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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: 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 ?????

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/9/2024 1:53:00 PM

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.

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

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.

Speaks Volumes
Date: 4/7/2024 7:55:00 PM

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.

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
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Any one know why my friend Thriveni left soup? Date Posted: 3/4/2024 7:58:00 PM

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4/16/2024	Yet	Rhyme	love,
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4/15/2024	Psychological Warfare	Imagism	war,
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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,
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4/2/2024	Blame	Quatrain	dark,emotions,
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3/27/2024	The Twilight Zone	Narrative	granddaughter,grave,priso
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3/22/2024	Rain	Personification	rain,rainbow,
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3/21/2024	Feeling Worthless	Rhyme	sad,
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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,
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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,
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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,
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2/29/2024	Guess Who 3	Rhyme	music,
2/29/2024	Guess Who 2	Rhyme	america,
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2/28/2024	If there was just one thing I could change	Narrative	world,
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Being Rich Is So Much a Bore	Rhyme	humorous,
My Muse and Me	Pantoum	muse,
Halloween's Mask of Comfort	Rhyme	desire,halloween,
In a Dream	Free verse	dance,desire,dream,happin
The Silent Saint	Monoku	work,
Faith and Prayer	Rhyme	appreciation,growth,
The Charlie Norton School Performing Arts	Rhyme	art,career,education,ment
Peace of Heart - Potd	Free verse	appreciation,love,peace,
A Yorkshire Tale	Rhyme	imagination,passion,roman
Identity Crisis	Rhyme	confusion,dream,lost,myst
The Nearly Men	Rhyme	atheist,feelings,humanity
Creation	Free verse	creation,drink,freedom,po
Master of Science	Rhyme	celebration,happy,life,pe
By the Lake	Rhyme	love,
Last Night	Free verse	inspirational love,love,m
Absent Friends Salute	Rhyme	dedication,friendship,mil
Lessons	Tristich	beauty,goodbye,memory,pai
Unarmed	Free verse	anti bullying,anxiety,
Candid Camera	Rhyme	christmas,fun,
Ode To My Wellie Boots	Rhyme	memory,nostalgia,remember
Alienation	Rhyme	christmas,class,humanity,
I Can Feel Your Love	Rondeau Redouble	beautiful,emotions,feelin
No Angels In Foxholes	Rhyme	dream,memorial,military,s
My Many Muses	Free verse	growth,inspirational,love
A Beating Heart	Free verse	fate,feelings,first love,
The Eastern Gate Part I	Rhyme	break up,leaving,lost lov
Isolation	Rhyme	age,birthday,depression,e
Whispered Melodies - First Place Contest Winner	Rhyme	appreciation,beauty,cheer
In a Silent Way	Free verse	addiction,imagery,
Fauna of New Yawk	Rhyme	animal,new york,
Whispers In the Shadows	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,beau
Mission Statement	Rhyme	philosophy,
Earthliness	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,beau
Mama I Love You To No End	Free verse	devotion,love,mother daug
Imagine	Rhyme	fantasy,imagination,space
Protector	Terzanelle	devotion,
By Throckrington Moor	Rhyme	beauty,earth,environment,
Losing Touch	Free verse	11th grade,angst,body,can
Love In the Making	Free verse	love,
Whisperings of My Soul	Rhyme	freedom,inspiration,intro
Tomorrow Will Take Care of Itself	Rhyme	day,
Spring Is Never Far Off	Free verse	love,seasons,
The Captive Quill	Rhyme	addiction,analogy,appreci
The Pebble	Free verse	extended metaphor,inspira
Value of a Word	Free verse	books,dream,fantasy,feeli
His Name Is Jesus	Rhyme	bible,christian,faith,jes
Lucidity	Sonnet	meaningful,poetry,words,w
Snow White	Limerick	fruit,funny,humorous,kiss
Angelic	Rhyme	angel,feelings,irony,long
The Stanzas By the Sea	Rhyme	beach,england,holiday,mem
Dreams Minichu	Rhyme	dream,
Melody of Lonely Angel	Rhyme	analogy,angel,appreciatio
A Directive To Be	Rhyme	endurance,god,loss,missin
Baby Steps	Free verse	change,christian,confiden
Radiant Fall	Rhyme	autumn,color,flying,seaso
These Are My Thoughts On Branches Affected By Winds	Free verse	tree,
Rain - Raging	Verse	environment,feelings,lost
Odd Cultural Topics	Rhyme	allusion,analogy,change,c
Secret Love - 2nd Place Contest Win	Crown of Sonnets	analogy,appreciation,beau
I Remember Years Ago Potd	Free verse	memory,
Nature's Worst	Haiku	nature,
An Oath To Truth and Right	Rhyme	conflict,courage,death,go
Womans Desire	Free verse	feelings,gender,love,rela
Begging To Be Someones Family	Free verse	absence,addiction,betraya
I Understand I Shout From the Sky Whilst Spinning	Free verse	anxiety,
Hearing	Rhyme	anxiety,
Evolution	Rhyme	humor,perspective,
Freedom of Poetry	Free verse	addiction,blessing,freedo
Autumn Splendor	Rhyme	autumn,color,tree,
Drowned In Liquid Fire	Rhyme	analogy,angst,fear,fire,
Fair Winds	Rhyme	boat,goodbye,sea,wind,
Headline News Today	Rhyme	how i feel,
That's Grace	Free verse	appreciation,god,inspirat
A Fathers Immortality	Free verse	father,father daughter,fe
Haunted	Couplet	fantasy,humorous,
Thoughts On Why I Considered a Peeled Orange Painted 206 Years Ago	Dramatic Monologue	anxiety,
Political Speak	Free verse	inspirational,meaningful,
In a Vampish Way	Roundel	environment,god,moon,nigh
Walter	Blank verse	death,
- Portal -	Sijo	beauty,death,deep,journey
Nemesis-POTD	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,crea
Our time is now	Kyrielle	spiritual,
My Darling Mutt	Limerick	humor,
- Lonely -	Free verse	emotions,lonely,love,
Fantastic Journey	Rhyme	adventure,fantasy,journey
Expired Embers	Haiku	age,analogy,appreciation,
Why Can'T We All Just Get Along	Rhyme	life,
Solitude	Sonnet	inspiration,introspection
A Haiku Writes Itself	Haiku	art,feelings,nature,writi
I Believe	Rhyme	angel,appreciation,future
Angelic	Free verse	appreciation,granddaughte
Sunset	Rhyme	beauty,dream,environment,
Confronting Inner Demons	Rhyme	analogy,bereavement,chara
Serenity Awakened	Haiku	analogy,appreciation,peac
Rise And Fall	Terzanelle	beach,romance,sea,
Awakened By Breeze	Verse	appreciation,beauty,tree,
- Song -	Verse	beauty,Lullaby,song,
Poetically Defined	Free verse	cry,depression,emotions,s
Sunset	Blank verse	death,
What Do I Think of Love	Rhyme	love,

Fav Poets

Poet	Country
Rico Leffanta	United States	Read
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Terry Miller	United Kingdom	Read
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Jay Narain	United States	Read
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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
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