March Poetry Contest Discussion Thread

[The Poets]

Any questions or comments about the contest? Put em here. If it's a question, one of the mods will get back to you with an answer ASAP.

But not this mod for much longer. She's getting tired.

Ange

 

[Sibilaire]

quick links

Not a question, just information.

If The Poets want to use this for the poets to use, please feel free. I had all of his pages on my sig line so I could find the pages more easily. might save you some time- here is the formatting so you don't have to re-do it.

To The Poets: good luck with your tribute to this poet you all love, and in the contest, should be interesting! Most of all it is good to have new people reading his poetry.




there, I cut of the last L on each so just add the L back on for them...R=deeppink]svelt walker-[/COLOR][/UR] [/size]

 

[Angeline]

Not a question, just information.

If The Poets want to use this for the poets to use, please feel free. I had all of his pages on my sig line so I could find the pages more easily. might save you some time- here is the formatting so you don't have to re-do it.

To The Poets: good luck with your tribute to this poet you all love, and in the contest, should be interesting! Most of all it is good to have new people reading his poetry.




there, I cut of the last L on each URL so just add the L back on for them to be links. sure there was an easier way.




-2Rivers-

smithpeter-

air2o-

oxalis-

Palau-

svelt walker-

Thank you S. That is wonderful. I'm starting to nod out, and I couldn't handle the thought of doing more searching and linking tonight.

Off to beddy bye...

 

[Angeline]

Bumpy

 

[WickedEve]

Okay, all the smithpeter names and links are added to the main contest thread. Thanks, S.

Hey, anna. Since you've been doing the mirror thread, you're probably more familiar with his poetry at the moment. Could you select a few that you feel would be most inspirational to other poets, and post them on this thread? I'm thinking that his work may be overwhelming to many poets, and I know they'd appreciate having a few to choose from.

 

[sandspike]

Good choice!

There is a lot of great poetry here. I look forward to giving it a shot. If you are
new here and haven't read any of this poet's work take the time to do so. I know
you will love it! See you all on the 23rd.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Smithpeter's poetry may seem intimidating to those among you who didn't knew him, but I urge everyone to allow yourselves the pleasure to explore at least some of it and to enter this contest.

 

[Sibilaire]

some 2004 poems

You are right, Eve, the sheer amount of poems is a little intimidating. I admit I have not read all of them.

I only knew him for a very short time, and know very little other than that time so this by no means is a representation of his work, just a fraction of a fraction of a fraction.


parts of speech
sveltwalker

I lost you
on the trip across the bay,
while four smart lean boys and one Lady
referred to your body,
about your stature
their admiration
their smutty mouths lubricated,
fast, sour and more interesting
to you
after each
soft sample of Bitch spit

your swallow tail skirt,
the slim slit I requested waves free
in the wind
down your left outer
silver stocking thigh
black against gray sky

smooth gentlemanly carnivores
with forceful manners
hold me, svelte companion down
to slat wood bench bolted
to wave slapped deck
as
My love descends,
curiosity drives her below,

inner thighs are darker
she learns, deep in hold
with Lady always small cap
tight to skull
shaved here and there
unable to tell all
in the dim and soon
eye closed suggestions
voluntary, relaxed, goose bumped
needing muscle supported
back
tipping
without fear of falling
too deep
so luscious fucking deep


being as small
by 2rivers ©

mirror will be washed
soon as need to see
real
what is here and behind
in front eventually

a mirror is time travel
not space
best silvered glass, water too
sky below, self above
all as bottomless, next to each other
(viewing hint: tip head slightly)

swimming in the untouchable
long as wide pool
deep as shallow heaven

~

simple solar
by 2rivers ©

-introduction by moisture:
I am his sweet gooey pond
sticky below his fragrant flower
proper pruned to be,
just so

-flash back:
living in a foot hill cave
he runs to look down
waiting for the two inch heeled
mountain knobbed clog lady with great mirth and happy hair

-flash forward:
straws chock full of syrup
hard to suck due the chunks
of banana and berry,
they gape below the sun vacuum cheeked all rosy and cute

