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How Well Do You Know Your Fellow Soupers? - Jeff Kyser's Blog

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Jeff Kyser is a retired software developer who lives with his wife Frances right ‘round the bend in rural Lacey’s Spring, Alabama. A late comer to the world of poetry, he has been writing contemplative and whimsical pieces on family, on redemption, and on faith for the last several years. His eight grandchildren are the source for much of his inspiration, fueling a desire to spur their imagination and to share his life’s journey with them.

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How Well Do You Know Your Fellow Soupers?

Blog Posted:11/21/2022 6:59:00 AM

I've been musing about something - we all have a certain style, and we bring specific experiences to our work...

When I get to judge a contest, I try really hard to do so blind, by avoiding reading the poems that were submitted in the context of the new poems feed. Sometimes, it is unavoidable, and I end up seeing an entry and who wrote it (like through the "Poems of Poets I Follow" link), but I'm usually pretty successful.

Then, after I've judged, I'm always surprised by some of the entries - I thought I had an idea of who had written a particular piece, and it turns out to be a totally different person. Others are pretty easy to spot. That's by no means bad - we all have a style!

So I was trying to think of a way to make this into a contest - how well do you know your fellow soupers?

Has anyone done anything like that before? Would it be of interest? Relatively new here, having joined less than 10 months ago...

Here's one way that might work, or you might have some alternate ideas...

I'd have everyone who was interested soup-mail me 2 quatrains, stand-alone. The first would be just your normal style on any subject you wanted, maybe a very lesser known thing about yourself. The second would contain some piece of information about you that you might have revealed to others through your poems. Once I'd gotten the desired number of entries, I would post a contest containing 1. A list of the names of the people who had entered. 2. A randomized list of the "style" quatrains. 3. A randomized list of the "personal info" quatrains.

Your contest "entry" would be to match the contestant names with the titles from their style quatrain and their personal info quatrain. I'd rank the matches - the most matches gets first, etc.

Anyway, if that sounds like fun, or if you have alternate ideas, sound off here, and letslet's see what can be put together.

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Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 11/22/2022 2:59:00 PM

I don't really follow what you are saying, but if you go through with it, I wish you the best. the only way I've ever found not to know someone's poem is to ask everyone to use the exact same title, so as not to open and read their poem by mistake when it's in my contest. My memory is so bad, however, that even if I notice someone wrote a poem in my contest by seeing the poetry form on their poetry page, the title of it goes right out of my mind by the time I finally judge! I rarely see any of my contestants' poems until the time I decide to judge, which is after the contest is filled. I notice some people start judging early and once they read your poem, you cannot withdraw (in case you messed up!) I kind of wish people did not judge that way because there have been times I made mistakes but then it was too late to remove the poem or even edit it if the sponsor had decided to eliminate it in round 1. As for people's styles, yes, maybe a handful of people have a very easily identifiable style but sometimes they can surprise you, or you can mistake THEIR style for someone else's. Anyway, everyone wins in my contests, so it's no big deal. I just focus on a point system which entails grammar and punctuation along with message and imagery. Unless a poem is totally off topic, I hate to eliminate it.

Jeff Kyser
Date: 11/29/2022 10:00:00 AM

Actually, what I would think is that I would open up for having people send me the poems for a period of time. You could re-send at any point up until the contest started - the start would consist of publishing all the poems anonymously, with a list of all the people who had submitted. Your actual contest entry would be the mapping from poems to authors. We'd allow people who had not submitted anonymous poems to enter - first come, first serve, until the 30 or so slots were full. Then we'd reveal/judge how well everyone knew each other's work or info...

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 11/23/2022 9:10:00 PM

Ok I just read what you said again. Once the poem is read, you can't withdraw. I do not like that feature.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 11/23/2022 9:08:00 PM

Yes you can edit, Craig, but maybe the sponsor won't take notice of that. I remember a few times trying to withdraw from a contest when it said it was already read and I could swear it would not allow me to. .Are you able to do that?

Craig Cornish
Date: 11/23/2022 7:14:00 PM

Why can't you withdraw the poem, edit it and then reenter it? Yes, it is too late after it's been read but that's why I always say to withdraw it and reenter it.

John
Lawless

Date: 11/22/2022 5:34:00 AM

the teeeennnnnyyyyy algorithmic thingy in my brain just fled the premises...scccrrrreeeaaammming

Jeff Kyser
Date: 11/22/2022 6:22:00 AM

lol, don't be scared, John

Suzette
Richards

Date: 11/21/2022 9:58:00 PM

I did something like this about 10 years ago. Poets sent me new, unpublished poems and I would select a group of about 10 at a time for the PS members to guess. It was a hoot!!!! I ran it as an ongoing blog at the time.

