Home » Poems & Poetry » Blogs » Confused.

Confused. - Speaks Volumes's Blog

About Speaks Volumes

(Show Details...)

My Biography is Coming Soon...No it isn't.

Home
Past Blogs
Poems
Photos
Fav Poems
Fav Poets

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.

Post Comments

Please Login to post a comment

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.

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: 5/15/2024 4:53:00 AM

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.

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 ?????

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

Speaks Volumes
Date: 5/15/2024 4:58:00 AM

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.

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! 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.

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


It's the world wide web. Date Posted: 5/16/2025 9:59:00 PM
For our friend Date Posted: 12/5/2024 2:53:00 AM
The best advice ever. Date Posted: 11/22/2024 6:24:00 PM
Something nice/ Date Posted: 6/1/2024 7:48:00 PM
Confused. Date Posted: 4/6/2024 11:04:00 PM
Does any one Know if Sotto Poet is away on holidays ? Date Posted: 3/25/2024 6:21:00 AM
Any one know why my friend Thriveni left soup? Date Posted: 3/4/2024 7:58:00 PM

My Recent Poems

Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
5/16/2025	In Honor of Them Every Day	Rhyme	remember,remembrance day,
5/16/2025	The Fire Within - Abstract by Lee J Morgan	Ekphrasis	fire,
5/15/2025	She reassured me with an unfamiliar line	Rhyme	blessing,grandmother,
5/15/2025	Good Intensions	Free verse	nice,
5/15/2025	Shadows of the Valley	Rhyme	sin,
5/14/2025	Castles	Verse	love,
5/6/2025	New dreams	Rhyme	dream,hope,
5/6/2025	Rush Hour	Verse	birth,
5/6/2025	Imagining - Hexaline	Verse	hair,
5/5/2025	Whither thou goest	Quatrain	death,endurance,faith,gra
5/3/2025	Splendiferous So Simply Succumbed	Alliteration	environment,
5/3/2025	Kindness is Free	Rhyme	light,
5/2/2025	A Rainbow of Colours	Rhyme	creation,
5/2/2025	unintended innuendo	Rhyme	innocence,
4/28/2025	Tomorrow is a brand new day	Rhyme	happy,
4/24/2025	Writing A Poetic Rhapsody	Rhyme	music,
4/10/2025	The Door of Uncertainty	Rhyme	life,
12/25/2024	True Christmas Miracle	Rhyme	miracle,
12/24/2024	Merry Christmas	Free verse	christmas,
12/13/2024	Christmas Word Morph	Rhyme	christmas,
12/13/2024	WORD MORPH	Rhyme	hate,love,
11/22/2024	The Pros and Cons of a relationship	Free verse	friend,
11/15/2024	If I Were Your Love	Rhyme	addiction,
11/9/2024	Jolted by Twilight	Rhyme	sunset,
9/25/2024	Fondest Memory	Rhyme	memory,
9/25/2024	Ocean's Glory	Imagism	ocean,
9/25/2024	Without the fear of dying	Rhyme	war,
9/25/2024	Autumn	Haiku	autumn,
9/25/2024	Sensuality	Rhyme	sensual,
8/25/2024	Over the Town by Marc Chagall	Monoku	flying,
8/25/2024	Review It	Rhyme	corruption,
8/25/2024	A Couple - Tri	Rhyme	anniversary,
8/25/2024	Its Simple	Rhyme	girl,
8/25/2024	Little Feather	Rhyme	bird,flying,nursery rhyme
