I love poetry. My favorite is love poetry. My very favorite is selfless love poetry. Think of Sydney Carton from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens.
"It is a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done.
It is a far, far better rest I go to than I have ever known."
He was able to love completely, totally, unselfishly, selflessly, and gave his life to save the husband of the woman he loved.
No animosity
No self-pity
No regrets
This is what I am looking for. I want love poems to someone who you would gladly spend your life with, but will let them go with just as much love. Maybe it is someone of a different age group, a different religion, already married, the same sex and they aren't gay, whatever the reason. I am not looking for love that is unrequited, but that is ok, too.
Remember the Sting song: "If you love somebody set them free." That is what I am looking for.
Here's the twist! I am not looking for unhappy poems. I want poems full of "sorrowful joy" to steal a myrataal phrase. Just like in Sydney Carton's quote above. Whover gives me an inspirational cry will undoubtably win.
Here is a sample written for Sydney to speak, but that is not necessary for the contest. Any form poetry will do.
Sydney Carton's Soliloquy
Do not mourn my heart; count my love as full
As long as your soul remains beautiful.
My lot's the destination of this cart,
Count my love as full, do not mourn my heart.
My fate is to die, just as every man.
No one’s lost to love when hearts still can,
For not a soul will mourn and grieve for I.
Just as every man, my fate is to die.
Don’t think me unwise my choice is well made.
Upon the selfish path I’ve always stayed
Till love has come and opened up my eyes.
My choice is well made, don’t think me unwise.
If I’d only known this sorrowful joy,
Been taught these lessons loving as a boy.
My wishes cast for naught, my seeds are sown.
This sorrowful joy, if I’d only known.
Yet, I've made peace, I have my chosen fate
and smile upon your memory as I wait.
Withhold your cries upon the blade's release,
I've my chosen fate, I have made peace.
Rules:
Form Poetry
Don't give me anything sucky.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on October 18
- Rewards: Gold: 1500, Silver: 1000, Bronze: 500, Honorable mention: 5 people
- Final notes: Thank you all for the wonderful entries in my contest!
I was absolutely floored by the winner. Amera's poem "Scars" was a take on the prompt that was brilliant and unexpected. More than this, the poem is flawlessly constructed. It reads like fine prose yet rhymes! I am astonished and humbled and wish I had written it.
Silver goes to Myrataal's beautiful entry. The depth of personal feeling she imparts in this is simply breathtaking. The structure is original and the meter based upon phrases and not feet. I love that approach.
Bronze goes to Titus for his wonderful poem "Urge of Recompense". The craftsmanship of this posm is far and away the most impressive in this contest. I think poor Titus suffers because he writes over this judges head. I felt that the poem was a bit too intellectual and not emotive enough. However, it may be that I just don't understand it well enough to see the emotion.
This contest produced far and away more and better results than the Free Verse version of the same contest. You should all be very proud. I had expected the reverse and am very, very pleased.
Special thanks to Lauren who picked the same top three as I did completely blind to who wrote them and what I thought. I felt vindicated from any claims of favoritism.
Contest Winners
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Oh my love• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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In theory, love will languish ‘round
Long after it has gone ...by waydownuponjoy 31 lines, 9 comments, on Oct 5 7:56 AM. In Contest, Love, Spiritual, Form poetry
Honorable winner• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
love oozes out of open heart
cork removed of fine liquor• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Within the boundaries of my heart, I see,pain and sorrow of your wife's pained eyes.Strengthening up, I must set you free,for unknown reasons, I hear her hearts cries.• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Sonnet
Gold trophy winner
Silver trophy winner
Bronze trophy winner
Entries [16]
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you said u have started love me
from distance a farby anneklien 20 lines, 1 comment, on Oct 15 11:51 AM• Commented on by judge. -
Never ask for your love to give up all her friends
You must see jealousy has no part in this life• Commented on by judge. -
Don’t cry for me
I understandby Creating Darkness 22 lines, 3 comments, on Oct 15 12:28 PM• Commented on by judge. -
we begin to depart
the moment we arrive• Commented on by judge.
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Comments
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Thank you so much for the HM..and congrats to the other winners as well..
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Indeed who would of guessed this outcome???? I sure did. Even told amera last night she would win the contest.
Congrats to all winners -
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Her poem was the best. In my contest best poem wins. Thanks for handicapping it.
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Congratulations to all the winners!
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