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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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Bordner Avatar
Justin
Bordner
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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Parker Avatar
Frederic
Parker
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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cornish Avatar
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!
Leiser Avatar
Laura
Leiser
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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cornish Avatar
craig cornish
Date: 6/30/2021 7:30:00 AM
You always have a great perspective on the theme Laura - thank you!
Kauffman Avatar
Sam
Kauffman
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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cornish Avatar
craig cornish
Date: 6/30/2021 7:28:00 AM
Thank you for honoring the contest Sam!
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea
Dietrich
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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cornish Avatar
craig cornish
Date: 6/26/2021 2:17:00 PM
Great write Andrea!
Adams Avatar
Sandra
Adams
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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Adams Avatar
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! :)
cornish Avatar
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!
Puddifoot Avatar
Charlotte
Puddifoot
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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cornish Avatar
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.
Anderson Avatar
John
Anderson
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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cornish Avatar
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!
Balasubramanian Avatar
Rama
Balasubramanian
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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cornish Avatar
craig cornish
Date: 6/25/2021 7:43:00 PM
Well done Rama.
Rose Avatar
Mystic Rose
Rose
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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cornish Avatar
craig cornish
Date: 6/25/2021 7:45:00 PM
Vie, wonderful job on the poem!
La France Avatar
Constance
La France
Date: 6/25/2021 3:45:00 PM
Congratulations to the winners, peace _Constance
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HANKINS Avatar
L MILTON
HANKINS
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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cornish Avatar
craig cornish
Date: 6/25/2021 3:13:00 PM
Thank you Milton!

My Past Blog Posts

 
Broken Contest
Date Posted: 8/20/2021 12:11:00 PM
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The Shape of Water
Date Posted: 6/25/2021 1:37:00 PM
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Father's Day
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Screw Up re. Contest 2020
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Date Posted: 3/29/2020 9:25:00 PM
Notes From a Soapbox
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The Lady Down the Lane
Date Posted: 3/4/2020 3:42:00 PM
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Date Posted: 2/2/2020 11:37:00 AM
Open Me First Winners
Date Posted: 1/14/2020 6:02:00 PM
Learn
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Just Wondering
Date Posted: 12/27/2019 8:20:00 AM
Open Me First
Date Posted: 12/21/2019 12:12:00 PM
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Date Posted: 12/14/2019 1:44:00 PM

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