Poetry contests

[interracial_sex]

Are they open to all poets? I mean are professionally published poets ineligible to participate?

 

[Guest]

Are they open to all poets? I mean are professionally published poets ineligible to participate?

What is a professional poet anyhow? I have work published. Are you famous?
Do "professionally" published poets show their faces on swingers sites? I'm just curious.

To answer your question. Um, yes.

 

[Guest]

I forgot. Welcome to Lit. Read.

 

[interracial_sex]

Perhaps the way you interpreted my question suggested that my question was condascending or infered I was somehow above the poets here because I'm published. One can never tell the inflection of a post on a forum board which is often the reason for so many flame wars. I can assure you I meant nothing of the sort and, because I felt a little stung by what I perceived as a dereisive reply, I felt the need to clarify.

A person, famous, semi-famous or unknown posts his face on a swinger's site if he so chooses and cares little what people think. If he doesn't try to hide who he is and presents himself, for better or worse, in his entirety.

 

[Guest]

Perhaps the way you interpreted my question suggested that my question was condascending or infered I was somehow above the poets here because I'm published. One can never tell the inflection of a post on a forum board which is often the reason for so many flame wars. I can assure you I meant nothing of the sort and, because I felt a little stung by what I perceived as a dereisive reply, I felt the need to clarify.

A person, famous, semi-famous or unknown posts his face on a swinger's site if he so chooses and cares little what people think. If he doesn't try to hide who is and presents himself, for better or worse, in his entirety.

It must be the PMS. I'm more honest then. I don't like your comment. I don't like a lot of the things you've written in the very short amount of time you've been on Lit. I don't have to. I may not have commented elsewhere but this thread really bothered me.

One more thing: there are a lot of published poets here, and I haven't heard many say "professional."

 

[interracial_sex]

My comment only bothered you because of the mistaken way in which you interpreted it. I explained myself once as apologetically as I'm going to. I meant no offense and said as much. Nor am I particularly concerned if you "like" what I've written in my posts to this point. Basically my comments have been relegated to one thread in the story idea section, with sparse few others in various places. Therefore, I'm not sure as to what you could possibly be refering to, specifically, though it doesn't really matter. I post my opinions and post them honestly, for better or worse. Writing, for me, must be honest whether it's flattering or not. That being said I never intentionally try to upset anyone or speak to them in a derisive way. Unless of course I am spoken to that way first.

 

[duckiesmut]

Are they open to all poets? I mean are professionally published poets ineligible to participate?

From what I understand, and that isn't much this early in the morning, anyone is eligible to participate in the poetry contests, unless they are directly involved with running it (with the caveat, of course, that you wear the silly party hat).

Kidding about the party hat.

Welcome to lit.

 

[annaswirls]

Are they open to all poets? I mean are professionally published poets ineligible to participate?

We welcome any submissions of poetry. I hope to see yours! There will also be an exhibition thread in which poets may enter poems without competing for the prizes.

 

[WickedEve]

Are they open to all poets? I mean are professionally published poets ineligible to participate?

I hope you'll continue to post and participate.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with your question, which anna has already answered perfectly.

 

[Guest]

No, there's nothing wrong with the question.

Different strokes for different folks. I let something else bother me and now that I thought about it, I realize I wasn't very nice. I can apologize when I'm wrong. Me is sorry. Someone needs to put duct tape over my mouth when I PMS and keep me away from the keyboard.

Write on!

 

[interracial_sex]

Apology readily accepted and I too, was wrong in retrospect. While I apologized for the incorrect wording (and it was a bad choice of words), I still came across as abrasive. Possibly because I had only posted only a few times and became defensive as it seemed I was attacked on every one. So again, I too apologize, Saldne.

And I thank everyone else for the comments and answering my question. I only asked because every site is different and some contests prohibit people who have been fortunate enough to see their work published (by whatever vehicle, be it book, newspaper or whatever).

 

[My Erotic Trail]

What is a professional poet anyhow? I have work published. Are you famous?
Do "professionally" published poets show their faces on swingers sites? I'm just curious.

To answer your question. Um, yes.

Yes, all poets, published and un-published alike are welcome to enter the contest. I ressurected the poetry contest chit chat thread where most of the rules and guidleines were hashed out and displayed for questions and general chit chat on this topic. Anna has done a wonderful job setting this up and the rules explain the guidelines for entering.

 

[Guest]

Apology readily accepted and I too, was wrong in retrospect. While I apologized for the incorrect wording (and it was a bad choice of words), I still came across as abrasive. Possibly because I had only posted only a few times and became defensive as it seemed I was attacked on every one. So again, I too apologize, Saldne.

And I thank everyone else for the comments and answering my question. I only asked because every site is different and some contests prohibit people who have been fortunate enough to see their work published (by whatever vehicle, be it book, newspaper or whatever).

Whatever you do, don't ever post what you wrote in the story thread on the General Board as suggested. You'll be insulted for days because you're a newbie. The poetry forum is usually very nice. We all have our differences but here, there aren't many who hold grudges.

I'm glad you've come back and no one scared you off so far. I saw one of your poems in the link in your sig line. Mind sharing another?

