Hi folks,
Forgive my absence, life got in the way, backwards and forwards to hospital and not out of the woods yet, so poetry had to take a back seat. Still breathing and farting, so where there's life (and smell) there's hope :)
Anyway, on to the contest- Thanks to all who participated, sadly the entries got whittled down due to some apparently not reading the rules at all and entering random stuff, and some who didn't follow the one nine sixteen criteria. There are some typos I've let through, only because I hadn't read any of the entries before judging and otherwise would have sent the writer a cautionary mail and give them chance to rectify it.
1st place- Larry Bradfield
This floated my boat instantly, I liked the setting, and the line 'foghorns warned of danger in the bay' is a neat touch in a tale of double duplicity. Congratulations, Larry.
Joint 2nd- Nina Parmenter
I do like this, it flows beautifully- who would have thought one could write about murder so daintily? Well done, Nina.
Joint 2nd- Sandra Haight
Another beautifully writ piece with a lovely flow, and a fine bombshell to polish it off. Congrats, Sandra.
3rd- Emile Pinet
A lovely kiss and make up write from Emile, heartwarming stuff. Well done.
Joint 3rd- Andrea Dietrich
A clever take on the theme from Andrea, more double crossing and skullduggery. Hopefully not autobiographical, although the thought of Andrea in a black leather catsuit making her way over the roof of the Louvre in the moonlight is quite appealing :). Well done, Andrea x
Joint 3rd- Elaine George
There's a lot of trysting going on up these staircases, that's for sure, and Elaine has come up with a fine piece- I love the ending, open to question: did he convince her? Did he leave? Good write, well done.
Joint 3rd- Jan Allison
From the photo I saw after finalizing, I thought this was about a cross dresser, but no, just a rampaging psycopath. Jan goes deeply dark on this one. Shudder. back to poop stuff, please :)
Joint 3rd- Ralph Sergei
Interesting take on the themes from Ralph, and I'm sure that this situation is not uncommon and must be a heart wrenching decision for the man. Well done, Ralph.
4th place- Reason A.Poteet
A fine tale of rescue and redemption from Reason, a worthy piece, well done.
Joint 4th- Kim Rodrigues
A tale worthy of Anne Rice, and a surprise to see it's a Kim confection. Dark and deliciously written, Kim, well done.
Joint 4th- Carrie Richards.
This is lovely- hugely atmospheric, a meeting beautifully described. Congrats, Carrie!
Joint 4th- Line Gauthier
A lovely tale of nuptials , tempered with the lines 'sometimes life hangs but by a thread, and second chances aren't always guaranteed'. How very true.
Joint 4th- John Lawless
A gentle piece from John, and I love the line describing the church spires, ' long marble fingers stretching towards their Gods', very clever. Nicely done, John.
5th place- Broken Wings- Dear heart
Not down into, but straight up to, the heart of darkness from BW ( or is it BWDH?), as love and fear and death embrace. Fine write, Constance x
Joint 5th- Laura Loo
Awww, here's a tale of separation, reuniting and lovey stuff guaranteed to make you go gooey. And how could anyone not love a woman called Madeleine? Lovely write, Laura x
Joint 5th- Haley Fisher
Another tale of a fresh start from Haley, but, boy, is the ex in for a shock when he finds out...... well done, Haley.
Joint 5th- Victor Buhagiar
...and boy, wait until the woman in Victor's tale finds out.... what a cad. More shadiness from Victor, well done.
6th place- Susan Gentry
Susan rocks into view with her take on the theme, and I don't blame his wife at all... made me smile, too. Well done, Susan x
Joint 6th place- Subimal Sinha-Roy
Ooooh, Subimal paints the machinations of a nasty piece of work in another tale of dark double dealings. A fine take on the theme, Subimal, well done.
7th place- Beata Agustin
Another tale of redemption, this time miraculous, from Beata, a bright, joyful, upbeat piece, well done.
Joint 7th place- Tom Cunningham
I am surprised, I hadn't got this one pegged as a Tom write, thought it would be someone stateside, and the only free verse entry to make it through. Tales of war, heroism and a song coming full circle. Nice piece, well done, Tom.
Thanks, everyone for entering, I may run another in this format, but if anyone wishes to suggest any tweaks to the format before I set one up, I am open to ideas.
Thanks, love 'n hugs, Viv x