-secondary and primary characters:
the lone elk and wedded pair of wild boar
are dispatched with ease
to dinner and a show with extra butter
so waffle stomper woman can rest her curious poetic head

-real life:
he beams like a coal miner’s headlight
all switches on
he watches the semaphore dancing across her forehead
she dreams of spice and soft touch with edge

~

the cabaret owner
by oxalis ©

blue, a dusty Sunday morning hung over
fog and horns
shutters need raising
butts litter where dancers caroused
lifting spirits, skirts, lids,
trousers drop, there were tubas,
his minor key eyes
need sweeping.
there are few bodies buried here

green, beyond the study windows
vast square yards fescue and sod
during day lit life squinting
seeking shade, children singing
under epithermal rain

gray, dinner out of box
no more cigarettes, no wine, no TV
moon is free
cheapest entertainment
next to conversation, if you can find some
at the Cabaret

clear, missing stanza:
owner has cleaned, band is due, they are razor dressed,
kind but serpent like with messages rarely
in agreement,
dripping venom
out spit valves
blessing resolved discordance

red, they each touch him
his palm
his shoulder kneels,
walking talking, brass and wire,
weightless soft shoes
tapping
behind the bar
at the Cabaret


”salt n pepper,
keep on doin it”

~

extended tether
by Palau ©

biographer birth to death
not my mud nor home brew
chalk on wall, down dark hall
it took many noisy foot falls to get here

tit for tat is typical for anger that does not debate
stolen ideas
applied to the concept of forgiveness
precarious atonement
tapestries of other peoples lies
difficult verse
complex lives
simple survival

one plus one
no matter
results



~

a good thing
by air2o ©

sipping from a candle flame with my eyes
it’s lured oxygen transforms into light
as my memory seems to be trading places
with empty gaps

A small sign goes up in yard near road
Space Available,
No Experience Needed,
Good View of Road and Yard

people driving cars turn their heads,
too bald, too old, too empty, not lived in enough.
Former porn star Sharon Mitchell stops to draw blood

Another brush with greatness speeds away,
slight wave out window,
a fly is left behind. Sharon Mitchell’s fly.
A good omen

The fly and I live happy together for years.
Fly years


~

Malaysia
by smithpeter ©

a piece of a pill I was crushing
jumped out of the bowl
and lodged in a pleat of my pants.
khakis, beige or light brown or khaki colored.
some small person in Malaysia whipped them up for me.
aren’t all persons, both men and women small in that place
we all knew about in high school? especially the little children are.
I don’t know. they are in hallucinations and documentaries.

it made me so upset, today to know that my shoes might have matched
my tan trousers if the lights were on
in the little closet next to the bed.
you must think I am upset or mad most of my day and night and dream
sick, curse filled mares.
but, I am just making fun of good humor and satisfaction, so cuss and unfold
polite little napkins like an autopsy in order to spill the finger bowl.
this invites frowns from my friend for lunch and the staff


~

we room
by smithpeter ©

entering a different room
the lighting is similar
positions are different
I experience mannequin envy

we keep our hands warm in each other
our step is march
our heels clack, noses bleed
from our own loftiness

It is a wonderful life
being room to room led
fed and oiled and spoiled
food and water and sex

we are offered toys and tokens
which we grab, fight over
hide from each other
throw out crashing glass

smoke forced apart
pushed into door frames
separated by bulletins
scandal that brings back our drool

entering a different room
with soft surrendered animal fur
no sign of knives
hides for laying against

chant is appropriate
gospel singers surround us
their mission is to see every all
sing the notes, walk off with words

the hymns of time collide
Love is God
cross stitch cadence
quilt of pain, glued with passion

last room before journey begins

 

[WickedEve]

That's what we need, A. He must have a thousand or close to it here at lit. Though, anyone who wants to explore, should do it! It's quite a trip. And make sure to vote and leave comments. The voting will get more of his poetry on the top list where it can be noticed. And the comments, I'm sure, will be appreciated by new readers. And if you aren't familiar with smithpeter, then just start reading.

