Poetry Contest

Chatterbox: Pudding's Place

Poetry Contest

Poetry Contest

Well, we haven't had one of these in a while, have we? Time for a new one, I say! Welcome, resident poets!

The rules are pretty simple. I am the first judge. I will give you a theme, and you must write a poem relating to the theme. Be creative with your interpretations! I will then judge the entries by a set date, and the winner will then be the next judge, and set the next theme. And so on, and so forth. 

The first theme will be... *dramatic drumroll*

Stars! Whether you chose to write about the kind of stars you wish on, or the kind that take the stage, I will be eagerly awaiting your sparkly, shiny, beautiful poems. Have them in by... Saturday, March 18. Two weeks. Sound fair? 

I hope to see your poems soon!

~Booksy <3 

submitted by Booksy Owly
(March 4, 2017 - 8:58 pm)

back to the Pudding's Place
submitted by @Luna-Starr, judging
(December 30, 2023 - 9:15 am)

ah, I forgot that I'd be visiting family today when I picked the judge date! currently typing this on an email draft on my phone in a dark car ride home... fingers crossed that this all goes smoothly.

this judging was fairly tricky, but I'd call it a fortunate issue to face! I remember when the deadlines would have to be suspended just to scrape in three entries. your enthusiasm is incredible and I hope you all continue entering!
now for the...
honorable mentions
rainbow, your main "hook" of repetition is incredibly effective in creating building anxiety! the lack of a very detailed "storyline" creates a very eerie tone; every detail is a reminder of an inescapable state.
Luna (nice name, by the way! ;)), you may have a more loose connection to the prompt, but I'll welcome all kinds of entries! your poem is so evocative and quietly moving. the more descriptive imagery juxtaposed with simple one-word lines paints such a lush yet desolate scene. the increasing sense of despair as the story progresses is masterful! 
moon wolf, the rhyme scheme is so impressive! I am forever in awe of y'all who can seamlessly work with rhymes. your take on chains as a theme is unique and tragic; all of the details in the first half serve as an emotional gut-punch for that second half.
hawkstar, this poem sort of reminds me of "hello my old heart" by the Oh Hellos- the idea of staying safe by avoiding affection. rather than wrapping everything up all nice and perfect, this ending feels truthful and fitting of the story you've created. 
wildwolf, this poem is so dreamy! playing around with format is always fun, and your italicized sections add so much to the mood! the remembrance of small yet previous details rather than a sharp perception of time is so reminiscent of childhood bliss. 
avarastar, your first few lines make such an impression! I really like the symbol of wings/birds being contrasted with chains. everything about this poem feels intentional and wistful; you allow the mood to carry the story, and it works wonders.
third place- Celineburningbright (2nd entry)! man, I am such a fan of parallel structure, and of writings exploring nostalgia and loss. I love how your stanzas are clear enough to paint a picture, but unspecific enough for the reader to grasp and project their own emotions upon it. and that tone shift is brilliant! your word choice is so careful and crafts an inquisitive yet melancholy tone.
second place- scribbler! this poem feels so bare and honest, and the effect of the list of anxieties and lack of grammar conventions is deeply relatable without losing its individuality. the second to last stanza sticks out to me especially. your tone is very mature, and I'm impressed with your obvious understanding of how to tug at heartstrings.
first place- woodwind! I'm incredibly glad that someone chose Prometheus as a subject for this prompt; here, you flaunt such immense mystery and elegance. I can feel such intentionality behind every word, every indent, every image. the flashes between somewhat conflicting settings and images bring a moody haze to the piece, making the final line seem tragically fitting- not through a clear line of reasoning, but rather by the opposite. I want to scrutinize everything about this. I feel like I could read it a hundred times and still have more revelations in store.
well done to every one of you! I'm so happy to see such talent in this thread!!
submitted by Luna-Starr, age they/he, Existential Ponderment
(December 30, 2023 - 9:32 pm)

