Speaks Volumes Biography

I am an average Aussie. Am blessed to have been born here. Now in my 70's and haven't found a place that I would rather be than Australia. We have our faults but its a good place. In the 54th year of marriage to the same bloke. We raised 3 terrific individuals and have 3 equally great grandkids. I have no achievements worth mentioning, worked from the time I was 15 to til I was 63. I was born later in my parent's life. They were age pensioners by the time I was 15. I auditioned and was accepted into a prestigious acting and drama institution to further my schooling, but financially it wasn't mentioned that I would do anything other than leave school when I was 15 and get a job, which I did. As a teenager I always loved committing my feelings to paper. If it didn't rhyme to me it wasn't poetry. I know this isn't the case in the world of literature and poetry but its just the way I see it. Healthwise we have hit a low spot in our lives and although I have enjoyed being a part of this site as it allows expression of thought to be posted without harsh critique from those more talented. I now find it too time consuming to be an active member. I love writing and reading others work, but its impossible to write read and comment as I cant afford the time. I write when I can (usually late at night, instead of sleeping), and I do read many poems of others as I find them delightful. I dont have much time for replying to comments or commenting on all the wonderful poems I read. I do ask a favour : Consider this a THANK YOU if you have commented on my work, its never expected. Please if I have been moved to spend time commenting on your poem, dont feel you have to compliment one of mine in return. I would love to comment on all your wonderful poems, but time just doesn't allow. If my guilt gets much worse I will just cancel all commenting on my poems which  seems such an anti social thing to do.   Best wishes to all.  SV

Confused.

Blog Posted by Speaks Volumes: 4/6/2024 11:04:00 PM

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Christian Avatar
April 15, 2024 at 10:45 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
Volumes Avatar
April 15, 2024 at 11:25 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.
Richards Avatar
April 12, 2024 at 6:27 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 :)
Volumes Avatar
April 12, 2024 at 6:53 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.
Parker Avatar
April 9, 2024 at 10:09 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...
Volumes Avatar
May 15, 2024 at 4:53 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.
Volumes Avatar
April 12, 2024 at 6:57 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.
La France Avatar
April 10, 2024 at 2:24 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 ?????
Richards Avatar
April 7, 2024 at 11:38 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
Dietrich Avatar
April 11, 2024 at 1:10 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.
Volumes Avatar
April 8, 2024 at 6:31 PM
It's a miss for me too !
Richards Avatar
April 8, 2024 at 4:06 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.
Volumes Avatar
April 8, 2024 at 1:14 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.
La France Avatar
April 7, 2024 at 8:48 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
Volumes Avatar
April 7, 2024 at 9:33 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.
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
April 7, 2024 at 8:40 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.
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
April 9, 2024 at 7:06 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
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
April 7, 2024 at 9:50 AM
I too stopped Minichu as bias seems to trend
Volumes Avatar
April 7, 2024 at 9:43 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.
Volumes Avatar
April 7, 2024 at 9:41 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.
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
April 7, 2024 at 9:19 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??

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