8/24/2024	New Beginning	Quintain (English)	day,
8/24/2024	Judge Me Gently	Rhyme	poetry,
8/23/2024	My Sightless Serenity	Hybronnet	feelings,
8/22/2024	BIG TRAIN inspired by Glenn Hughes	Lyric	kiss,
8/22/2024	Melancholy	Rhyme	beauty,
8/21/2024	Twice is nice	Limerick	marriage,
8/21/2024	I am alive	Grook	life,
8/14/2024	A Special Poet	Rhyme	poems,poetry,poets,
8/8/2024	I dont wanna go to school - A Nursery Rhyme	Rhyme	nursery rhyme,school,
7/21/2024	Going Home - Abracadabra	Rhyme	home,mountains,
6/22/2024	I don't need love - No 86	Free verse	love,
6/19/2024	Contrast	Couplet	youth,
6/18/2024	LIFE	Carpe Diem	life,
6/18/2024	Yesterday's Wishes	Rhyme	love,
6/17/2024	Raindrops	Rhyme	rain,
6/17/2024	Stevie Wonder	Clerihew	friend,
6/17/2024	never enough	Suzette Prime	heartbroken,
6/17/2024	It's Written All Over Your Face	Lyric	dream,
6/16/2024	BIO	Bio	poetry,
6/16/2024	AI -The Blessings and Curses	Haibun	art,
6/16/2024	Enthusiasm	Quatrain	faith,
6/13/2024	Janus face VS An Act of Kindness	Free verse	marriage,
6/12/2024	Dance the Dances	Couplet	dance,
6/11/2024	Shape Shifting Soul	Narrative	earth,
6/10/2024	A tropical island	Free verse	beach,
6/9/2024	Gemini Garden - Silent One	Shape	bird,
6/9/2024	Our Team Is Now Famous	Lyric	grief,
6/9/2024	My Gemini Garden	Free verse	garden,
6/9/2024	The Empty Room	Free verse	mystery,
6/7/2024	My Girl	Verse	child,
6/7/2024	The Goddess Uni	Ottava rima	inspiration,
6/6/2024	She always had a kindly word	Rhyme	love,
6/6/2024	Swap It	Quatrain	smile,
6/6/2024	Reflections - Free for All	Shape	water,
6/5/2024	You Are Always On My Mind	Rhyme	son,
5/29/2024	Mouse or Mountain	Rhyme	life,
5/29/2024	Don't Go Off Half Baked With Poetry Soup	Shape	places,
5/28/2024	Pearl	Rhyme	love,
5/28/2024	Cheery	Etheree	love,
5/27/2024	Crash Landing - B Type	Burlesque	flying,
5/25/2024	Lilith	Rhyme	night,
5/24/2024	He has only just begun	Free verse	life,
5/24/2024	There Is A Time For Everything - 1312	Free verse	time,
5/24/2024	Open Poetry 9 - Not Worthy of Life	Rhyme	death,
5/24/2024	Why did I become a poet?	Rhyme	poems,
5/23/2024	Heart Gentle, Eye Mindful	Rhyme	heart,
5/21/2024	Supine, Looking At The Sky	Quatrain	stars,
5/21/2024	Raining in Summer	Quatrain	rain,
5/17/2024	War Pigs - Glenn Hughes	Rhyme	war,
5/17/2024	Bird in Space - Constantin Brancusi 1310	Ekphrasis	bird,
5/16/2024	If only you knew	Rhyme	angel,
5/13/2024	Daisy a Day - Gotta Love	Alliteration	devotion,
5/12/2024	Not buried I have been planted	Abecedarian	tree,
5/11/2024	Summer Flowers	Quatrain	flower,garden,
5/10/2024	Is there any romance in a Square Dance	Lyric	dance,
5/10/2024	Curtains	Verse	fantasy,woman,
5/9/2024	Dauntless	Couplet	woman,
5/7/2024	Palandrome Finished Soon	Limerick	dad,
5/4/2024	General George S Patton	Clerihew	military,
5/1/2024	SLY	Other	music,
5/1/2024	Divine Magnetism	Shape	spiritual,
5/1/2024	106 Walt Disney	Clerihew	dream,world,
4/29/2024	LOVE	Sonnet	love,
4/28/2024	Captive	Rhyme	mother,
4/28/2024	Feelings - A Love Story	Couplet	feelings,love,
4/27/2024	When dawn drifts into enchanted meadows	Rhyme	sun,