Suzette Richards
Date: 11/22/2022 7:43:00 AM

Go for it :))

Jeff Kyser
Date: 11/22/2022 6:21:00 AM

Fun! There's nothing new under the sun, as Ecclesiastes says! I may try to work something up after my tryptophan OD... :-)

L Milton
Hankins

Date: 11/21/2022 9:06:00 AM

Sounds interesting and a lot of fun, Jeff. I'm not sure I understand the instructions completely, so, for folks like me, you might have to simplify. Anyway, I'm in.

Jeff Kyser
Date: 11/21/2022 3:14:00 PM

Agreed - no instructions yet - just tossing out ideas - I would try to make something very simple to follow if I did this. Thanks for being interested!

Constance
La France

Date: 11/21/2022 7:44:00 AM

Jeff, I have been told I have a style of writing that identifies me. I like my style that developed over years and will never change it and if it costs me contest wins, so be it. I think all the great poets had that certain something that stood out and that makes me happy if I have that too. It seems in my case, I can make almost any poem sad. I do write funny poems but they are out of my comfort zone and people will then not identify the poem as mine. In my own contest, I can identify some poets not so much by their words but by the way they present their work Your idea sounds like it could be a lot of fun.

Jeff Kyser
Date: 11/21/2022 3:13:00 PM

Hi Constance, thanks for the thoughts! No, i would never ever want anyone to change their style - not what I meant to convey. I had to laugh at your "make any poem sad" comment - my wife says all my poems are about death! dead birds, dead buildings, dead trees, lol.

Harry
Horsman

Date: 11/21/2022 7:40:00 AM

You have just answered part of your question. Jeff. Harry

Unseeking
Seeker

Date: 11/21/2022 7:37:00 AM

Yes, I do recognise many poets by their style but I do not consider it to be an impediment in judging. How does it matter? Or perhaps in my case I just look at the line of inquiry, that’s my focus.

Jeff Kyser
Date: 11/21/2022 3:10:00 PM

Please don't misunderstand - I don't find it an impediment. I observed that sometimes I am surprised by who wrote an entry, and other entries, it is easy to tell - that just got me to thinking it might be fun to explore!

Jenna
Logan

Date: 11/21/2022 7:16:00 AM

Jeff, you may have only joined 10 months ago, but you've certainly brought a new dimension to the site. I'd be interested, but it sounds like a lot of work for you. Those who have been here forever may have a slight advantage, but if enough newer poets enter, it would balance the scales a bit more. Nothing ventured... Many poets have a certain style of writing, or layout for their posts, so even judging blindly, their entries are easily detected. Not to be helped. Also, if an entry is from someone the sponsor follows, it will be seen, perhaps not read, but the title and author are apparent. There's no foolproof way of preventing that.

Jeff Kyser
Date: 11/21/2022 3:11:00 PM

Agreed - all of this was just to say it might be fun to try to guess each other based on style or lesser known facts or themes people write about. Just thinking out loud for now :-)

Jeff
Kyser

Date: 11/21/2022 7:01:00 AM

This is just for ideas for now! Don't start sending quatrains yet :-)

My Past Blog Posts


Write an Ode results posted Date Posted: 3/8/2023 3:27:00 PM
Observations on Odes Date Posted: 3/3/2023 7:52:00 PM
Write an Ode Contest is open Date Posted: 2/23/2023 2:57:00 PM
How Well Do You Know Your Fellow Soupers? Date Posted: 11/21/2022 6:59:00 AM
Rousing Rondine Finalized Date Posted: 11/21/2022 4:41:00 AM
Rousing Rondine Update II Date Posted: 11/6/2022 2:12:00 AM
Rousing Rondine Update Date Posted: 10/13/2022 7:37:00 AM
Rousing Rondine Poetry Contest is Open Date Posted: 10/11/2022 9:50:00 PM
Poem Count Drop? Date Posted: 9/21/2022 7:06:00 AM
Tall Tales 3 is open! Date Posted: 6/4/2022 6:51:00 AM
Fascination and Awe Poetry Finalized Date Posted: 6/2/2022 1:49:00 PM
Fascination and Awe Poetry Contest now open Date Posted: 5/15/2022 4:28:00 PM
Tall Tales 2 Results Date Posted: 5/5/2022 6:50:00 AM
Dear "Mother" Date Posted: 4/22/2022 6:40:00 AM
Terzanelle Markup Date Posted: 4/6/2022 11:06:00 AM
Limerick Question Date Posted: 3/30/2022 4:37:00 PM
Tall Tales 1 Finalized Date Posted: 3/25/2022 3:13:00 AM
Chiasmus in Poetry Date Posted: 3/16/2022 5:39:00 AM

