I for one hope you reconsider and continue to post your fine work. But allow me to throw something out here, just for the sake of argument: maybe the writing of poems was never meant to be a competitive activity, like poker or football.
I don't think the competitive part was ever taken seriously, other than maybe the personal challenge to improve. It was just an avenue for inspiration. Winning was only a chance to give everyone an opportunity to inspire others by posting the next round. It was only a pivotal point of inspiration as I saw it. It worked for me. It triggered my creative flow. I never saw anyone's feelings hurt when they didn't win, nor did I see anyone get puffed up when they did.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time here. The only reason I backed away was because life got in the way and time became scarce. I drop in for short visits to read everyone's poems but then I'm back to "life's calling". A temporary problem I hope. I'll bet that happens to many. And then there's the writers block issue that comes and goes. I also think attendance is a seasonal thing. Do you find numbers up in the winter and down in he spring and summer? Freezing temps, snow storms, etc keep people hunkered down indoors with time to sit and create. Summertime is a time of vacations, kids home from school, etc. More distractions for sure…and the sunshine beckons.
Last edited by Melanie; 04-18-2014 at 08:53 PM.
Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink the wild air ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
I enjoy the competitions as an friendly way to provide prompts for each other much as Melanie mentions. Workshopping poetry is a little more serious. That's probably why I don't do much of it. If one is betting money, I agree that poker could become too serious.
Some of us laugh
Some of us cry
Some of us smoke
Some of us lie
But it's all just the way
that we cope with our lives...
Nobody likes being told how they feel; on the other hand, you did generate some interest in the poetry contests-and wasn't that your ultimate goal?
I enjoyed them for a while, but actually, I really did hate judging them (even though I liked winning).
Last edited by qimissung; 04-20-2014 at 03:52 PM.
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its' own reason for existing." ~ Albert Einstein
"Remember, no matter where you go, there you are." Buckaroo Bonzai "Some people say I done alright for a girl." Melanie Safka
My business is poetry, and this evening... business is good.
The time has come, the Gods have willed it, for dueling poets to stand and deliver!
My first pistol shot; Avant-garde Poetry, in this case ending words rhyme from the middle line out.
Far and Away
a bottomless pit
with a gentle slope
a crow's prize
a rusted bottle cap
flicker of light
neither sun or moon
from ever blown
the tempting breath
against my ear
what is death
to a tombstone
casting shadows at noon
not left nor right
caught in the gap
none hear my cries
my kingdom for a rope
and still I slip
I started a thread for the new contest in the Poetry Games and Contest Forum, Iain. Hope you don't mind. Yours is the first entry. So come on over, everybody, and let's get this party started!
http://www.online-literature.com/for...=1#post1258489
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its' own reason for existing." ~ Albert Einstein
"Remember, no matter where you go, there you are." Buckaroo Bonzai "Some people say I done alright for a girl." Melanie Safka
I don't mind at all, thanks.
We'll see what kind of 'game' Pendragon can bring.
But I was still hoping more for a duel, just two dueling poets... and come what may.
Pendragon are you grievin'?
The threats of your leavin'
I's heard to often to believe
But if you go can we come too
To wherever it is that you do?
Leave or stay. Stay or leave.
It's entirely up to you?
I have already withdrawn all of my poems from the contests. Any I was supposed to judge may be restarted or judged by someone else.
This is indeed, goodbye.
I'd like to thank a few friends for putting up with me through the years:
Virgil, I'll miss you, mon ami.
Rich, you have been a godsend. God bless, and I hope we stay in touch, as you call from time to time.
Qimi, I still treasure the watercolor you sent for my library/mancave.
DarkMuse, Yesno, Cacian, your poetry is beyond compare,
Sher, you have really made me feel very welcome here.
Katrina, Pussnboots, MorpheusSandman, I am proud to have known you.
And many, many more,
God bless you all, and think of me time to time.
Farewell. To any that wish, my e-mail is [email protected]
To some of you I am Pendragon, to some Pen, and to many Uncle Pen.
Goodbye and I love you all.
Dale Harris
:
Some of us laugh
Some of us cry
Some of us smoke
Some of us lie
But it's all just the way
that we cope with our lives...
Dale, it was a pleasure crossing paths with you here recently among the poetry games threads.
If this is indeed the final farewell, then I'll leave you with some Patsy Cline.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ1R5isMXxk
We will think of you from time to time. Probably a little more than that.
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its' own reason for existing." ~ Albert Einstein
"Remember, no matter where you go, there you are." Buckaroo Bonzai "Some people say I done alright for a girl." Melanie Safka
I hope you see this post.
I was reading the form poem contest from the beginning, and now I'm at page 30. Thank you Pendragon for starting the thread, and keeping it alive for seven years. What you say about the contests not being so interesting is true. I regret that I was not a member then. But just reading some of the poems is a great experience, for anyone who loves form in poetry.
Thank you once again, and I'm sorry that you're leaving.
Last edited by chevalierdelame; 04-29-2014 at 11:13 AM.
The primary purpose of a liberal education is to make one's mind a pleasant place in which to spend one's leisure.
-Sydney J. Harris