My Photos

Fav Poems

PoemTitle	Form	Categories
Halloween's Mask of Comfort	Rhyme	desire,halloween,
My Muse and Me	Pantoum	muse,
The Silent Saint	Monoku	work,
Being Rich Is So Much a Bore	Rhyme	humorous,
In a Dream	Free verse	dance,desire,dream,happin
Candid Camera	Rhyme	christmas,fun,
The Charlie Norton School Performing Arts	Rhyme	art,career,education,ment
Peace of Heart - Potd	Free verse	appreciation,love,peace,
Faith and Prayer	Rhyme	appreciation,growth,
A Yorkshire Tale	Rhyme	imagination,passion,roman
The Nearly Men	Rhyme	atheist,feelings,humanity
Absent Friends Salute	Rhyme	dedication,friendship,mil
Identity Crisis	Rhyme	confusion,dream,lost,myst
Master of Science	Rhyme	celebration,happy,life,pe
By the Lake	Rhyme	love,
Alienation	Rhyme	christmas,class,humanity,
Unarmed	Free verse	anti bullying,anxiety,
Creation	Free verse	creation,drink,freedom,po
No Angels In Foxholes	Rhyme	dream,memorial,military,s
Ode To My Wellie Boots	Rhyme	memory,nostalgia,remember
Last Night	Free verse	inspirational love,love,m
The Eastern Gate Part I	Rhyme	break up,leaving,lost lov
Love In the Making	Free verse	love,
Lessons	Tristich	beauty,goodbye,memory,pai
Protector	Terzanelle	devotion,
Gratitude	Rhyme	graduate,poetry,voyage,
My Many Muses	Free verse	growth,inspirational,love
Whispered Melodies - First Place Contest Winner	Rhyme	appreciation,beauty,cheer
Begging To Be Someones Family	Free verse	absence,addiction,betraya
I Remember Years Ago Potd	Free verse	memory,
A Beating Heart	Free verse	fate,feelings,first love,
Earthliness	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,beau
Whispers In the Shadows	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,beau
Losing Touch	Free verse	11th grade,angst,body,can
Mission Statement	Rhyme	philosophy,
Political Speak	Free verse	inspirational,meaningful,
Lucidity	Sonnet	meaningful,poetry,words,w
I Felt Your Love	Rondeau Redouble	beautiful,emotions,feelin
Mama I Love You To No End	Free verse	devotion,love,mother daug
Imagine	Rhyme	fantasy,imagination,space
And the Dog Laughed Too	Rhyme	dog,friendship,humor,
His Name Is Jesus	Rhyme	bible,christian,faith,jes
In a Vampish Way	Roundel	environment,god,moon,nigh
Headline News Today	Rhyme	how i feel,
The Captive Quill	Rhyme	addiction,analogy,appreci
Isolation	Rhyme	age,birthday,depression,e
The Stanzas By the Sea	Free verse	beach,england,holiday,mem
Fantastic Journey	Rhyme	adventure,fantasy,journey
Fauna of New Yawk	Rhyme	animal,new york,
In Gratitude	Rhyme	anger,appreciation,betray
Nemesis-POTD	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,crea
My Mother's Book	Rhyme	mother,
Drowned In Liquid Fire	Rhyme	analogy,angst,fear,fire,
Why Can'T We All Just Get Along	Rhyme	life,
Snow White	Limerick	fruit,funny,humorous,kiss
Whisperings of My Soul	Rhyme	freedom,inspiration,intro
Baby Steps	Free verse	change,christian,confiden
Ins and Outs	Monorhyme	life,
Fair Winds	Rhyme	boat,goodbye,sea,wind,
I Believe	Rhyme	angel,appreciation,future
Value of a Word	Free verse	books,dream,fantasy,feeli
Radiant Fall	Rhyme	autumn,color,flying,seaso
A Directive To Be	Rhyme	endurance,god,loss,missin
The Pebble	Free verse	extended metaphor,inspira
Secret Love - 2nd Place Contest Win	Crown of Sonnets	analogy,appreciation,beau
Odd Cultural Topics	Rhyme	allusion,analogy,change,c
Overjoyed-Originally Del Valle	Rhyme	baby,birth,daughter,
Autumn Splendor	Rhyme	autumn,color,tree,
A Fathers Immortality	Free verse	father,father daughter,fe
Nature's Worst	Haiku	nature,
The Day We Met	Couplet	love,
Womans Desire	Free verse	feelings,gender,love,rela
Awakened By Breeze	Verse	appreciation,beauty,tree,
Let Me Hold You	Rhyme	cheer up,courage,love,
Your Red Balloon	I do not know?	dedication,i miss you,
Weeping Willow	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,beau
Haunted	Couplet	fantasy,humorous,
Angelic	Rhyme	angel,feelings,irony,long
I Want No Trouble - POTD	Light Verse	conflict,desire,encouragi
The Windmills of Babel	Free verse	bird,change,environment,f
An Oath To Truth and Right	Rhyme	conflict,courage,death,go
My Darling Mutt	Limerick	humor,
Sorry	Free verse	wisdom,
Melody of Lonely Angel	Rhyme	analogy,angel,appreciatio
Expired Embers	Haiku	age,analogy,appreciation,
I Understand I Shout From the Sky Whilst Spinning	Free verse	anxiety,
My Poetic Aspirations That Came Good	Rhyme	inspiration,poetry,words,
Let Truth Through	Rhyme	freedom,inspiration,intro
That's Grace	Free verse	appreciation,god,inspirat
Serenity Awakened	Haiku	analogy,appreciation,peac
Reformation	Rhyme	anger,political,society,
- Lonely -	Free verse	emotions,lonely,love,
My Guitar - First Place Contest Winner	Shape	analogy,appreciation,musi
Moments of Serenity	Free verse	analogy,appreciation,life
Quiet My Dreams	Quatrain	lost love,
Significance	Acrostic	confusion,happiness,how i
Judgement	Rhyme	analogy,how i feel,
Christmas, 2022	Free verse	christian,christmas,faith
Solitude	Sonnet	inspiration,introspection
Sunset	Blank verse	death,

Fav Poets

Poet	Country
Rico Leffanta	United States	Read
Linda Alice Fowler	United States	Read
Terry Ireland	United Kingdom	Read
I Am Anaya	United States	Read
Terry Miller	United Kingdom	Read
Di11y Da11y	United Kingdom	Read
Jay Narain	United States	Read
Leo Larry Amadore	United States	Read
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
Craig Cornish	United States	Read
Scottie Jackson	United States	Read