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I Hate Contests

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The title of this poem was taken from the theme for a contest on another site. Contest hosts playing favorites is an issue that many of you here in PS have stuck in your craw...whether you admit it or not. Below is my entry, which I didn't write with the hope of winning. The rule was to write 8 - 12 lines of something bright and lively. This hardly meets that qualification, but nonetheless... Another poem that did not place That sponsor is such a disgrace awarding the win to a friend It's difficult to comprehend Why, that's not a contest at all not worth entering with my scrawl I come not to bury the host Nor raise a glass in honored toast I've written what was in my craw I'll use pen and paper to draw unless I know all will be fair I'll post my poetry elsewhere

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Kevin Shaw

Date: 8/24/2018 3:31:00 PM

Thank you for posting your poem Lin. Well written and to the point. I joined last year in May and very quickly realised there are a few cliques who dominate contests both as sponsors and entrants. I must admit to hosting and entering quite a few myself and initially enjoyed the kudos. I think contests should be challenging and not left open for Soupers to enter old recycled poems. One particular sponsor runs several contest a week, how can this be truly considered and subjective, regards Kevinxx

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 7/30/2018 5:07:00 AM

It is a shame that certain members behave this way. Your words ring true for some sponsors. Once I realize who does this I don't enter their contests anymore. Your poem is an eye opener for the newbees, others are all too aware. Thank you Lin. This poem is well written! : )

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 7/26/2018 12:21:00 PM

Bam! Hit 'em w/the TKO truth right cross, LL. 'Nuff said. Love and smiles, lady.

Anisha Dutta

Date: 7/22/2018 9:11:00 PM

Some Sponsors are fair, some are not. I hold same opinions as you. Let's see the list of winners this time. Love.

Lyric Man

Date: 5/14/2018 5:29:00 PM

Wow! You should've entered this piece. It's humorously clever and nicely composed. I imagine there might be a bit of truth to this as well ;)

Lin Lane
Date: 5/14/2018 5:32:00 PM

It's the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth... I haven't entered contests in months and have no intention of doing so.

Pashang Salehi

Date: 5/8/2018 5:07:00 PM

You said it Lin... I'm with you all the way...

Pashang Salehi
Date: 5/11/2018 8:10:00 PM

You bet...

Lin Lane
Date: 5/9/2018 10:30:00 AM

Thank you very much, Pashang.

FJ Thomas

Date: 5/7/2018 10:46:00 PM

Lin they are right, the contest cliques are everywhere. But some hosts are fair. I'll admit I've been irritated more than a few times. I can never place in certain people's contests. I get frustrated because after reading the winners I don't understand why I didn't place. Or worse, they went so far as to have 20 honorable mentions and I didn't even make that lol. But in some of their defense a lot of times their winners are always different. So I have to assume my poetry is just a style they're not feeling. :)

Lin Lane
Date: 5/8/2018 5:23:00 AM

Some hosts are fair, and their judging is based on what they prefer. That's understandable. It's the unfairness of 2 who continue to place each other 1st or 2nd that offends the poets whose poetry is much better. And that's not just my opinion. There are judges who place EVERYONE 1st. That's NOT a contest. One uses fake names to win contests. What a pity things like that happen, but you and I know the plight of this system of things.

Winged Warrior

Date: 5/6/2018 10:29:00 AM

Hi Laney...can I call you Laney?...from my experience, you'll find corruption and selfishness in most places we go...it's part of our human nature(cliche)...the only difference is...when good, honest and talented people leave...then what we have left is, primarily a bunch of idiots hitting each other on their heads...if you are planning to leave...please reconsider...you are one of the good ones Lin...we need you...just don't hit me on the head lol...love and light...^WW^

Lin Lane
Date: 5/6/2018 8:22:00 PM

lol my warrior, you may call me Laney. It's kinda cute. Your comment gave me a vision of cave people hitting each other over the head, which brings to mind at least one such creature on the site. I'm not renewing my PM but I'll still post once in a while. Thank you for calling me a 'good one.' You're safe and I would never hit you.