 

[Sibilaire]

3 Examples

Someone mentioned that they were confused about the contest.

Here is a sample of what I think The Poets are intending. I did this last June. The poems are all from the week before he passed over, it was just where I started, random alphabetical Air2O. I know there are many people who have written much better poems in response to his poetry, but I just wanted to give people a sample in case others were also confused about what to do, and this is what I had.

What I did was read his poem a few times, close my eyes and brainstorm. Then later I edited into a kind of poem


I especially think this contest is cool, as many of you remember, he often wrote cool little poems as public comments or as thanks for mentioning his poems in the new poetry reviews-- this is how I see this contest, only you write your comments into your own style of poetry.


.................


a real person
by air2o ©

come to me
display your bones
hold out a carpet
a welcome tradition
mat

i will add to my subtractions
before arriving
into your full all ready arms

those pair of flesh circle
me, my trunk, my way down

~

individual piece of the pair
multiplies into one

like 204 bones that lie
waiting to be reconstructed
before floating soaking sinking
into the below

I cannot find you


...............................




surrounded
by air2o ©

the trees in the yard
begin to grow together
a web of obsolescence, swallowing

love is yard bumps tripped over
to feed the bird feeders


~

under the bird feeder
they show gratitude
with a flash of red
maybe blue tail feather
flit of wing

roots push up from under grass
in search of a better view

love is seed sprouts under feeder
growing despite bird kicks and tree shade
tripping roots


.............................



tonight, tonight
by air2o ©

maybe we should do some burning tonight
maybe I should do some burning tonight
under a sky wondering how lover’s sky works

embers from my fire
touch hers, dance like heat obsolete
an option forgotten
best our aura’s can do

sexy inference, she is
inventing nature again
all over again



~

light of fire, moon
I can read you
feel your flicker in waves
these glowing embers breathe
battery free

don't forget to feed fuel
and poke oxygen under
remember the magic ratio

did I cross that line
remove glow with enthusiasm

footsteps in woods
remind me

slow down for oxygen
remember the magic

~

over campfire
moon keeps her watch
through a window in the canopy
cheating us our turn to
hide in shadows

squirrel drops another anvil
shattering dried branches
snap
I jump
revealed!

~

again he invents observation
reappearance again
sleeveless magic
again

~

 

[Rybka]

MANY. . . Many. . . many. . .

That's what we need, A. He must have a thousand or close to it here at lit. . .

Actually, by my count it was 808, and that was including the poems written in collaboration with another.

 

[Angeline]

Someone mentioned that they were confused about the contest.

Here is a sample of what I think The Poets are intending. I did this last June. The poems are all from the week before he passed over, it was just where I started, random alphabetical Air2O. I know there are many people who have written much better poems in response to his poetry, but I just wanted to give people a sample in case others were also confused about what to do, and this is what I had.

What I did was read his poem a few times, close my eyes and brainstorm. Then later I edited into a kind of poem


I especially think this contest is cool, as many of you remember, he often wrote cool little poems as public comments or as thanks for mentioning his poems in the new poetry reviews-- this is how I see this contest, only you write your comments into your own style of poetry.


.................


<snip>

~

These are all really good examples.

I fretted about how best to explain this contest. We don't want people to feel they need to "write a smithpeter poem." That's not the point at all. We all read poems by others here and then are inspired to write something of our own. Something in the poem we read catches us--content or style, maybe just a phrase or word, and this moves us to write whatever we write. I think that's what your examples do, and beautifully.

Obviously, the main point of the contest--besides giving folks yet another opportunity to write--is to bring smithpeter's poems to a new audience as well as let those who had read him before appreciate him again.

 

[WickedEve]

These are all really good examples.

I fretted about how best to explain this contest. We don't want people to feel they need to "write a smithpeter poem." That's not the point at all. We all read poems by others here and then are inspired to write something of our own. Something in the poem we read catches us--content or style, maybe just a phrase or word, and this moves us to write whatever we write. I think that's what your examples do, and beautifully.

Obviously, the main point of the contest--besides giving folks yet another opportunity to write--is to bring smithpeter's poems to a new audience as well as let those who had read him before appreciate him again.

