Hello everybody, here are the results of round 1. Before I say anything else, I would like to say it was very difficult choosing the winner. I've had to read and read, over and over again to choose the winner. I'd also like to say great job to everyone, and thank you for entering. Now, the winners have been chosen, and this is final. So without further ado, here are the winners:
Runner Up
Yet Another DayA line my mother says often, "Another day, another dollar!"
Mother, such as I wish not to call her
I was birthed from her, sure
but, quite frankly, I wish not to see her.
I prepared to leave the house
Quietly, like a mouse
And if anger betrothed her
Took flight with the grace of a grouse
I drove down the rural road
My burdens, I towed
Thinking what'd it be like
If farewell I bode.
Not many would mind
Not many would care
Nowadays I find
Nothing can fix my blank stare
School tought me nothing
"You'll need this in life." the teachers, bluffing
The children, scuffling
The pain, stinging
Once again, home that didn't feel as such
No welcome, I expected as much.
The anger lingered
I felt its coarse touch
I spent my time in other places
In my room I sat in stasis
My mind lost in what was available
Of my life, this was the basis
But not much later it was time to leave
Thus, I grieve
But I set off anyways
Later, more, will I achieve
What is sadness to a man who is never happy?
I can not find the answer
Though I feel as though I am the perfect specimen
Perhaps, though, I am too sad to know what happiness is?
By @coleslaw35
This poem paints a great story to tell, showing what a sad life one can endure in just one day. I loved it because of it's portrayal and questioning of the difficulties in one's life. Running away from one's mother is a hard thing to do, and what's harder is to turn that into literature. The story you've portrayed left me wondering what else had happened, but also left me feeling sad, hoping that this was just a story. Great job! You've turned a hard experience into a detailed and rhythmic poem.
Winner
CarnivalWretched crooks selling trinkets
It is all the rage in life
Welcome children! Get tickets
for the best show of our time!
Watch the lion jump through fire,
emerge and roar so loudly,
clowns who face life with satire,
and kids cheering so wildly
I once sat there watching stunned
all the great breathtaking feats
so amazed yet so appalled
at all of those taken seats
In the end it goes to show
where all the real cruelty is.
Laughing jugglers who know how
to do what they need to please.
What is wrong with all these people?
Applauding thunderously
How can they not see what's simple,
plain and visible so brightly?
All I see is suffering
In these eyes, in every roar
Everything, so depressing
while everyone yells for 'more'
By @Doombreed
What can I say? It was a very well thought out, rhythmic, and fascinating poem. You've painted the a story of carnival which was meant to make people happy, but underneath lies a different story. This day in one's life shows how sharp one's eyes can be. What is truly a sad story is often mistaken by happiness and joy. The sacrifice of other's happiness in exchange for the happiness of a crowd is truly a sad thing, and it happens almost every day. That is why I love this poem, because it portrays the faces behind masks. Well done in turning your thoughts of that day into a poem!
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The winners should receive a merit very soon.
@Doombreed, would you now like to choose round 2's theme?
Thank you to everyone who participated, and I hope to see you all in round 2.