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The Shape of Water - Craig Cornish's Blog

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The Shape of Water

Blog Posted:6/25/2021 1:37:00 PM

It's been said that the role of an artist is to propose questions, not to answer them.  It is something we should all aspire to. The great Russian writer Anton Chekhov summed it up in his quote "Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass".  It is with this inspiration that I judge my contests and I hope you will see, especially among the top winners, evidence of that "Show - don't tell".  I chose Shapeless as #1 even though (I'll admit it) I had to reference two words - not in my repertoire - (inimical & dissilient) but didn't feel too shamed because my wife who reads 2-3 books a week didn't know them either. I usually don't like to have to look up words because it sort of spoils the mood like running for viagra in the midst of passion! Yet, I found the words to be perfect in their application - inimical meaning harmful/dangerous and dissilient meaning ready to burst open with force - sooo, read the poem with that knowlege and enjoy a really excellent/superior example of poetic art.  I had to come up for air with "Underwater" which, when it came in, I thought would be a sure first place. The simile/metaphor waves had me swimming sideways in the undertow - it is truly a write to gladly drown in.  Lost reverence is painful in its honesty and you will leave it in a pool of tears like it ends------great writing all, really professionally presented! Thank you.



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Date: 7/3/2021 7:39:00 AM
Your post reminds me of my own quote which declares...Ask fewer questions, discover more truths...J.A.B.
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Date: 6/29/2021 12:55:00 PM
Thank you Craig for my placement, I felt like I crossed the Rubicon, you are a fair yet tough judge which actually gives meaning to any placement in your contests
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Craig Cornish
Date: 6/30/2021 7:31:00 AM
LOL - It's great to see a guy elbow his way in amongst all this female talent!
Date: 6/28/2021 9:01:00 PM
Thank you, Craig, for my placement in your contest. I respect your keen, poetic critique and always feel I’ve really accomplished something if I can place in your contests! Love your subject prompts, too! So creative and sparks the imagination! :)
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Craig Cornish
Date: 6/30/2021 7:30:00 AM
You always have a great perspective on the theme Laura - thank you!
Date: 6/28/2021 10:57:00 AM
Thank you so much Craig for this delightful theme to ponder and for your gracious placement! It is truly an honor. Your themes and standards always draw me into a new place inviting something new to rise to the surface. Blessings my friend!
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Craig Cornish
Date: 6/30/2021 7:28:00 AM
Thank you for honoring the contest Sam!
Date: 6/26/2021 2:00:00 PM
Thanks for my placement in your contest. I really loved the topic you presented. Congrats to all the winners.
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Craig Cornish
Date: 6/26/2021 2:17:00 PM
Great write Andrea!
Date: 6/26/2021 9:21:00 AM
Thank you so much Craig, I was honored and thrilled by the first place in your contest, for many reasons one being i have always admired you as a judge because of your tough judging that make me strive to build my writing skills, two being my muse was in hiding and only coming out in little glimpses when she felt like it! I often look to contests for some inspiration, sometimes even look to the dictionary for the word of the day, both words used were words of days, they seemed fitting in where my poem was headed so i used them, sorry to make you have to work to find them and their meaning, love your reference to the viagra though lol... thanks again for the honor of a win ! Congrats to all!
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Sandra Adams
Date: 6/26/2021 5:34:00 PM
lol never would i report you to anyone, and thanks again for the laughs and honor! I consider you a very talented writer! As Connie said on my poem, a first place in this contest was comparable to a trophy win! :)
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Craig Cornish
Date: 6/26/2021 2:17:00 PM
LOL - Sandy your perceptions and interpretations are a rare talent--on the short list of writing here, on the soup, or anywhere---thanks so very much for honoring this inspiration with your art - special! BTW - I know I could get in trouble these days but I may - will - appropriate your words of the day - please don't report me to the authorship police!
Date: 6/26/2021 2:27:00 AM
hi craig, many thanks for my placement, it was an interesting prompt; i do enjoy your contests..i laughed at the viagra analogy haha i knew inimical but didn't know dissilient; i don't mind having to look up a word as i like learning new words, it all adds to your vocabulary..congrats to all the winners! :)
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Craig Cornish
Date: 6/26/2021 1:56:00 PM
Charlotte, I always dwell on your thoughts and am never surprised to discover why--thanks so much for sharing.
Date: 6/25/2021 8:36:00 PM
On 'Show-don't tell' - What Chekhov actually said, in a letter to his brother, was "In descriptions of Nature one must seize on small details, grouping them so that when the reader closes his eyes he gets a picture. For instance, you’ll have a moonlit night if you write that on the mill dam a piece of glass from a broken bottle glittered like a bright little star, and that the black shadow of a dog or a wolf rolled past like a ball." Yarmolinsky, Avrahm (1954). The Unknown Chekhov: Stories and Other Writings Hitherto Untranslated by Anton Chekhov. Noonday Press, New York. p. 14.
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Craig Cornish
Date: 6/26/2021 1:53:00 PM
Hey John, thanks for the follow up--Chekhov was an amazingly gifted writer, it is good to revisit their advice - hopefully we can also leave something worth revisiting as well!
Date: 6/25/2021 6:31:00 PM
Thanks for the wonderful prompt and my placement. lyour prompt lead to many wonderful poems being written. It was not an easy contest to judge. Considering the quality and depth of writes I saw in new poems list daily, I was not expecting a placement. Looking forward to another wonderful prompt. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS. THOSE WHO DID NOT PLACE, YOU WERE EXCELLENT TOO.I ENJOYED READING ALL ENTRIES.
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Craig Cornish
Date: 6/25/2021 7:43:00 PM
Well done Rama.
Date: 6/25/2021 4:46:00 PM
I really enjoyed writing for your contest . It was an original idea, I am grateful for being on your winners list, Looking forward to more contests from you, God bless . and thank you
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Craig Cornish
Date: 6/25/2021 7:45:00 PM
Vie, wonderful job on the poem!
Date: 6/25/2021 3:45:00 PM
Congratulations to the winners, peace _Constance
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Date: 6/25/2021 1:53:00 PM
Hi Craig -- Even though my poem did not place, I want to thank you for considering it. Your contest raised a number of philosophical questions and gave way to many interpretations. The winners you chose were certainly worthy ones. Thanks so much for sponsoring the contest!
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Craig Cornish
Date: 6/25/2021 3:13:00 PM
Thank you Milton!

