Over the last week, contestants have been flexing their poetry muscles in my contest, Write Me a Sonnet.
I have a strange obsession with iambic pentameter, and I was interested in learning if there were others like me in Steemland.
I've also been winning the occasional contest prize for the last few months writing my own poetry, so I figured it was time to give something back!
In fact, I'm running another poetry contest right now, accepting entries until Friday, December 8th. This one is called Revenge of the Words. In this contest, I'm looking specifically for angry poetry. Stay tuned for an update post!
Anyway, Back to the Winners!
I received so many more entries in this contest than I expected. I really appreciate the support from the poetry workshop folks at #thewritersblock with this contest; they helped promote and submitted some great entries!
The Big Winner: @improv! - 5 SBD
Your face is more covered in hair than most
Your nose reminds the muppets of their own
These physical details are no mere boast
They help you succeed at the Autozone
Employees are eager to offer deals
Admiring all your wacky, tacky clothes
They flirt with you and take you out for meals
Inviting you to fancy Broadway shows
The cast of Avenue Q thinks you're lost
You strut upon the stage and sing your best
And when the curtain falls a rose is tossed
You clutch it closely to your heaving chest
At last adventure came and you loved it
Alas you wake a minnow on Steemit
https://steemit.com/poetry/@improv/sonnet-4-for-chrisroberts
The Medium Winner: @geke! 3 SBD
A Sea of Currencies
A mermaid draws her money on account
from vaults her banker tucked beneath the quay.
The teller, told to charge a small amount:
“Incur and seize a fee as though a day.”
This fishy bank inflates the mollusk stores,
and troves of treasure chart a downward steep.
With current, seas seduce her from the shores
and move her clams from safety to the deep.
As currants ease her hunger, so a loan
assuages all expansionary urge.
The books reflect what auditors aren't shown
the clams, on ledger, suffer from a surge.
Once penalized for saving all her stash,
the mermaid swims away to spend her cash.
https://steemit.com/poetry/@geke/a-sea-of-currencies-entry-for-write-me-a-sonnet-contest
The Little Winner: @ellievallie! 2 SBD
Who is this man I see across the block?
This one who offers prizes for my love;
He even claims it is fine if I mock,
The concept and the mastermind thereof!
I write for pennies, maybe twice a dime,
A vapor steam mist in this crowded storm;
So I will peddle, sell off my good rhyme,
Through metered verses that stay true to form.
I see you reading all these words aloud,
To hear yourself speaking my skillful art;
You might say now I sound a bit too proud,
But tell me, Roberts, did I win your heart?
This may get nothing, though if I'm denied,
I'll vote myself up to be satisfied!
https://steemit.com/poetry/@ellievallie/love-poems-for-prizes-a-sonnet-for-chris
A Few Honorable Mentions
@yusaymon
Loving us on deaf frequencies and fixed gazes
While the frames are accelerated
I dedicate my time in being static
these four walls stop the time
the power of the moment would be pragmatic
We are going to manipulate the matter
changing your double caresses
Loving us on deaf frequencies and fixed gazes
to surrender to the cycle of galaxies
If love entangles you in my sheets
and my defects leave you stunned
"The religions" you ran out in the morning
I hope that path is pleasant for you both
I'm sure that you will hear the calling
https://steemit.com/contest/@yusaymon/poetry-contest-chrisroberts-loving-us-on-deaf-frequencies-and-fixed-gazes-eng-spa
@creatr
"Surprised by Love"
Post and context can be found HERE
For years on end I’ve relished pleasant days,
Without a single need that went unmet,
Immersed in satisfaction, love, and praise,
My life lived large, no trace of sad regret.
Then, like the rising suns, you lit my world.
A brilliance emanates from your dark eyes.
The universe around me, now unfurled,
Your presence leaves me breathless, mesmerized.
Now suddenly, I’m speaking out of turn,
Envisioning adventures we may find,
Let’s sail on past the point of no return,
To times and destinations out of mind.
Since finding you, I’ve come to long for more,
Surprised by love I’d never known before.
@carrieallen
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
First, your dark eyes, and those lashes so long.
That look that you give, that sweet loving gaze.
Second is how you can sing any song
Or write a poem to set to a tune.
Third, you must know, well, it's private, you see.
Hint, I reveal: It's delightful at noon.
Fourth on the list is your love just for me.
Each time a bird sings, I know it is true.
Fifth thing that I love, the way that you dance.
But why you chose me, I haven't a clue
It could be destiny or happenstance.
Whatever the reason, I still must cry,
"My life would be nothing without this guy!"
https://steemit.com/contest/@carrieallen/a-sonnet-for-my-guy
@steemedchitty
Man Overboard
"Abandon ship!", that's what everyone screams.
No time to think, I've heard we must jump ship.
What in the past would have been deemed blaspheme.
