Biting the Bullet - result
The waiting is over. The poem which received the most votes in the 'Biting the Bullet' competition was
'Biting the Bullet' by Alvin Guinessberg
http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=16205
2nd place Isobel (2) 'Bullet'
http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=16581
3rd place Andy N 'Biting the Bullet'
http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=16532
Well done Alvin. Congratulations – a worthy winner in my opinion. But you are such a man of mystery – how to get the prize to you? The £20 Waterstones voucher (which you so outrageously and hilariously anticipated receiving) can be sent through the post, or electronically, or can be presented at an open mic night. I'll be putting something on your profile after posting this.
It was a highly enjoyable but peculiar competition. I got some very positive feedback from lots of people and more people entered than I ever imagined, (23, with 28 poems) . But more people entered than voted. Not sure what that says about us. Any theories?
Anyway, the standard was very high, which was reflected in the comments made when voting .
Of Dave Carr's -
“I liked the imaginative and strong rhymes throughout and the shifting references and rhythm”
"extremely clever and very witty scramble of old adages with news twists"
Of Banksy's
“it moved me so much. I loved the brevity, combined with the poignancy, and anything to do with WW1 has me choking up. “
"Ypres - a universal theme highlighted by simple acts observed with great sensitivity"
Ann Foxglove
“I love this one of Ann's - it's a complete departure from what I've seen of her writing so far........I love the ferocity and aggression of this. It reads almost like the unstoppable trajectory of a fired bullet, although I still hate that font size and colour!”
Chris Dawson
“I liked the ambiguity of this, and the tension between resistance, acceptance, and choice.”
“enigmatic playfulness, leaving multiple interpretations”.
Augusta
“cos it's sexayyyy! :D “. Someone gave a 1-2-3 and put this second
Larisa (2) Don't Touch My Heart
"There's a striking simplicity in this poem that adds to the starkness of the message. Hats off to Larisa"
Rachel McGladdery
“This one was quite brilliant and gets my vote”
Someone gave a 1-2-3 and put this third
Cate
I found it a very hard choice as in my opinion there were many good entries. However, I have chosen Cate as my favourite"
“a strong emotional expression of human denial in any circumstance, thoughtful and well crafted.”
Andy N
“the only poem that moved me”
“it was Andy N's "Biting the Bullet" that I liked the most. I enjoyed the fact of the story, told in two voices, the detail, the mystery and sadness.”
Alvin Guinnessberg
“I love his attitude and thought processes”
Thom
“an engaging insight into those universal brief moments that might decide the direction of one’s entire life.”
Isobel (2) – 'Bullet'
“further enriches the theme of Shaw’s ‘Major Barbara’: what is the moral responsibility of
arms-makers?”
Ray Miller
“great opening hook to catch the reader; very funny satire on boss/worker relationships.”
“If forced to vote I would go for the toothsome Mr Miller and his very natty poem”
Marianne Daniels
“mildly manic fizz of irresistible words on target, fascinating”
Steve Kenny
“outstanding imagery describing a gun pointed at one’s own head: ‘its dead black eye, a cycloptic reaper’;
Lynn Dye (2)
"Deceived - a well-structured story highlighting personal power to finish a dead-end relationship."
Winston
“I also very much liked...Winston's entry “Day in the Life of a Loaded Gun”...probably as number 3”
Francine (1)
|
“The poem looks beyond the aggression of crossfire and embraces the idea of forgiveness - turning the other cheek to those who have caused pain.” |
Voters didn't comment on Greg Freeman's, Laura Taylor's, Cynthia's or Rachel Bond's but they all got lots of positive comments when originally blogged. I feel Graham Sherwood's very good poem suffered from a confusion over whether it was a Biting the Bullet offering – sorry about that Graham.
It's been fun and interesting, and sometimes moving. There seems to be an appetite for more. If anyone else (especially the winner?) wants to run a theme or do another competition, the field is wide open. If a competition, then it could work without a prize and could take a different shape altogether. We are only restricted by the limits of our imagination.......
Dave Carr
Thu 7th Oct 2010 21:53
Missed the voting -
bugger!
Would have liked to have voted for Moxy's first poem which was removed before the middle english one.
Failing that I would have voted for Win's Acrostic.
Enjoyed all the poems.
Dave