First, I will post the overall rules, and then I will post the specifics about this week.
Original rules, as stated by Ubertuna:
It must fit the week's theme. It must be submitted by the deadline. It cannot have inappropriate language in it. It cannot be stolen (if you plagiarize, we will find you).
Also:
The poem must be created for this contest A user cannot win two weeks in a row (though everyone is welcome to submit every week!) Only one submission per user will be accepted
As we all know, the winner will recieve a merit, and their poem will be featured on the _Poetry_ page.
OK, on to this week's topic...Again, we are having a style instead of a theme. Also, this week we are having TWO WEEKS to do it, instead of the usual one. Why? Because this will be an EPIC poem. Or, rather, a parody of an epic poem. Generally, epic poetry is very long, and tells the serious story of a heroic figure. Well, this week, the epic figure is YOU! Write a long poem (I'll leave the definition of 'long' up to you, but give it a good go) about the heroic story of you! It can be silly, serious, whatever... just have fun with it. You have two weeks, so have a great time!
>.> No they weren't, keen observation. Unfortuneatly circumstances beyond my control have made me unable to get sufficient time to judge, review and post. So, since today is finally my free day you shall have your results, I apologize.
However, a note to those of you who are new, or just unable to comprehend the time it takes to judge these things; it isn't as easy as you would expect. Also, the former judge, Parsat, was fantastic, so I try to match that.
Our Politicians control us; The Scientist, they guide us through; The Ignorant just lead us on, The Ignorant just lead us on.
Sheep; we're lead down to the slaughter, Invisible Hands help us through. How Ignorant! We lead ourselves. How Ignorant! We lead ourselves.
Can't you see as we bleed here, The Stars that shine within our eyes? Juxtaposed; Hallowed policy, Juxtaposed; Hallowed policy.
You cast up dust to hide behind, Atleast we'll know one certain fact: That we know Death will take us home, Look! Death has come to take us home.
I really enjoyed the repetitive lines in this one. I also enjoyed the fact that you didn't outright state the theme within the poem. It makes digging for it part of the experience, however, it wasn't hard. The title and subject gave it away. The thing unfound? The Truth.
Second Place: Quirinus1
Existentialism
Step by step, closer I come, touching the rocks, rugged. I feel the moist, the ages, reminding my brief existence.
There I seek my refuge, it is somewhat grey, dark. Not foul, with smell, but cleansing, as if it all was artificial, a fraud.
I find a rock to sit, to think, clean water drips down from above, it fills a pond, erodes the stone, steels his precious metals. Thief!
Yelling at water. Then silence: Darkness looks at me, the intruder. Almost cursing me, for breaking the spell: almost blaming me, for my pure existence.
His point made clear, I give in, one solution remains, the eternal one. I seek for a means to end this, this lingering, between death and life.
Does it matter? That I was here? Did it make a difference? And you? What is your purpose of being? Existing for the sake of existing?
That will not suffice.
A great title for a great poem. I particularly enjoyed this poem, because it reflected the title perfectly. The flow and rhythm was also top notch. I like how you incorporated the philosophical questioning with the metaphorical descriptions within your poem. The finishing touch, actually answering your own rhetoric was nicely done as well.
First Place and Merit Winner: Hypermnestra
Carpe Diem
Carpe diem! Or so we're told It means to seize the day They say "risks pay a hundredfold, Don't throw your life away"
A thing unfound might just as well Be gone, it's not enough To live, for the world you must tell You've diamonds* in the rough
A treasure, if it's left unfound Will crumble into dust And riches, though they may abound Eventually** will rust.
A thing unfound is not the worst: The thing that truly appalls Is when, in blindness, you're immersed And you do not look at all
This one may take some explaining... Right. So this was a real toss up between first and second place. I picked this poem because even though there doesn't seem to be a lot on the surface it has a lot of depth. This one focussed on the theme in a different manner that appealed to me, instead of looking for something, or even questioning after this unfound thing, subject of this poem was not to look. In fact, to find the unfound one must look away. The subtlety within this poem is exquisit, and while there may be technical errors I found this poem echoing a truth. All things will fade in time, thus to look is to never find.
Take a good look at that theme writers. While it may look very simple I am hoping to challenge your creativity and subtlety once again. You see, the theme not only reflects a person, but an idea. And it doesn't have to reflect yourself at all. Keep that in mind.
Also, I apologize once more for the severely late judging
Remember being young, spirited and care-free? Not a worry in the world, just being happy. Going out of your way to blow a dandilion, Making selfish wishes, having heard none's crying.
Remember turning five, they shipped you away? But you did not care, for you came home everyday. Or maybe they kept you at home to learn, To wonder of the world, of what you could earn.
Remember graduating, from the first state of learning? Were you 11, or 12, or did you stay and keep earning? It was a beautiful time, full of new hopes, new dreams, But there was soon a new place, full of gloom and greed.
Remember attending the all new school? Full of mean girls and bullies, you learn people are cruel But, yet, you kept bright, on the right path. For that, I am proud, of your chosen track.
Think of what's ahead, a whole other world! Finished learning, a passion, growing more bold. Someday, getting married, having kids of your own, Turning a cold house into your warm home.
And yes, someday, you will grow old. Someday, you'll be through, and become cold. But, child, worry not, about when your time will pass, For today, and forever, you have a world to attack.
The universe cares not that you are here, What are you but a lonely speck of dust? Existence, less than what it may appear.
You need not shout, for you they will not hear. And if they do, they'll cry out in disgust. The universe cares not that you are here.
Your purpose in this world is not so clear. It's neither beneficial nor unjust. Existence, less than what it may appear.
Continuing to fade away each year, You realize you barely cease to rust. The universe cares not that you are here.
The story of your life is insincere. There's nobody alive who you can trust. Existence, less than what it may appear.
Let go of everything you've ever feared. Make all your goals and wisdom more robust. The universe cares not that you are here. Existence, less than what it may appear.
