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Speaks Volumes

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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

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Confused.

Blog Posted by Speaks Volumes: 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??

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