Hi, fellow croutons,
Well, another rich harvest of quality works from your good selves, there were one or two that completely missed the brief, and anyway, after some fairly tough judging I have whittled it down by a few and what a fine bunch they are.
First place- Carrie Richards
The top half dozen poems all put up a good fight for first place, but this poem of Carrie's , with it's wistfulness and lovely text soaked through me like morning dew workin its way up your leg from the bottom of your jeans. I can imagine Richard Burton or Alan Rickman reading this aloud and doing it proud. It really struck a chord. Congratulations, Carrie, well done.
2nd place- Dear Heart aka Broken Wings
Delightful in its childlike simplicity, this new age style communion with nature was a standout for me, and I liked the repetition that gave it a chant-like feel. Simple can be good, and this was hugely effective. Congrats, Constance.
Joint 2nd place- Kim Rodrigues
Kim's entry transported me back to my first day at my Grammar school, in its forbidding library, I can totally relate to the fourth stanza, the teachers with 'lips gripped tight in thought, but with a proper hello', and 'the smiling eyes of children virtually untouched by experience'. Very perceptive, and well put across. Well done, Kim.
Joint 2nd place- Jean Murray
Short, sweet, bouncy but with a little spice , 'my mouth hot in the sun', a little belter from Jean, I guessed who it probably was and I was right. Congrats, Jean.
3rd place- Maureen McGreavy
Some great sights, sounds and smells in this one from Maureen, love the puppy breath, and a slightly saucy ending. Good fun. Well done, Maureen.
Joint 3rd- Kai Michael Neumann
Interesting piece, I'm unsure whether Kai has synaesthesia, but a fascinating choice of sensory thoughts- I can concur on the parachuting as I've done that myself, and chewing a Steiff bear's ear button is unique. An interesting insight on an unusual condition, well done Kai.
Joint 3rd- Pixie dust
If you can't relate to this perspective from Pixie, then you're not a poet. I love 'the pulse of a wing upon a Blue heron' especially, and as she says, we review all we experience and put it to pen. great stuff, well done, Pixie.
Joint 3rd- Jan Allison
A ballsy, no nonsense piece from Jan from the outset- ' Childbirth isn't called labour for nothing' sets the tone from the off, and indeed, forget the cutesy stuff, we're talking late nights, sloppy food and poo. Sloppy poo. A strong reminiscence but speaking as a parent, permanently ingrained. Well done, Jan.
Joint 3rd- Andrea Dietrich
Another lovely schooltime reminiscence from Andrea, and I can relate to her teacher's dulcet tones- I remember thinking that I could listen to Miss Leggit read 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' on permanent loop, such was the chocolate fudge quality of her voice. And that playground crush, oh yes.... Well done, Andrea.
4th place- Anisha Dutta
This is a lovely piece, the phrase 'reciting a sweet rhyme, giving the errand of affection to Mom and child to bind' particulary clever. And the last verse is a frisson of charged passion, what a great ending. Congrats, Anisha.
Joint 4th- Cindi Rockwell
This is a lovely homage to a beautiful place and time, and to be blessed with such memories is a gift indeed. And yes, I think we would all love to go back there, Cindi. Well done.
Joint 4th- Curtis Moorman
I wasn't hungry until I read this one, but a vividly recalled memory of a simple family meal and tradition that resonated with me, and from Curtis' point of view is to be treasured. Congrats.
Joint 4th- Janice Canerdy
The first appearance of popcorn in the contest but not the last, Janice brings memories of Christmas with her edible decorations. Hopefully with no mice infestations.
Joint 4th- LIne Gauthier
A little piece, big on sensory overload and you're right, Line, you can't be windchimes or cats. Well done.
Joint 4th- Malik Nottage
A sensuous piece from Malik, Violins, love, chocolate- how can you possibly go wrong? A warm, loving piece, much enjoyed, well done.
Joint 4th- Laura Loo
A lovely write, gentle and full of nice things. The smell of one's daughter's hair- yes, I can see that, and grass under one's feet is much underrated. Nicely done, Laura.
Joint 4th- Susan Gentry
Living as far from the sea in any direction in the UK as I do, Susan, I can wholeheartedly relate to this piece, that first scent of sea air before it is even in view, and a saltiness from crashing waves not unwelcome. I want to go paddling. Now.
5th place- Reason A.Poteet
There is no easy way of saying this, but I fear Reason is a popcorn addict. All of his favourite sense related things are popcorn related. But then again, I'm the same with beer.
Joint 5th- Caren Krutsinger
A cornucopia of sensory delights from Caren, and I particularly like 'washing off my sadness and disappointment' in a sudsy bath. A big 'Hell, Yeah!' from the ladies, no doubt. Well done, Caren.
Joint 5th- Danielle Wayman
A charged, sensuous piece from Danielle, full of longing and want, all senses primed and aimed at the target of her desires. Hot stuff.
Joint 5th- DM Babbit
Another dose of hot lurve, tightly packed into a few short lines, well executed. Well done, DM.
Joint 5th- Jacob Jones
....and the odes to hot loved ones come in thick and fast now, with a fiery piece from Jacob. I do hope you give this poem to the recipient of your affections, since that last verse is lovely and worthy. Well done.
Joint 5th- gregory R. Barden
....steaming up the windows further comes Gregory with a passionate piece, on a voyage of sensate discovery. Beautifully put together, too.
Joint 5th- Francesca Pappadogianis
Another poem about Synesthaesia, and very informative in a light-hearted fashion. A tricky condition to explain, but Fransesca pulls it off beautifully. Well done.
6th place- Beata Agustin
A lovely piece praising the Lord for all he gives us and sadly take for granted until something horrible deprives us of a sense temporarily or permanently, and I do give thanks every day for that which I retain. A joyous write from Beata and worth a read.
Joint 6th- Sandra Haight
An unusual take on the theme, and all the more welcome for it, Sandra takes us back to the womb for her sensory journey. I used to sing to my unborn daughter all the time. her mother got a bit fed up with it though.... A lovely piece, Sandra, well done x
Joint 6th- Michael Robinson
I did mention I didn't want a list of favourite things from 'the sound of music', but I'll let Michael off for being a bit tongue in cheek. A list of simple pleasures that I couldn't argue with, and a lovely sense of place.
7th place- Subimal Sinha-Roy
Subimal takes us on a delightful journey, both geographical and spiritual, to recover that which he thought he had lost, and I believe we all have been there at some point, needing our own slice of Himalaya to regain our sanity and our senses. Nice write, well done.
Joint 7th- Connie marcum Wong
Another elemental communion, this time from the midst of a welcome storm, from Connie. And after what her Islands have been through recently, she knows of what she writes. And calm reigns, amidst the refreshed flowers. Lovely.
8th place- Sara Kendrick
Sara wasn't sure what I wanted, and followed her own briefing hoping we were in sync. Not quite, but this is a lovely write, another warm slice of home, and food, and love, and memory, so I include it all the same as it is worthy of a read.
******* So that concludes my contest, many thanks to everyone for having a go. There will be a dreaded one, nine and sixteen coming up shortly. Love 'n hugs, Viv x ****************************