 

[interracial_sex]

I don't scare easily (if at all) and my intuition told me not to be bated into posting my story idea elsewhere (though I think it's silly and asanine for newbies to be ridiculed-how else do they ingrain themselves into the fabric of an online community?). Anyway, with 1,681 poems to choose from I sometimes struggle to know what to share. I usually choose, if I submit my work at all, more personal writings. So here is an offering I hope you'll enjoy:

Alcohol's Sea

in the company of strangers, alone in this world
remembrances of love still fetally curled
a warm, open smile, a practiced disguise
on treacherous footing this surface of lies

a brilliant facade that no one sees through
an illusion of living that's looking at you
a handshake on faith, a grandiose charm
the betrayal of self, denying the harm

ignoring the aloneness that festers inside
a cure for the suffering is only implied
tempted and offered, the promise of peace
the seal of the bottle, the demons release

allure of the light that vexes the eyes
in a soul of concern all empathy dies
the taste of the poison, the touch of the fire
confused by the words of such an eloquent liar

next morning remorse, the summation of pain
an empty bottle beside to prove you're insane
yesterday and tomorrow, addictions at bay
wishful intentions are all swept away

denial of truth, the disease rages on
wake up one morning and sobriety's gone
faceless eyes you regarded as friends
they furnish the cup for the drowning of sins

lost chances on the road that lead to a grave
refusal of a life impossible to save
paying the consequence of addiction and need
with one swath of the bottle resistance will bleed

agony of regret, the placement of blame
squared on my shoulders, speaking my name
anguish of a love that's wasted on me
pulling me under in Alcohol's sea.

 

[WickedEve]

No, there's nothing wrong with the question.

Different strokes for different folks. I let something else bother me and now that I thought about it, I realize I wasn't very nice. I can apologize when I'm wrong. Me is sorry. Someone needs to put duct tape over my mouth when I PMS and keep me away from the keyboard.

Write on!

Go ahead and use the PMS defense. Just don't use it next week. Next week, it's all mine.

 

[Guest]

Alcohol's Sea

in the company of strangers, alone in this world
remembrances of love still fetally curled
a warm, open smile, a practiced disguise
on treacherous footing this surface of lies

a brilliant facade that no one sees through
an illusion of living that's looking at you
a handshake on faith, a grandiose charm
the betrayal of self, denying the harm

ignoring the aloneness that festers inside
a cure for the suffering is only implied
tempted and offered, the promise of peace
the seal of the bottle, the demons release

allure of the light that vexes the eyes
in a soul of concern all empathy dies
the taste of the poison, the touch of the fire
confused by the words of such an eloquent liar

next morning remorse, the summation of pain
an empty bottle beside to prove you're insane
yesterday and tomorrow, addictions at bay
wishful intentions are all swept away

denial of truth, the disease rages on
wake up one morning and sobriety's gone
faceless eyes you regarded as friends
they furnish the cup for the drowning of sins

lost chances on the road that lead to a grave
refusal of a life impossible to save
paying the consequence of addiction and need
with one swath of the bottle resistance will bleed

agony of regret, the placement of blame
squared on my shoulders, speaking my name
anguish of a love that's wasted on me
pulling me under in Alcohol's sea.

Excellent title and outstanding poem! It's amazing how the meter isn't consistent throughout and line by line, the poem flows along wonderfully smooth. Thanks so much for sharing! Do you plan on submitting any of your work to Lit so we can read and comment on? Also, are there any other styles of poetry you write or have written? Have you tried any free verse by any chance?

Go ahead and use the PMS defense. Just don't use it next week. Next week, it's all mine.

No, next week I'll use my sig line defense.

 

[interracial_sex]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. I'm not sure how much I'll be contributing as I'm usually not a proponent of critiquing. It always seems to degenerate into egotism, hurt feelings and arguing. That's the very nature of criticism though, as little of it is "constructive." And I would guess that of the 1,682 poems I have written, that 98% of them are in the style of the one I posted. I do dabble in different rhyme schemes and some free verse but everyone has their signature style and this is mine.

 

[Guest]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. I'm not sure how much I'll be contributing as I'm usually not a proponent of critiquing. It always seems to degenerate into egotism, hurt feelings and arguing. That's the very nature of criticism though, as little of it is "constructive." And I would guess that of the 1,682 poems I have written, that 98% of them are in the style of the one I posted. I do dabble in different rhyme schemes and some free verse but everyone has their signature style and this is mine.

That's cool. I totally understand. Maybe in the near future when you're more comfortable you could share more. Enjoy your stay.

 

[interracial_sex]

Thanks again for the encouragement. And it isn't a matter of my being comfortable, I'm one of the most secure people around and not just in terms of my writing. It's just a a rare bit of wisdom I've gained along the way not to participate in such things.

 

[ewopper]

What is a professional poet anyhow? I have work published. Are you famous?
Do "professionally" published poets show their faces on swingers sites? I'm just curious.

To answer your question. Um, yes.

I have self published 9 books had my poetry published in anthologies and chapbooks locally, I go to, and host a few open mics around the area, so professional if i'm correct is doing your craft and doing it well and not so much whether you've been published by big time vanity presses but have you developed a following for your works; if so in my eyes you're a professional