Congrats @woodwind! And ty for ur kind comments, @luna-starr!

submitted by Moon Wolf , age lunaryears, A Celestial Sky
(December 31, 2023 - 12:25 pm)

Oop, forgot the prompt when I wrote it (sorry about that), but congratulations to everyone! 

submitted by Luna, age the Stars
(December 31, 2023 - 1:44 pm)

Congrats woodwind! Your poem was awesome! Um...not to be rude or anything but I think I posted a poem too...

submitted by WildWolf
(December 31, 2023 - 7:29 pm)

Yeah, they did do yours! I think they just forgot to make your name bold- your mention is underneath mine!

submitted by @Wildwolf, It's Hawkstar
(December 31, 2023 - 8:57 pm)

Oh my gosh why do I do this kind of thing so often *slaps forehead* but thank you for your kind feedback Luna Starr!!

submitted by WildWolf
(December 31, 2023 - 10:14 pm)
submitted by @woodwind, you won!
(December 31, 2023 - 9:36 am)

whoa, no way! :D I wasn't expecting that. Thanks for judging, Luna-Starr, and everyone's poems were great! The next prompt is 'abyss,' and I'll be judging on the 16th.

submitted by Woodwind, age he/they, echo chamber of solitude
(December 31, 2023 - 2:19 pm)

Ooooo nice prompt

Congrats by the way! 

submitted by Hawkstar, age Dynamite, My thoughts in Korea
(December 31, 2023 - 3:10 pm)

Hello! Here's my poem. I decided to take a screenshot, just becuase sometimes the line breaks don't work. 

 

 

IMG_5363.jpeg
submitted by WildWolf
(December 31, 2023 - 10:57 pm)

I love this!! How you can read it as the full thing, or just the second column/bolded lines, or even just the first column!! It's a really powerful poem, too. 

submitted by Rainbow, Holding up the sky
(January 2, 2024 - 9:03 pm)

-abyss

i was high in the sky

up on cloud nine

in the blue were wild things fly

and love was all mine

life was a rainbow of color

joy was all around

singing happily with hoot and holler

floating nowhere near the ground

but then across the white cloud

a storm rolled in

dark and loud

it rumbled making a roaring din

lightning struck and cracked hearts

the darkness below cried tears of pain

shooting down like darts

icy, freezing cold rain

and the clouds beneath our feet broke

and we fell into mist

our clothes and hair were soaked

in those tears, and i insist

that things didn’t have to go this way

we could’ve made up and been fine

another day

instead of falling down the beanstalk vine

going straight past the ground

you land but i keep falling

life no longer has any sound

the only thing i hear calling 

is the sound of darkness as i descend

twisting and turning down

i can’t pretend

that i won’t drown

in those freezing tears

as i plummet to the bottom

of my fears

The center of all problem

my body breaks as it hits the floor

here i lie

there is no door

my breath falls out with a sigh

the walls close

and the shadow beasts

rose

all life down here has ceased

at the very lowest point

of the pit of despair

pain sears every joint

fire from lightning burns my hair

barely lighting the darkness

of this abyss

submitted by Hawkstar
(January 1, 2024 - 11:44 am)

I love the rhyming and the descriptions :)

submitted by Moon Wolf , age lunaryears, A Celestial Sky
(January 2, 2024 - 3:06 pm)

Falling:

I’m falling

Deep down

Spiralling

Down here

Deep in the darkness

This inky abyss

I’m begging for someone 

To pull me out

Into the light

Out of this pit

Someone to listen
To hear my cries

Give me hope

When it seems to die

But

I’m all 

Alone

It’s just a fleeting

Dream of mine

That despite this darkness

And my despair-filled tears

There is some light

To be found

Down here

This hope

This dream

Gives me solace

That even when I’m 

Falling deep down

Alone with my thoughts 

And fears and prayers

That someone else is feeling 

Just like 

me.


submitted by Luna, age the Stars
(January 1, 2024 - 1:27 pm)
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