My Past Blog Posts

 
Silence
Date Posted: 6/10/2025 11:29:00 AM
Wilderness of Mirrors
Date Posted: 5/22/2025 11:09:00 AM
Contest
Date Posted: 4/1/2025 12:35:00 PM
Expert Advice
Date Posted: 1/26/2025 6:49:00 AM
More Poetic Christmas Trivia
Date Posted: 12/4/2024 11:06:00 AM
Rudolph History
Date Posted: 12/3/2024 7:16:00 AM
what makes sense ---perspective
Date Posted: 11/30/2024 1:09:00 PM
The Optimist
Date Posted: 11/8/2024 9:11:00 AM
Modifier Monotony
Date Posted: 11/1/2024 11:16:00 AM
Complicated Simplicity
Date Posted: 10/8/2024 11:41:00 AM
AI and ME
Date Posted: 10/4/2024 8:28:00 AM
AIBS
Date Posted: 10/1/2024 2:04:00 PM
She's always a Woman
Date Posted: 8/5/2024 10:28:00 AM
Contest etc
Date Posted: 7/23/2024 3:17:00 PM
The Old Gentleman with the Amber Snuff-Box
Date Posted: 6/26/2024 1:06:00 PM
Melancholy Moon - Greg Barden
Date Posted: 6/23/2024 10:22:00 AM
The empty room contest
Date Posted: 6/10/2024 12:52:00 PM
Written Long Ago
Date Posted: 5/13/2024 2:17:00 PM
Silence SPEAKS
Date Posted: 5/11/2024 12:29:00 PM
Who Wrote about a Lamb Where?
Date Posted: 4/20/2024 7:13:00 AM
Some Tidbits on Writing
Date Posted: 3/27/2024 11:19:00 AM
Black and White
Date Posted: 3/22/2024 10:21:00 AM
Shizumano Taiyo Contest etc.
Date Posted: 3/3/2024 9:40:00 AM
Haiku 201
Date Posted: 12/27/2023 11:56:00 AM
Haiku
Date Posted: 12/23/2023 1:00:00 PM