Or they, I fear, will from me my life strip.
A sailor here I did become, I did;
With rotten beams and quite weak winds, we sailed.
And we could see the end was near, I did;
My friends, this crew, through squall and calm, we sailed.
We see our ancient mates, they yell, "Ahoy!"
From better ships, where proper captains lead.
Some welcome us, some don't, with flags of joy.
They drift away, if we waste time we'll bleed.
Oh, this sinister end I won't embrace!
Another ship with my strong hands I'll grace!
https://steemit.com/writing/@steemedchitty/man-overboard-write-me-a-sonnet-poetry-contest
A huge thanks to all the entrants in this contest: @enjoywithtroy, @zublizainordin, @tcpaikano, @wandrnrose7, @yombo, @improv, @yusaymon, @ajremy, @creatr, @steemedchitty, @enjoywithtroy, @geke, @carrieallen, @ellievallie...
I'm so glad that all of you decided to write me a poem! I'll be sending everyone who entered 1 SBD, and a little more for the winners. While I didn't include everyone's poem here, I encourage you to go check out the original contest post HERE to read the others' work.
This was fun! Let's do it again some time.
This was a really great contest; it let me explore the world of poetry while having a lot of fun, plus @chrisroberts was really motivating with his love for Sonnets and in-depth comments.
Steem on!
UpVoted @chrisroberts for sharing goodness at Steemland and sparking Steemians poetic excitements through "Write Me a Sonnet". Congratulations to the awesome winners who have poured poetic words into this contest through the Internet. Salute to the other superb participants who have bag some SBD into their wallet net. Next enter please the Revenge of the Words angry poem contest without a bayonet.
https://steemit.com/zublizainordin/@zublizainordin/chrisroberts-announced-the-write-me-a-sonnet-winners
Hey, Chris!
Thank you for the mention, I am honored. :D
And, thanks again for the stimulus and inspiration. My sonnet wouldn't exist, at least not yet, without your encouragement.
Great contest!
😄😇😄
Thanks! This was a delight to host; I'm so glad I was able to help a little.
Sonnets are cool, aren't they?
Indeed they are; I've always admired them. :D
LOL - oh my gosh, I hadn't seen @improv's entry. Too funny! Congrats to all the winners and thank you @chrisroberts. So much fun!
You're very welcome! Congrats and thanks for your support!
Thanks!
That is so great!! so many good entries!! I suck at poetry :(
Congrats to all!!
I'll bet you suck less than you think.
@chrisroberts - you and @carrieallen are such a lovely and talented couple. Please tell me that there will be a post (in poetry if you want) about how you two met each other :D I enjoyed reading all the poems in your contest but sadly I am only good with chiasmus and oxymorons but not much else :p
There may be such a post at some point. We actually have a pretty interesting story... Thanks for bringing chiasmus to my attention. I've never heard that word before, but it looks like I use it all the time in my songwriting. I love words!
Having an interesting story to tell is one thing, having the powers of wordsmithing to bring it to life (as you two seem to have in abundance) is quite something else! It's funny how you use or know something for a long time without ever knowing the actual word for it, and to think that I didn't know the word supererogatory before I joined steemit but now I have a word to describe all the people here that go above and beyond the call of duty. I love words too!
Great contest Chris! Although I didn't enter I certainly enjoyed reading these.
Thanks! I know, they're really something, aren't they? I never expected so many skillfully written sonnets.
I might make this a more regular thing with themes.
I love structured poems!
Fantastic contest and congrats to all the winners :D
Thanks! This was really fun. I had a surprising amount of interest, so I may make it a regular thing.
Wow... wasn't expecting the results to pan out like this. Anyway, it's kay. You gotta win some and lose some in life
Absolutely! Your poem was awesome and I really appreciate you participating. You've got some great chops! There are plenty of good writing contests out there, and I'll definitely host more.
I guess you can write an angry poem about how you didn't win and enter it in my other contest ;)
But seriously, thanks!
Yeah maybe I will
Wow such a detailed and dedicative work. You have really inspired me.
This post recieved an upvote from ryankofi. If you would like to recieve upvotes from ryankofi on all your posts, simply FOLLOW @ryankofi
Thank you for the mention
You're welcome, thanks for playing!
Congratulations @improv!
Thank you @chrisroberts for the miniwin and for the fun contest. Keep the sonnets alive!
💙
Why thank you so much for the prize <3 you are so kind! And congratulations to the awesome winners! They did amazing!
I really enjoyed your poem as well, thank you so much for participating! I was surprised how many skilled writers showed up. They made the competition pretty intense.
Thank you for saying so and you have challenged me!
Yay! Such a great competition!
Ah - so a sonnet is iambic pentameter?
Everytime I read some shakespeare I have a tendency to start talking in iambic pentameter!