My Recent Poems

Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
4/20/2024	Twitter Lullaby	Rhyme	Lullaby,
3/4/2024	Old Trumpnoddy	Rhyme	political,
1/19/2024	Warped Wrhymes 3	Rhyme	nursery rhyme,
1/18/2024	Warped Wrhymes 2	Rhyme	nursery rhyme,
1/18/2024	Warped Wrhymes 1	Rhyme	nursery rhyme,
1/4/2024	Florida Man 17	Limerick	humor,political,
12/24/2023	What Matters Most	Monchielle Stanza	death,hope,
12/5/2023	Homecoming	Rhyme	grief,joy,love,
11/13/2023	autumn revelry	Tanka	autumn,
11/10/2023	Engendered	Rhyme	fantasy,
10/2/2023	Writer's Block	Senryu	writing,
9/29/2023	Riddle Me This	Free verse	riddle,
9/19/2023	Missing	Senryu	absence,
8/19/2023	Castle Tableau	Verse	journey,wisdom,
8/7/2023	Beholder	Choka	creation,time,
8/5/2023	First Day	Haiku	anxiety,insect,school,
8/4/2023	Unflappable	Monoku	jesus,
7/31/2023	What Suits Her	Limerick	appreciation,humorous,
7/31/2023	No Anchor For Rancour	Rhyme	anger,freedom,jesus,
7/31/2023	The Faith of Dogs	Rhyme	faith,
7/30/2023	Ode To Emptiness	Rhyme	longing,loss,
7/29/2023	Another Mile	Tail-rhyme	appreciation,community,
7/29/2023	The Extra Mile	Verse	journey,metaphor,
7/29/2023	Florida Man-Atee	Limerick	animal,
7/28/2023	By Nature	Haiku	introspection,poetry,writ
7/8/2023	Sweet Reward	Rhyme	food,health,
7/7/2023	Fourteen	Rhyme	animal,farm,food,
5/8/2023	Serial	Rhyme	writing,
4/18/2023	Wind Change	Monorhyme	journey,writing,
4/7/2023	Epiphany	Senryu	word play,
3/27/2023	Split Heart	Rhyme	granddaughter,
3/26/2023	Binge	Blank verse	addiction,
3/26/2023	Outer Darkness	Haiku	dark,horror,
3/25/2023	Cast It Wide	Tail-rhyme	adventure,
3/25/2023	Cross-Training	Rhyme	granddaughter,
3/23/2023	Elemental	Other	writing,
3/22/2023	Black Narcissus Tercet Rima	Other	writing,
3/22/2023	The Company You Keep	Quatrain	granddaughter,sleep,
3/21/2023	Someone To Watch Over	Monorhyme	granddaughter,
3/18/2023	Row To Riches	Monorhyme	fun,health,
3/15/2023	Peaches and Poems	Monorhyme	fruit,seasons,writing,
3/12/2023	There's No Reason	Other	angst,time,
3/12/2023	Pitty-Pat, Dribble Drat	Rhyme	health,silly,
3/11/2023	Hare Raising	Rhyme	animal,cute,food,sad,
3/11/2023	Pun Fun	Rhyme	humorous,silly,
3/11/2023	An Appetite For Books Nursery Rhyme	Rhyme	books,nursery rhyme,
3/9/2023	Held In Suspense	Monorhyme	weather,
3/9/2023	International Womens Day	Rhyme	confusion,
3/8/2023	Promise	Other	forgiveness,
3/8/2023	Weightless	Other	thanks,
3/7/2023	Prissy Vegan	Rhyme	silly,
3/7/2023	Florida Man 16	Limerick	humorous,
3/6/2023	Joyful Noise	Other	god,song,
3/5/2023	Shrinking Verse	Other	appreciation,writing,
3/5/2023	But I'Ll Refrain	Other	humorous,
3/4/2023	Hat Trick	Quatrain	writing,
3/4/2023	Shoe Laces	Other	writing,
3/4/2023	No Gentle Row	Other	addiction,
3/4/2023	Fruition	Other	faith,weather,
3/4/2023	Breathing	Blank verse	farewell,journey,
3/4/2023	Patience, Grasshopper	Couplet	fun,games,
3/4/2023	Hanging Out My Shingle	Monorhyme	nonsense,silly,
3/3/2023	Fourth Watch	Sonnet	faith,fear,
3/2/2023	Other-Worldly	Couplet	voyage,
3/2/2023	Beneath the Rainbow	Monoku	remember,
3/2/2023	A Merry Chase	Other	fairy,rain,
3/2/2023	7-11	Couplet	age,change,food,
3/2/2023	Breathe	Verse	peace,
3/1/2023	A League of His Own	Rhyme	encouraging,health,
2/28/2023	Unserene Scene	Other	writing,
2/28/2023	Septolet	Other	writing,
2/28/2023	Septanelle	Other	appreciation,writing,
2/28/2023	Incremental	Other	work,writing,
2/28/2023	Saxon Six	Other	writing,
2/27/2023	On a Roll	Rhyme	dog,
2/26/2023	Lightly Row	Crystalline	heartbroken,
2/26/2023	Owlspeak	Couplet	bird,words,
2/26/2023	Dream Delish, Side of Fish - Nursery Rhyme	Rhyme	dream,fish,food,nursery r
2/26/2023	Courage, Porridge Portage Shortage	Haiku	nursery rhyme,
2/26/2023	Warm Wishes - Ah	Haiku	weather,wind,winter,
2/24/2023	Who, Indeed	Rhyme	bird,
2/24/2023	Mixed Signals	Couplet	humorous,identity,
2/24/2023	Sour Note	Rhyme	nonsense,silly,
2/24/2023	Plumping Iron	Quatrain	angst,insect,
2/24/2023	Cyclops Psyops	Other	anger,
2/24/2023	Choppy Seas and Wobbly Knees	Other	sea,storm,
2/24/2023	Working Out the Tricky Bits	Other	appreciation,writing,
2/24/2023	A Proverb and a Byword	Free verse	blessing,
2/24/2023	In the Presence of the Innocent	Free verse	culture,
2/23/2023	Stealth Core	Quatrain	health,technology,
2/23/2023	Cul De Sac	Haiku	journey,
2/23/2023	Glass Garden Room	Rhyme	writing,
2/22/2023	Sarah Palin	Clerihew	political,
2/22/2023	Miss Greta G	Rhyme Royal	silly,
2/22/2023	All Things New	Rhyme	creation,nature,
2/22/2023	Clean Your Fridge	Rhyme	muse,writing,
2/22/2023	Poor, Poor Freddie	Monorhyme	animal,nursery rhyme,
2/22/2023	Jonesing For An Aviron	Quatrain	appreciation,health,
2/21/2023	Milking It	Rhyme	nonsense,silly,
2/21/2023	Da Da Dum	Limerick	sound,