Faraz Ajmal

Date: 5/6/2018 9:06:00 AM

Hi Lin, really enjoyed reading this poem of yours, I haven been on ps for something like 8 months and I never have such problems probably because I hardly apply in a contest and when I don t place, it s just reminder that other poems must be better than mine and so I should improve, but I m sure that you are speaking after something you are sure, so good luck,

Lin Lane
Date: 5/6/2018 8:20:00 PM

Thank you, Faraz. The best poems don't always win the PS contests, and I'm not pointing a finger at most judges. I just don't enter them any longer.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 5/5/2018 2:12:00 PM

Hi, Lin. I rarely join contests....very rarely. I'm sometimes surprised by how a poem that I thought had merit doesn't even place...or gets a not applicable. That's beyond me. Since I haven't joined one recently, I'm unaware of your reference, but I know it can happen. Please...hang in there. Hugs

Lin Lane
Date: 5/5/2018 8:38:00 PM

All of your poetry has merit, Eileen. You're a talented poet. There are several reasons yours and others who are skilled at writing never make it onto the winning list, or up to a placement they deserve. I haven't entered a contest here in many months and never will agailn. I won't get into it here but you can soup mail me and I'll give you more information if you're interested.

John Gondolf

Date: 5/5/2018 11:22:00 AM

Your words are so true, Lin, I sometimes ask myself why I keep entering contests; I suppose I’m looking for validation. I will never sponsor a contest because I don’t know that I could be totally unbiased. And you are so right that even if it is completely anonymous you do recognize the writing style of people you follow. John

Lin Lane
Date: 5/5/2018 8:35:00 PM

There are many sly things going on, John, and it's a shame that it's been taking place for quite some time. Your poetry doesn't need validation from anyone. It's strong enough to stand on its own. Thanks for the fine comments you leave on my writes.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 5/5/2018 6:38:00 AM

My shaking head. Great write Lin. :) xomo!

Lin Lane
Date: 5/5/2018 11:19:00 AM

Thanks for the headshake. Gotcha.

Tim Smith

Date: 5/4/2018 1:53:00 PM

It's true on most sites with the biased judging.

Lin Lane
Date: 5/4/2018 2:00:00 PM

It's pitiful for anyone to stoop so low as to say they are holding a contest when the winner is prejudged before the first poem is entered. Why do some feel the need to be so duplicitous? It's far beyond my reasoning.

Dale Gregory Cozart

Date: 5/4/2018 11:57:00 AM

I know of what you speak and feel the same way.

Lin Lane
Date: 5/4/2018 1:57:00 PM

Hi Dale, and thanks for adding your opinion to mine and others. That kind of behavior is such a devious way for people to act.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 5/4/2018 9:50:00 AM

I'm not sure how it works Lin but I was led to believe that by not putting your name on an entry would make it anonimous to whoever was holding the contest, perhaps I'm wrong.Maybe have judges outside of soup, just an idea. Well said. Tom.

Lin Lane
Date: 5/4/2018 10:09:00 AM

That's how it SHOULD work, Tom, but anyone can see who wrote what poem for any contest by looking at the new writes. In addition, many poets know the writing style of others and so much more that you and others are not aware of. The idea of outside judges and other suggestions have been made but not taken, so the cheating (in this and other ways) goes on, and friendship nepotism continues. Many contests are a farce. No shade thrown on honest judges.

Jan Allison

Date: 5/4/2018 9:11:00 AM

A hard hitting powerfully penned poem that I think others may be able to relate to Lin! I know you have given up entering contests on soup and these days I enter fewer and fewer as there is little point in entering some as I can often predict exactly where I will place. I use contests to inspire me to learn new forms and be creative even if i don't actually put them in a contest. :-) hugs jan xx

Lin Lane
Date: 5/4/2018 9:19:00 AM

I think it's wonderful, Jan, that you turn the table on those who judge unfairly by using their themes to inspire you to write. Thanks for realizing what this write circumferences and why it was posted. ;-)