse. The Colorblind Poet was not for any contest...but I'm sure it means something to you.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/13/2014 3:36:00 PM

By the way, I am adding this to my favorites!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/13/2014 4:26:00 PM

:) Thank you for that, Richard.

John Lawless

Date: 8/13/2014 11:49:00 AM

Eileen, Love the thoughts expressed here and also the passion. I conduct a small poetry workshop entitled: "Don't fight it - Write it." The forms, prompts, and themes, are just the pin prick that allows the air escaping the balloon to shriek.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/13/2014 4:30:00 PM

WOW! I'd love to join your workshop. Poetry is my passion and my obsession in life. It is in my veins and nothing gives me more joy than when one of my writes is accepted and lauded. Nothing makes me more sad than when I realize mediocrity will be my curse as a writer! :( To have the passion...and not see it bloom is a thorn in my side. Thanks for the lovely comment. So appreciated.

Tim Smith

Date: 8/13/2014 11:06:00 AM

Oh wonderful Eileen....yes disrobe and let go of your inhibitions and just write....I have done a few but not enough....hugs Tim

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/13/2014 4:25:00 PM

Hi, Tim. I'm NOT against contests. I've joined some myself. Some push me to try new things, but....I look for a poet's work to find out the workings of his mind and heart...and writing for a contest at times is contrived. What do I know? You don't get as many reviews when you aren't "known" in the contest rounds. Oh well...When you write from the heart...that's the price you pay. I've disrobed pretty well thus far, don't you think? ;)