Posted May 5, 2016 (edited) Note: thread is horrifically unformatted. I will fix it eventually, but my current priority is getting the thread up and going to bed. Are you tired of freebies? Don't you wish you had to work for your prizes? Me neither. But if you are, you're in luck! If you're active in the Departures thread, you've probably seen me there. I'm often dropping things here and there - raffles, FFAs, whatever. I've begun to notice a problem, however. Not only are clicky links severely uninvolved, it's always the same people. I love to give stuff away, but I've been itching to create a way that has a little bit more involvement. There are a lot of different ways I could accomplish this. They all start with this thread. • Be sure to read ALL applicable contest-specific rules. Different contests may have different rules, listed under the "Current" header. • Only one entry per person (if you wish to add others on to the same post you are welcome to, but they will not be counted) • Be a good sport whether you win or lose. This includes "why didn't this person win? Theirs was clearly better!" Unless expressly stated otherwise: • Do not trade or regift. Personal exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis. • Do not kill, neglect, abandon, etc. • For 2G prizes: Please name it, and breed it for other people. Whether you gift or trade the offspring is your prerogative. Prize: Let's kick things off with a multitude of choices. Option 1: Write a poem. Length does not matter, quality does. Option 2: Tell a joke. Preferably not something you looked up five minutes ago. (Be sure to follow forum rules with regards to appropriateness). Option 3: Give me your favorite quote. It can be funny, wise, or otherwise. You will be judged on: • Originality. I collect jokes. It's sort of my thing. I don't want to hear a joke I already know by heart told in the exact same way. Similarly, picking the most famous quote you can think of isn't likely to get you very far. • Effort. A short quote that took you a minute to look up is not going to hold a candle to a beautiful, heartfelt poem that took an hour to write. There are multiple options to be fair to people who do not like the others, not so that you can put in the minimal amount of effort and somehow win. If you are unwilling to put forward your best effort, then I advise not entering. I am creating this contest for those people (I know you are out there) who are really willing to go the distance for the prize. • Creativity. I'm not giving very many boundaries here, so put a little bit of heart into it. Putting a joke into cartoon form, doing a dramatic reading of your poem, inscribing a quote onto a block of wood - whatever it takes to bring it to life. This makes a world of a difference. Closed! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THIRD PLACE... Pryanka! I loved the abstract art style of the posters. Having a visual for each stanza really transformed it from a poem into something more. Creative, original, and pretty! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SECOND PLACE... mutant8! The subject of the poem is unique and well-delivered, and I loved the use of dramatic metaphors - especially in the first stanza. Very well-done and original, conveying a concept most aren't familiar with. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FIRST PLACE... Tango! This adorable Anagallis captured my heart and made my day, with its exuberant grin, free of all worldly cares. As well as being gorgeously rendered, it perfectly connected with a recent personal experience, and I can't stop staring at it's face and grinning. This is exactly the kind of effort and creativity I was looking for, and I simply wish it could fit in my signature. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sincere apologies to all who didn't win. There were just too many good entries, and I couldn't pick them all! I hope I can do another one of these soon with a different objective, but that depends on the cooperation of my Tinsel. Until then, farewell! Thread approved by Shiny Hazard Sign. Thank you! Edited May 12, 2016 by The_Bucket Share this post Link to post
Posted May 5, 2016 (edited) I'm not super good at writing poems, but I'm just gonna give it a try. To walk the stage is to trek the Himalayas. when the air freezes and shatters in your lungs; when your heart beats an insistent song against your ribcage. to sing for the crowd to get that insistent song out to cry and to shout --- is to tell a story out loud. a long, long story of each and every burden that you carry. standing, leaping on your feet, caterwauls coming from your flushed cheeks. you are screaming, shouting; or you are just sitting there with eyes closed feeling fortunate to be here. you cheer them on when you still feel the pain when you stopped singing just before the stage. but you can't help but smile when the year is ending with fruitful regrets To walk the stage, is to walk the year through from January to December. To be in the crowd, is to see the year unfold with all its joys and sorrows. To write this poem is to live the year out again for you for you for you and for you. and also, here's a quote that I really like: "People get built up differently. We don't have to figure it out, we just have to respect it." Edited May 6, 2016 by mutant8 Share this post Link to post
