Akron Art Museum Poetry Competition

Guidelines for submission of poetry to Akron Art Museum’s NEW WORDS 2009Poetry Competition
· Only adult poets (at least 18 years old) currently residing in Ohio are eligible to enter.
· Submit a maximum of THREE poems not to exceed FIVE pages total. Please include THREE COPIES of each poem (the copies of the poems do not count towards the five page limit).
· Since the poems will be judged anonymously, the poems and copies of the poems MUST NOT have the poet’s name on them. Instead, please include ONE cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, email address and the titles of all submitted poems.
· Poems that have been previously or simultaneously entered to other contests ARE eligible for submission. Poems that have been previously published are NOT eligible. The Akron Art Museum reserves the right to publish winning entries.
· Contestants should keep a copy of all entries since poems WILL NOT be returned.
· Submissions will be accepted beginning January 2, 2009 and must be postmarked by February 27, 2009. Poems submitted by email will not be accepted.
· Submit entries to: Poetry Competition
Akron Art Museum
One South High
Akron , OH 44308

Competition winners receive cash prizes of $125, $100 and $75. The top eight finalists will have the opportunity to read their poems (or have them read) at an awards ceremony during the New Words 2009 Poetry Reading on Sunday, April 19, 2009 from 2-4 p.m. at the Akron Art Museum. This event is free and open to the public. For more information on the New Words 2009 Poetry Contest and Reading , visit www.AkronArtMuseum.org or call 330-376-9186 x241.

The final judge for the competition is Northeast Ohio poet Lynn Powell, author of The Zones of Paradise and Old & New Testaments.New Words 2009 Poetry Contest and Reading is presented with generous support from Frances Buchholzer and Dr. John and Libby Jacobs.

Cinquain and Acrostic Poetry

While looking for prompts, I found this type of poem, Cinquain.

A Cinquain has a specific word count.

1. One word
2. Two words
3. Three words
4. Four words
5. One word

This seemed easy to me so I thought I'd give it a try. Let me know what you think.

• Mom
• Wise, beautiful
• creative, understanding, caring
• Loves being a parent.
• Mother

I used the bullets so that it wouldn't double space between each line.

Acrostic Poetry is a poem when the first letter of each line spells a word.

Kenny

Kind, caring, generous of heart.

Enthusiastic lover and husband

Naturally mechanically inclined.

Nutty word play witticisms.

Young at heart and spirit.

Let me know what you think of these types of poems or my poetry. Or maybe you just want to post your own poem here. Feel free to leave it in the comment section. -Rita

Poetry Readings at Java House

This event was a great success for both the Y-City Writers and Java House. A mere six of us from the writer's group showed up. However, we had over twenty people coming and going from the event.

It was a good thing that we had such a big turnout, because they kept us going. In fact, two people volunteered to begin. This was a very good thing since The Y-City Writers had a sudden case of shyness. We did eventually come around and most of us read our poetry or stories.

There are many talented people in Zanesville and I am glad so many turned out for the poetry readings. The age ranged from young adults to the over 50 crowd. There was a variety of styles and even a few young adults who read from their class notes. Well, not really notes, but a collection of observations. It was great fun.

This will probably be a monthly event. I will keep you updated on future developments.-Rita

Still Writing

What am I going to do now that National Poetry Month is over?

I will still write the occasional poem, especially as a writing exercise.

I am going to focus on flash fiction writing by trying all the exercises given on FlashXers.

I will seek out other writing prompts from various sources: http://www.ycitywriters.com/, http://www.writersdigest.com/, http://www.longridgewritersgroup.com/, http://www.creativewritingprompts.com/#, http://dragonwritingprompts.blogsome.com/

I will continue to observe others in hopes that great character will pop out at me. I will look through photographs and artwork for the next story. There are multiple ways to find inspiration and I will be on the look out for more. When I find them, I will share with you.

I am going to focus on primarily on Twilight Dance, I hope Miri's voice begins to speak to me soon. -Rita

Tapestry of Bronze Odes to the Olympians Contest

The winners and honorable mentions have been listed on the site. Alas, I am not among them. I guess, a humorous approach was not what they were looking for.

I am posting it here. I hope you enjoy.-Rita

Just another Ode to Zeus

Zeus you were born of Titans,
Soon leaving your mark,
Claiming your god-head,
And reigning over gods and Greeks
From your throne on Olympus.

As a ruler you were lacking,
Doling out your anger on heaven and earth.
You cared not for others,
Much preferring yourself.

You cheated on your wife.
No females were safe from your roving eyes.
Both seduction and rape you did bestow,
Spreading your seed above and below.

Oh, how you must have raged
When another took your place.
Your power faded, though forgotten you’re not,
For another Ode has just been written for you!
Rita
March 7, 2008

Diamonte

Here is a challenge for you. Write a Diamonte. A Diamonte is a diamond shaped poem, more or less. Here is the basics of the Diamonte:

1. Subject
2. 2 adjectives describing the subject
3. 3 words ending in -ing about the subject
4. 4 words, 1st two describe the subject the last 2 describe it's opposite
5. 3 word ending in -ing about the opposite
6. 2 adjectives describing the opposite
7. Opposite

Here is mine:

Sun

Hot, Fiery

Shining, burning, blazing

Warm light, cool reflection

Waxing, Glowing, Freezing

Dead, Cold

Moon

-Rita

A Pastiche

I have been looking for different ways to write poetry. I came across a Pastiche, though for the life of me, I can't find the site that gave me the idea today!

This site said to take a stanza from a well known poem and make it your own.

In writing a Pastiche:

1. The idiom is totally different.
2. The lines end with nonsense rhymes.
3. The piece is ruined with the smallest possible change.
4. The piece looks fresh and contemporary.

Wikipedia gives the meaning of Pastiche as hodgepodge or imitation.

Here is my attempt at rewriting an Emily Dickinson poem:

A Hummingbird and A Rose

• Leaf, petal and thorn.
• A hummingbird sounds its horn.
• Wings a flutter,
• they do clutter --
• around my petals to drink,
• until filled to the brink.
• They do fly with the breeze
• only to alight in the trees.

This is a rough draft, so be kind. -Rita

p.s. I am having trouble with my html today. I guess I am having brain fog...