I just saw S's examples. You can give me all the explanations in the world, but give an example and I'm set to go. Really. I just have to be shown. Grab me and show me what I'm supposed to do. That's why I took all those classes before my first baby. I read the books, but once I got that rubber baby doll in my hands... and by the way, the teacher gets all weird when you take it by the head and lay it down on the floor.

 

[Angeline]

I just saw S's examples. You can give me all the explanations in the world, but give an example and I'm set to go. Really. I just have to be shown. Grab me and show me what I'm supposed to do. That's why I took all those classes before my first baby. I read the books, but once I got that rubber baby doll in my hands... and by the way, the teacher gets all weird when you take it by the head and lay it down on the floor.

Are you gonna talk about the dildo soon?

 

[WickedEve]

Are you gonna talk about the dildo soon?

Well, I wasn't planning on it. I had two wisdom teeth pulled today, and I'm still full of laughing gas, and I'd like be clearer in the head before I talk about my dildo, besides, this thread is not about my dildo or me having babies. It's not about my laughing gas either, or the nurse who asked about my bdsm pendant I wearing and god only knows what I told her. Gracious, Ange, not everything is about me.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

I don't know if you noticed that I reshuffled the posts on the main contest thread, because Laurel is going to link to it from the home page, and it was better to have all the pertinent information on the first post.

 

[Angeline]

Well, I wasn't planning on it. I had two wisdom teeth pulled today, and I'm still full of laughing gas, and I'd like be clearer in the head before I talk about my dildo, besides, this thread is not about my dildo or me having babies. It's not about my laughing gas either, or the nurse who asked about my bdsm pendant I wearing and god only knows what I told her. Gracious, Ange, not everything is about me.

This post could come back to haunt you.

I hope you're enjoying the laughing gas. We're hunkering down for another blizzard here. I'm changing my name to Nanook.

 

[Angeline]

I don't know if you noticed that I reshuffled the posts on the main contest thread, because Laurel is going to link to it from the home page, and it was better to have all the pertinent information on the first post.

I saw. Twas good.

 

[WickedEve]

I don't know if you noticed that I reshuffled the posts on the main contest thread, because Laurel is going to link to it from the home page, and it was better to have all the pertinent information on the first post.

I noticed that some busy beaver came in and prettied it all up.
Home page? Wow!

 

[Remec]

Just wondering

With the sheer volume of poems involved in perusing, there's bound to be many things that might spark something in our minds (hearts/souls/etc). Is there a limit on the number of entries we can make for this challenge?

 

[Angeline]

With the sheer volume of poems involved in perusing, there's bound to be many things that might spark something in our minds (hearts/souls/etc). Is there a limit on the number of entries we can make for this challenge?

I'd say limit it to three poems per participant, but let's see what the other mods think.

 

[annaswirls]

I'd say limit it to three poems per participant, but let's see what the other mods think.

you could start a thread for non-competing poems so everyone can still display their poems. (I say not having started yet)


I really really hope that the mods get to compete partly for selfish reasons.

I can understand why they would not vote, but no harm in submitting an anon. poem for the contest, no?

 

[Lauren Hynde]

I would love to enter a poem and compete, as I am sure would Eve and Angeline, but only if everyone agrees to it. We wouldn't vote, of course.

 

[My Erotic Tale]

I would love to enter a poem and compete, as I am sure would Eve and Angeline, but only if everyone agrees to it. We wouldn't vote, of course.

I think it would be well fitting for those who knew him to certainly write in this contest, and those who did't must struggle through the wonderful marvelous poetry and try and descide which to play off of?

I don't see a problem with it matter of fact I think it would be more focused on ther theme, <grin> The poll speaks for it self so I don't see why voting would be an issue one vote per each right?

 

[Angeline]

I like Anna's idea about a non-competition thread, which worked so well for the last contest.

I've probably written more poems influenced by and/or for my dear pal smithpeter than anyone--well except what's-his-name-eyez. I'd put a few of the ones influenced by Doug's poems and/or new ones I write in a non-contest thread.