Posted May 5, 2016 When I got home this morning, I really did not expect this. Such a lovely surprise mutant8, that poem is lovely. I especially like your use of metaphorical imagery, especially in the opening stanza. I shared it with a close friend who is very involved in drama/theatre, and he said: "Not a lot of people understand, but this person clearly knows what they're talking about. It really captures the essence of performing, for me." As an animal person, I really like that quote, OrcaFreak. Mark Twain is great with quotes. A little question for anyone competing: I have gotten at least one submission privately, through PM. I strongly wish to respect the wish of the author(s) and keep them private, since I understand it can be nerve-wracking to submit a poem you've put your heart into for all to see. However, I feel that it is somewhat unfair if the winner is private, and nobody gets to see what won, or if there was any favoritism going on behind-the-scenes. I think that leaves three options: ban private submissions, allow private submissions but, in the event of one of them winning, publish it here, without the name, or fully allow private submissions. Any thoughts are welcome. I look forward to seeing more fabulous entries in the following week! Share this post Link to post
Posted May 5, 2016 I felt I needed to write a villanelle for this. I hope you enjoy it. The brood of dragons, silver meeting ice: The Bucket's gift to someone who will work To fill the scroll with baubles very nice. This dragon was not born in paradise — The mother stated, holding back a smirk: The brood of dragons, silver meeting ice. An egg is not a flotation device, Nor is it simply of the site a perk, To fill the scroll with baubles very nice. A poem's structure must be quite precise If it should please The Bucket and not irk The brood of dragons, silver meeting ice. A simpler poem should of course suffice — To choose this form is really quite a quirk To fill the scroll with baubles very nice. A poem was The Bucket's asking price To win I need not go to needlework. The brood of dragons, silver meeting ice To fill the scroll with baubles very nice. Share this post Link to post
Posted May 5, 2016 I think this is a great fantastic idea and will be participating later and watching and sharing! Share this post Link to post
Posted May 5, 2016 I wrote a haiku about the cherry blossom trees I saw last week: Dancing in the wind Pink petals fall like snowflakes Dazzling my heart Share this post Link to post
Posted May 5, 2016 (edited) hey this is fun! this is part quote part poem. I heard this a long time ago and it has always stuck with me "A monster lies in wait in me, a stew of wounds and misery. But fiercer still in life and limb, the me that lies in wait in him." -Clive Barker p.s. good luck everyone, i am sure there will be a lot more creative entries than mine p.p.s. this seemed appropriate because... dragons. Edited May 5, 2016 by nepenthe.catharsis Share this post Link to post
Posted May 5, 2016 What an amazing idea! I haven't written a poem in a while, but I'll give it my best shot. Feather on the Wind. Feather on the wind, how gracefully you fly. Above snow white clouds, and cross the brightly starlit sky. While people walk below, never seeing your endless trek. Silently you glide, weighing no more than a fleck. Over mountains and hills, across deserts and oceans. Never giving in, or lacking devotion. Finally you arrive, in the nest of more feathers. Keeping safe the next generation, and protecting it from any weather. A veteran you are, having soared the seven skies. what stories you shall tell, before the young bird's excited eyes. Your job is done, as the bird grows and takes flight. grand adventures await him, as he sees the world in a new light. Share this post Link to post
Posted May 5, 2016 (edited) This is one of my favorite quotes, in fact it was my wallpaper for a while (now I actually want to find the wallpaper I made with that quote on it hmmmm) (geez! Trying to do this on mobile is so hard!) (hope it's not too big) Edited May 5, 2016 by Clya Share this post Link to post
