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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.

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


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Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
7/1/2025	My Destiny - 1394	Sonnet	destiny,
7/1/2025	117- A Nymph isn't Real	Rhyme	imagination,
7/1/2025	GIVE ME A CHANCE	Lyric	love,
6/30/2025	Our Gate To Heaven	Rhyme	i love you,
6/26/2025	NIGHT AT THE CARNIVAL	Other	kiss,love,
6/26/2025	FOR THE STORY	Rhyme	child abuse,murder,
6/25/2025	The Wolf	Rhyme	animal,
6/23/2025	Where the wild flowers grow	Shape	flower,freedom,
6/21/2025	This should make you smile too	Rhyme	smile,
6/21/2025	Be still my heart 1391	Rhyme	heart,
6/21/2025	Honestly	Acrostic	truth,
6/19/2025	Life 1390	Haiku	life,
6/18/2025	You Are My Fantasy	Lyric	love,
6/17/2025	Follow The Arrow	Haiku	destiny,
6/17/2025	In stars above	Narrative	star,
6/17/2025	summertime	Haiku	summer,
6/15/2025	A Sight To Behold	Roundel	sun,
6/14/2025	Their Plights	Englyn	light,night,
6/14/2025	Righteous Redemption	Rhyme	devotion,
6/13/2025	AI -To Be Or Not To Be	Monoku	inspirational,
6/13/2025	The Way They Feel - Z	Shape	cry,
6/12/2025	Always the Empty Room	Rhyme	sun,
6/12/2025	Inner Voice	Rhyme	encouraging,
6/12/2025	Fireside Cuddling Was So Nice - Your Choice Y	Haiku	fire,weather,
6/11/2025	Out on a Lim	Limerick	cat,
6/11/2025	Madness to the Method	Rhyme	child,
6/7/2025	Sleepless in Seattle	Rhyme	dream,moon,sleep,star,
6/6/2025	By Accident	Rhyme	car,together,
6/5/2025	Natures Pride - Choose a Line 3	Rhyme	autumn,wind,
6/5/2025	Spiritual Blissful Utopia and Eternal Damnation	Lyric	heaven,magic,song,
6/4/2025	Tears - Your Choice U	Haiku	rain,
6/4/2025	Unloved And Became Decrepit	Rhyme	age,fate,nostalgia,perspe
6/4/2025	The Proposal	Etheree	beautiful,devotion,growth
6/2/2025	A Hard Day's Night	Lay	clothes,house,work,
6/1/2025	Your Choice S - Bird 1923 Brancusi	Ekphrasis	bird,flying,
5/31/2025	I had to Leave - Your Choice R	Quatrain	best friend,leaving,
5/30/2025	The noise was christened as silence listened	Rhyme	song,
5/30/2025	RE- POSTED - wallflower	Monoku	dance,
5/29/2025	Q - I the Clown - You Always so Wise	Quatrain	sister,sky,
5/27/2025	Your Choice P Hardware Girl	Rhyme	sorrow,
5/27/2025	Cemetery Flowers Wont Fade	Rhyme	bereavement,death,devotio
5/26/2025	To Twilight	Rhyme	tribute,
5/26/2025	Just For Giggles - A Tess By Any Other Name	Rhyme	boyfriend,marriage,
5/25/2025	The Difference a Rhyme Makes	Rhyme	angst,color,depression,
5/25/2025	Grey	Free verse	color,emotions,
5/24/2025	grape	Haiku	fruit,wine,
5/24/2025	kiwi	Haiku	fruit,growth,wine,
5/23/2025	Accepting My Fate-Breathless	Rhyme	fire,
5/23/2025	Tears On My Pillow	Rhyme	dream,
5/23/2025	Mr Bojangles-Piano Man	Rhyme	appreciation,cool,emotion
5/19/2025	Along With The Thunder	Rhyme	color,light,
5/17/2025	What Makes Me Smile	Rhyme	smile,
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,
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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,
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Fav Poems

