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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.......

 

 

 

Bullet

◄ Pancake

Seven, lethal ►

Comments

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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

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thu 7th Oct 2010 10:09

I accessed only the tagged poems, did not trawl through the poems of the whole 30 days. All the winners are super. The challenge was great fun and the variety was stimulating.

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Isobel

Wed 6th Oct 2010 13:50

I've loved reading all of the bullet series. It never ceases to amaze me how differently people can take one theme. I am glad to see a homorous one win - so often humour gets overlooked for the higher impact stuff and humour is such a gift.

Thanks Dave for organising it - it's been a great success. x

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Laura Taylor

Wed 6th Oct 2010 13:27

Nice one, well done, congrats and all that to Alvin, Isobel and Andy. Come 'ead Andy, get something interesting up :)

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Marianne Louise Daniels

Wed 6th Oct 2010 09:51

Good job Alvin! x

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Andy N

Wed 6th Oct 2010 09:37

dead chuffed i came third, love the comments.. means a lot to me that, Dave.

If Alvin doesn't want to start a new competition, if nobody else I'll sort one out! A

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winston plowes

Wed 6th Oct 2010 09:01

Hi All, good fun this. Well done Alvin. Win x

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Lynn Dye

Wed 6th Oct 2010 08:18

Well done Alvin!
Well said, Francine,
and Well run, Dave!
And everyone who took part...

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Francine

Wed 6th Oct 2010 03:33

Félicitations Alvin Guinessberg !!!!!
Tu sais déjà ce que je pense de toi... ; )

Even though it is often difficult to choose just one 'winner', I believe that everyone who took part is a winner in their own right just for taking on the challenge and entering the competition.

And you did a FANTASTIC job, Dave, of running this one!

Merci !
xxx

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