Posted May 5, 2016 I have always held great fondness for dragons. This is a story poem written years ago about one of my dragon characters, Raithius, which I felt would be appropriate in a competition to win a dragon egg! I've included a piece of artwork, as the visual reference aids in understanding the story. © amikira.deviantart.com On Dragon Wings "You are an unnatural thing," they say. Raith snarls as his only reply. He glares at them, they stare at him, He spreads his wings and flies. How can he help not having A body of natural form? Why must they always treat him so, Why must they always scorn? This wing, this leg, this eye... This dreadful abomination... These metallic parts they so hate Are of their own creation! Years ago, Raith was a gentle soul, And that was when they bullied him. They shoved him around, knocked him down, Then clawed at him, tore at his skin. With hateful words, they did their worst; They tortured poor Raith's heart. They spat upon his loving soul And ripped his world apart. From that day on, Raith's heart grew More twisted by the hour. His lips would curl into a snarl Which made many creatures cower. Yet, in the stillness of the night, Raith gazes toward the heavens. He wonders at the brilliant stars, Wonders at what they might cleanse. Could staring at their brilliancy Heal the torment in his heart? Could forgetting all about his past Be enough to make a new start? Raith sighs back at the heavens Who refuse to grant a reply. "How silly of me," he snorts now, "Hoping answers lay in the sky." With one last wistful glance above, Raith curls amidst his stash of things. He closes his eyes, embraces sleep, Then dreams he flies on dragon wings. Share this post Link to post
Posted May 5, 2016 So... English is not my language, honestly it was a really hard task for me. I know it's not perfect, it's a little bit tacky also, but writing it felt good. I cannot call this thing poetry, but... it was fun, it really was. 'Almost lovers' You might be tad too good for me With stars in eyes and voice so sweet With mysteries around your feet With mind and wit hard to compete But if you find me in your sleep Be sure I am there to keep And there's a chance In dreams we'd dance With hearts in hands a bit offbeat This timeless moment such a treat Tracing fingers, sweat and heat That's the only way to meet The only way to feel complete ///oh GoN, I feel so silly /// Share this post Link to post
Posted May 5, 2016 Private submissions: I don't mind the idea of private submissions, but I think the final winner submission should be shared (but I guess could be shared anonymously) because it'd be cool to see what caught your eye enough to win ^.^ I'm sure nobody else will have any objection to whichever option you go with. I'm going to share my entry, it's kind of a long one, so I apologize. I wrote this poem about how I feel when I am being creative, and then I turned each stanza of the poem into it's own poster. So here is my two part submission The poster below is my FAVORITE from the series I created. You can click it to see the full version without the border and stuff. PART ONE- THE POEM! DESIGN IS Design is an all day And all night Kind of thing. Design is Doing what you want And calling it Art Design is pretty typography On a decent background With a cohesive color palette Design is Simply Fancy Design is knowing When to Stop Design is fighting the logic Of your Brain with the Versatility of your Art Design is Life That only makes sense In your own head. Design is mindless Scribbles that Look cool Design is Me When I am at my Most inspired. PART TWO - POSTER SERIES - CLICK ME TO VIEW THEM! Share this post Link to post
Posted May 7, 2016 I'm really enjoying the entries so far. Keep up the excellent work! I might have to bump the post in the Departures thread a bit more frequently though, because it seems to severely die off between bumps. Share this post Link to post
Posted May 7, 2016 Lovely poems / quotes. My poetic facet is hiding, so I'll just enjoy everyone else's work. The Bucket, if you can make a button (?) for the thread, I'll gladly add it to my signature. Good luck to all who participate! Share this post Link to post
Posted May 8, 2016 (edited) I have two kinda stupid one Q: What did the farmer say when he lost his tractor? A: Oh no, I've lost my tractor. Joke #2 Q: Why do scuba divers fall backwards? A: Because if they fell forward, they would still be on the boat. I have a weird sense of humor. Edited to add: I'm not trying to enter into the giveaway. I just wanted to share some of my humor out there. I've been enjoying the submissions and I think this is a really good idea. (Hopefully we'll get to know users on here a bit better since this requires a bit more work than just claiming an eggy) Edited May 8, 2016 by gigglymonkey12 Share this post Link to post
Posted May 9, 2016 (edited) Whew that took a while. Hope you like it! I love that pairing. Also as a bonus, my own personal collection of quotes book! Here! Edited May 9, 2016 by Tango Share this post Link to post