My Photos

ps_baby_goat.jpg

Fav Poems

PoemTitle	Form	Categories
Tenement Tombs	Free verse	poverty,
Pickings	Free verse	poetry,
God Rises From That Distant Hill	Rhyme	beauty,god,mountains,natu
Numbers	Free verse	poetry,
Carrying Onward	Free verse	poetry,
Feeling It	Free verse	poetry,
Lunar Incantation	Free verse	longing,moon,
Our Lady of Guadalupe	Free verse	addiction,history,journey
Nightmare In Abstract	Rhyme	fantasy,sleep,
The Passion	Free verse	poetry,
Seventh Son and An English Falcon Knight	Verse	fantasy,
Beginning of Everything	Free verse	adventure,future,grief,he
Almost Never Was	Rhyme	appreciation,emotions,mir
Blood Maps In Blue	Free verse	poetry,
The Wah Oo Song	Lyric	bird,crazy,me,music,nonse
As Time Slips By	Terza Rima	age,memory,nostalgia,
Love Voodoo	Lyric	angst,lost love,love,
Liturgy of the Wind	Free verse	absence,wind,
Mother No More	Terzanelle	death,life,mother,relatio
1970 To 1979	Rhyme	age,history,

Fav Poets

Poet	Country
John Read	United Kingdom	Read
L Milton Hankins	United States	Read
Charlotte Puddifoot	United Kingdom	Read
Gershon Wolf	United States	Read
Paula Goldsmith	United States	Read
Thompson Emate	Nigeria	Read
Bill Baker	United States	Read
Kim Rodrigues	United States	Read
Silent One	United Kingdom	Read
Bj Legros Kelley	United States	Read
Heidi Sands	United States	Read
Dill Dennison	United States	Read
Robert Gorelick	United States	Read
William Coyne	United States	Read
Harry Horsman	Australia	Read
Eric Ashford	United States	Read
Kenneth Cheney	United States	Read
Marco Chies	Brazil	Read
Gary Radice	United Kingdom	Read
Indiana Shaw	United Kingdom	Read
Panagiota Romios	United States	Read
Jan Allison	Isle Of Man	Read
Jenna Logan	United States	Read
Melani Udaeta	United States	Read
Caren Krutsinger	United States	Read
Meghan Hutchings	United States	Read
Ann Foster	United States	Read
Tania Kitchin	United States	Read
Jessica Amanda Salmonson	United States	Read
Alan Jeeves	United Kingdom	Read
Lee Etheridge	United States	Read
Terry Flood	United Kingdom	Read
Connie Marcum Wong	United States	Read
Timothy Ray	United States	Read
Suzanne Delaney	United States	Read
Andy Chunn	United States	Read
John A'Hern	Australia	Read
Edna Kingsley	United States	Read
Paul Willason	Australia	Read
Terry Ireland	United Kingdom	Read
James Watkin	Australia	Read
Becky Forbes	United States	Read
Brian Densham	Canada	Read
Jeff Connelly	Antarctica	Read