PoemTitle	Form	Categories
Halloween's Mask of Comfort	Rhyme	desire,halloween,
My Muse and Me	Pantoum	muse,
Being Rich Is So Much a Bore	Rhyme	humorous,
The Silent Saint	Monoku	work,
The Charlie Norton School Performing Arts	Rhyme	art,career,education,ment
In a Dream	Free verse	dance,desire,dream,happin
Candid Camera	Rhyme	christmas,fun,
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
Master of Science	Rhyme	celebration,happy,life,pe
Identity Crisis	Rhyme	confusion,dream,lost,myst
Absent Friends Salute	Rhyme	dedication,friendship,mil
Ode To My Wellie Boots	Rhyme	memory,nostalgia,remember
Creation	Free verse	creation,drink,freedom,po
By the Lake	Rhyme	love,
Alienation	Rhyme	christmas,class,humanity,
Last Night	Free verse	inspirational love,love,m
Gratitude	Rhyme	graduate,poetry,voyage,
No Angels In Foxholes	Rhyme	dream,memorial,military,s
The Eastern Gate Part I	Rhyme	break up,leaving,lost lov
Love In the Making	Free verse	love,
A Beating Heart	Free verse	fate,feelings,first love,
Lessons	Tristich	beauty,goodbye,memory,pai
My Many Muses	Free verse	growth,inspirational,love
And the Dog Laughed Too	Rhyme	dog,friendship,humor,
By Throckrington Moor	Rhyme	beauty,earth,environment,
Spring Is Never Far Off	Free verse	love,seasons,
I Remember Years Ago Potd	Free verse	memory,
I Felt Your Love	Rondeau Redouble	beautiful,emotions,feelin
Begging To Be Someones Family	Free verse	absence,addiction,betraya
In Gratitude	Rhyme	anger,appreciation,betray
Isolation	Rhyme	age,birthday,depression,e
Tomorrow Will Take Care of Itself	Rhyme	day,
Fauna of New Yawk	Rhyme	animal,new york,
Headline News Today	Rhyme	how i feel,
Political Speak	Free verse	inspirational,meaningful,
Rain - Raging	Verse	environment,feelings,lost
Whispered Melodies - First Place Contest Winner	Rhyme	appreciation,beauty,cheer
What Do I Think of Love	Rhyme	love,
A Directive To Be	Rhyme	endurance,god,loss,missin
Freedom of Poetry	Free verse	addiction,blessing,freedo
My Mother's Book	Rhyme	mother,
Sneaky Snakes	Quatrain	animal,farm,friendship,
Earthliness	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,beau
Baby Steps	Free verse	change,christian,confiden
Whispers In the Shadows	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,beau
Mama I Love You To No End	Free verse	devotion,love,mother daug
Nature's Worst	Haiku	nature,
Fantastic Journey	Rhyme	adventure,fantasy,journey
Making the Grade	Limerick	humor,
Lucidity	Sonnet	meaningful,poetry,words,w
Let Me Hold You	Rhyme	cheer up,courage,love,
Ins and Outs	Monorhyme	life,
Mission Statement	Rhyme	philosophy,
Haunted	Couplet	fantasy,humorous,
- Song -	Verse	beauty,Lullaby,song,
Imagine	Rhyme	fantasy,imagination,space
The Day We Met	Couplet	love,
Losing Touch	Free verse	11th grade,angst,body,can
Why Can'T We All Just Get Along	Rhyme	life,
My Darling Mutt	Limerick	humor,
The Pebble	Free verse	extended metaphor,inspira
Womans Desire	Free verse	feelings,gender,love,rela
The Stray	Free verse	cat,cute love,feelings,im
In a Vampish Way	Roundel	environment,god,moon,nigh
Sorry	Free verse	wisdom,
Snow White	Limerick	fruit,funny,humorous,kiss
Nemesis-POTD	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,crea
Ode To the End of War	Epic	friendship,war,
Your Red Balloon	I do not know?	dedication,i miss you,
When In Doubt	Rhyme	love,
Value of a Word	Free verse	books,dream,fantasy,feeli
The Stanzas By the Sea	Free verse	beach,england,holiday,mem
Update	Limerick	religion,
Reformation	Rhyme	anger,political,society,
Silent At Sunset	Quatrain	nature,silence,sky,stress
I Am At Peace	Free verse	love,peace,
Angelic	Rhyme	angel,feelings,irony,long
I Believe	Rhyme	angel,appreciation,future
- Eternity -	Free verse	death,heaven,
Melody of Lonely Angel	Rhyme	analogy,angel,appreciatio
Odd Cultural Topics	Rhyme	allusion,analogy,change,c
Walter	Blank verse	death,
That's Grace	Free verse	appreciation,god,inspirat
- Portal -	Sijo	beauty,death,deep,journey
The Windmills of Babel	Free verse	bird,change,environment,f
My Poetic Aspirations That Came Good	Rhyme	inspiration,poetry,words,
- Lonely -	Free verse	emotions,lonely,love,
Our time is now	Kyrielle	spiritual,
His Name Is Jesus	Rhyme	bible,christian,faith,jes
Siesta Key-Haikoum	Haiku	beach,bird,nature,
Rise And Fall	Terzanelle	beach,romance,sea,
Just a Small Drop In a Great Big Ocean	Free verse	future,
Secret Love - 2nd Place Contest Win	Crown of Sonnets	analogy,appreciation,beau
Brix the Bullmastiff	Limerick	dog,humor,
If Anything	Rhyme	desire,destiny,
Life's Lottery	Haiku	people,
The Unchangeables - Potw	Didactic	10th grade,11th grade,per

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Rico Leffanta	United States	Read
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Terry Ireland	United Kingdom	Read
I Am Anaya	United States	Read
Terry Miller	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
Markus Jay	Australia	Read
emelia madelyn	United States	Read