Posted May 9, 2016 Has anyone ever played Minecraft? It's basically a build-your-own-world sandbox game made of blocks. And I wrote a poem in it a while ago, called DoDaylightCycle. I look at the sky and watch the day becoming night. Stars surround the moon as it glows, far above my head. Its gentle light falls on the world. The night thickens. A cloud passes across my view, and suddenly, the light is not enough. Monsters begin to appear. They destroy everything I've made, and set out to destroy me too. The stars laugh as my demise approaches. But then, from behind the trees, A brilliant sight a square, an orb, its glow banishing the night. The monsters flee, its gaze burning their existence. A taste of their own medicine, I think. The sun rises, bringing light back into my world. No demon can compete with its beauty. A cloud passes across my view as I watch night become day. The poem also has a second meaning... I've been bullied in school since I was little (I'm 'weird'). Because of this, I was starting to feel a little suicidal in the final months of last year. But then I met a guy, and he talked to me, and eventually I told him all of my problems. Because of him, I don't want to die any more. So I gave him this poem in the minecraft world we played on. He said it was good, and I said... You are the sun. Read it again. He's now my boyfriend This kinda feels like cheating since I wrote the poem a few months ago and not for this competition, but I felt like sharing it anyway. Share this post Link to post
Posted May 9, 2016 So many wonderful contributions! I'll add my own, a quote Brandon Sanderson wrote in the book The Alloy of Law, linked for size Share this post Link to post
Posted May 11, 2016 (edited) I decided to try and prod my inner poet to work, and doing the odd line here or there today, then I got side tracked with real life and forgot to finish it until just about to head to bed... so this might not make a whole lot of sense, since its now 90 minutes past my bedtime. ---------------- On majestic wings you soar High above the clouds you roar While below people gaze up in awe At the most spectacular dragon they ever saw Riding on currents of air Not caring if the humans stare With the occasional swoop and daring dive You take great pleasure in just being alive Soaring over the calm sea Happy to be wild and free To join your kin upon the beach Careful to never let the waves within reach Happy you are just sunbathing Watching the antics of your kin As they happily play in the waves To boisterous when you just want to laze Playful hatchlings make you smile You join them for a while Making castles out of stones and sand With your help they make something quite grand The sun begins to dip Meaning the end of your trip Fond farewells said you then take flight Arching into the sky to race the night. Edited May 11, 2016 by Blake_Wolfe Share this post Link to post
Posted May 11, 2016 "Good morning, destroyer of mens' souls." ~Carrie Nation Share this post Link to post
Posted May 12, 2016 I love philosophy, and in particular I love stoic philosophy, and even more particular, I love the writings of Marcus Aurelius. I read his Meditations daily, and while there are many texts and quotes from him that I love very much and I could use, I find this particular piece to be the most beautiful. "Of human life the time is a point, and the substance is in a flux, and the perception dull, and the composition of the whole body subject to putrefaction, and the soul a whirl, and fortune hard to divine, and fame a thing devoid of judgement. And, to say all in a word, everything which belongs to the body is a stream, and what belongs to the soul is a dream and vapour, and life is a warfare and a stranger's sojourn, and after-fame is oblivion. What then is that which is able to conduct a man? One thing and only one, philosophy. But this consists in keeping the daemon within a man free from violence and unharmed, superior to pains and pleasures, doing nothing without purpose, nor yet falsely and with hypocrisy, not feeling the need of another man's doing or not doing anything; and besides, accepting all that happens, and all that is allotted, as coming from thence, wherever it is, from whence he himself came; and, finally, waiting for death with a cheerful mind, as being nothing else than a dissolution of the elements of which every living being is compounded. But if there is no harm to the elements themselves in each continually changing into another, why should a man have any apprehension about the change and dissolution of all the elements? For it is according to nature, and nothing is evil which is according to nature." - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 2 Share this post Link to post
Posted May 12, 2016 Well, personally I'm not all that great at poetry, and I'm not a particularly funny person (besides my looks ), but quotes- well, I struggle to choose a favourite, but seeing as how you'd like to see hard work, maybe an effort-themed quote: "Opportunity follows struggle. It follows effort. It follows hard work. It seldom comes before." -Shelby Steele Share this post Link to post
Posted May 12, 2016 Do you know that life is like a game? That sentence probably sounded lame. Some choices matter, some choices don't. Some choices will help you, some choices won't. Will you study for a test? Or will you hope you the best? Will you go to a job interview? Or will you stay home saying you had the flu? So many choices, what to do? What will these choices make you go through? That was my attempt at a poem Share this post Link to post
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