My Recent Poems

Date PostedPoemTitleFormCategories
7/9/2025 Lost Goodbyes Lyricsong,
7/6/2025 Misty River Rainbows Free verseallusion,
7/4/2025 Forgotten Dreams Versedream,
6/16/2025 cobblestone Crystallinehumor,
6/14/2025 Lost and Broken Free versedepression,hope,love,
6/12/2025 Time for Champagne Abecedariansunset,
6/5/2025 Silence Listens Free verseimagination,
5/30/2025 wildflower Monokudream,
5/26/2025 Grey Free versebereavement,death,
5/9/2025 Road Trip Versechildren,
5/5/2025 A Wilderness of Mirrors Free verseconfusion,innocence,life,
3/22/2025 Blue Cheese and Old Pickles Free verseintrospection,
3/11/2025 Shadows Suzette Primelove hurts,
2/24/2025 Listen to Your Eyes Sonnetlove,
2/21/2025 A Vine in Winter Free verseage,youth,
2/12/2025 Undergrowth with Two Figures Ekphrasishope,longing,
2/7/2025 Ivy League Free versecharacter,education,
2/5/2025 The Bard Bequeaths Sonnetfarewell,
1/27/2025 A Light Through Yonder Window Sonnetlove,
1/20/2025 A Birthing Frost Rhymeage,love,old,
1/19/2025 waken Free versesea,
1/15/2025 A Lovely Wither Free versedeath,
1/6/2025 Discontinued? Free verselife,
12/30/2024 New Years Old Wishes Free verseintrospection,new year,
11/26/2024 Obscurity Free verselife,
11/15/2024 Conflagration Free verseintrospection,
11/7/2024 Jolted by Twilight Free verselove,memory,
11/1/2024 Bodacious Rose Free versesensual,
10/24/2024 empty thoughts Free verselife,
10/18/2024 Bird of Paradise Quatrainimagination,
10/14/2024 Haunted Cemetery Rhymehalloween,
10/13/2024 Winter Wishes Sapphic stanzaseasons,
9/29/2024 Awaiting Reality - Tri Rhymeautumn,
9/28/2024 The Frost Bitten Rose Rhymefaith,hope,
9/19/2024 The Picture on the Parlor Wall Free verseart,lost love,love,
8/26/2024 The Stubborn Few Sonnetseasons,
8/18/2024 Moonlight on Meadows Sonnetdream,
8/6/2024 why Haikuintrospection,
7/10/2024 Sea Glass Blank versememory,
7/8/2024 What are WE Sonnetdeath,
6/28/2024 clouds Haikuseasons,
6/17/2024 Yesterday's Wishes Blank verselife,
6/15/2024 The Jig of Emotions Free verselost love,
6/6/2024 The Empty Room Free verseloss,
6/1/2024 The Pressed Rose Blank verseallusion,dream,
5/31/2024 A Meeting of Hearts Narrativelove,
5/25/2024 The Homefront Free verseheartbreak,war,
5/22/2024 Raining in Summer Free verserain,
5/9/2024 When Silence Speaks Sonnethistory,
4/25/2024 The Quicksand of Thought Sonnetloss,
4/12/2024 Forgotten Field of Forever Free versememory,
4/12/2024 A Wish for Spring Abecedarianseasons,spring,
4/9/2024 eclipsed-dodo Dodoitsulove,
3/31/2024 Ethereal Lantern Free versehome,hope,
3/27/2024 Making Music Free versemusic,old,
3/24/2024 Song of the Wind Personificationweather,wind,
3/18/2024 Yin - Yang Free versecreation,
3/16/2024 Let's Tango Free versenature,seasons,
3/10/2024 Woven Worlds Othertruth,
3/2/2024 A Hydrangea's Lament Free verselife,
1/23/2024 Fate Cannot Wait Limerickfunny love,
1/22/2024 A Terrible Start Limerickfunny,
1/16/2024 Unsinkable Sonnetdeath,
1/16/2024 Scentient Sijolove,
1/9/2024 Dorian Gray - A Triple Entendre Quatrainself,
1/8/2024 Shizumanu Taiyo Lyricsong,
1/1/2024 breakfast Senryunew year,
12/31/2023 Naked Apprehension Free versenew year,
12/26/2023 love Haikulove,
12/20/2023 Everywhere Free verseloss,
12/13/2023 winter sky Haikuwinter,
12/12/2023 DIVORCE Acrostichope,
12/8/2023 Wabi-Sabi Free verselife,
12/1/2023 Always Home Free verselife,
11/4/2023 Daylight Saving Free verseautumn,
11/2/2023 Morning Mood Haikulife,
11/2/2023 The Trail Ends Sign Free verseinspiration,
10/30/2023 Repurposed Evolution Free verselife,
10/24/2023 Cowplops Senryufunny,
10/14/2023 The Unsupervised Stop Sign Free versedeath,life,
10/12/2023 Erinyes Alexandrinehalloween,
10/7/2023 Phantom Dreams Alexandrinedream,
9/11/2023 Edges of a Dream Iambic Pentameterdream,
9/9/2023 Vanilla Shell Free versemorning,
8/30/2023 Golden Shovel Versestorm,
8/26/2023 A Sonnet For Becca Sonnettribute,
8/24/2023 A Fish Lass Lament Rhymehistory,
8/21/2023 Entrenching Reality Sonnetwar,
8/17/2023 Out My Window Free verselife,
8/7/2023 Pavilions of Time Sonnetmemory,
7/29/2023 When Doves Cry Sonneteulogy,
7/7/2023 Pasted Nostalgia A Prose Poetrymemory,
6/27/2023 A Silent Kind of Blue Sonnetmusic,
6/23/2023 The Scoop On the Poop Limerickfunny,
6/8/2023 Beyond the Veil Sonnetmoon,
5/17/2023 Sitka Sunset Free versesunset,
5/8/2023 Anatomy of Melancholy Free versedepression,
5/5/2023 Yonder Free versetruth,
5/2/2023 The Old Man Rhymeeulogy,
4/27/2023 Fixation Free verselife,

My Photos


Fav Poems

PoemTitleFormCategories
For I Have Weathered Storms Sonnetstorm,
On the Other Side of Cobblestone Streets Free versedestiny,dream,fate,

Fav Poets

PoetCountry 
Heather Ober Canada Flag Canada Read
Angelica Tao United States Flag United States Read

Book: Reflection on the Important Things