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View Full Version : Challenge 138 - Voting


Surf
08-19-2008, 05:56 AM
Dancin' Man - 3 - I like the uses of the half rhymes and the way its in keeping with the imagery; very smooth and so on, but in some places some of the words seem a bit ugly and out of place (refract in the opening stanza being an example) while this can work sometimes as a juxtaposition, it can also distract from the piece a bit. I'd try and tone it down, or more aptly, smooth it over - its pure aesthetic, but the way the words sound can have a big effect on the reader. But other than that I enjoyed it. the repetition worked for you and felt like it was building up well throughout. The subject matter wasn't really my thing, but you dealt with it in a way which kept me interested rather than turning me off. Cool beans.


Surtr - 4 - The opening imagery is great; it does is job and immediately places the reader in the situation and works well in establishing the tone and mood. I would drop out 'the very fog' in both circumstances in which its used because it just sounds over the top and its not really necessary - the reader knows you're talking about the fog, you don't need to remind them. the opening and closing of the piece are its strong points, so I would work on he middle stanzas. The use of the statements to anchor the second third and forth stanzas could work, but I think in this instance it seems a bit contrived. Its very melodramatic and I think takes away from the tone. There's nothing wrong with using the verbs to show a reader what's happening, but when they're this explicit and instructional its too forceful. Try and say the same thing (because it works as a structuring device), but in a more subtle way, rather than an order. But the closing is good. Not too sure about the ending question, but it seems to fit in with what you're trying to say. The way its used it just seems like a rushed ending. I wouldn't really change it though, its fine.


RunAmokRampant - 2 - I'll go crit in your thread because I missed it earlier

Powerban - 6 - Like people say below me, its too short. There's ideas here and some good images but its not given enough grounding or expanded enough. there's lots of potential, but it hasn't been capitalised upon.

Surf surf serf serve serb certain 50 cent a game of boggle


Pixiesfanyo - 1 - I'm going to disagree completely with Dancin' Man here, I think the ideas are tied together really well. I love the way the gone with the wind references are worked into the narrative and character. I can't say anything bad about it, I really dug it. Reminded me of Bukowski as well.


Ohh - 5 - I criticised PowerBan's for being too short, and tis was shorter, but it felt more complete. There was the whole thing and all in the five lines. It works well on its own, but there wasn't really enough here to rank it any higher. It only had one idea, and it was fully realised, but it didn't invite rereading as much as some of the others. Welcome to the competition man, good start.


crits done.

RunAmokRampant
08-19-2008, 07:05 AM
Dancin' Man 1
It's good bro. Some of the alliterations were a little repetitive and heavy handed though, makes it read more robotic like whether thats intended or not.

Surtr 4
A little underdone, could have explored the notion of the fog a lot more, perhaps another metaphor or image to really flesh out the spectral and vague qualities that a fog has. Keep an eye out for tense change as well.

Powerban 5
Too chunky with big and clunky concepts like honesty, sadness, and emptyness. Try to emulate those concepts/feelings without actually using those words.


Surf 2
This was quite good actually, I'm not sure how often you delve into more of a narrated style of poetry, but this reads very well and the repetition rings out the piece very nicely. Maybe could added something to give a more climactic feel toward the end or restructure the last few stanza to give a sense of build up.

Pixiesfanyo 3
Quite novel and has a unique anti-flow to it but imo full stops become tiring and doesn't give that same effect like someone like Dickinson who uses dashes to achieve that staccato kind of feel.

Ohh 6
I don't know about this. It tries to be profound with a familiar phrase but just feels rushed and underdeveloped.

Dancin' Man
08-19-2008, 07:52 AM
Dancin' Man - 7000
Surtr - 3 - I really like this except that it feels clumsy to me. Some of the images feel intentionally vague or esoteric and I'd like to be able to connect with this more because I like how it is written, both formatting and rhythm.
RunAmokRampant - 2 - My favorite part is the constant images and references to glass throughout. It became a crucial part of your lyric. Cool language too.
Powerban - 6 - I don't get it. Enter again next time but give yourself a little more length to explain yourself.
Surf -1 - This is really awesome. You provide some amazing images (fishscales) and it feels like you are steadily guiding the reader through. Well constructed overall.
Pixiesfanyo - 5 - This reads to me like some aesop rock-esque intellectual gibberish. It feels like a series of ideas slung together, uncomfortably. There is a sharp vitriol experienced from reading this, but it dulls to blunt by the end. Let me explain. My issue is not with the subject matter. I don't like how it's written. It's got some good ideas, but I was really put off by the presentation. It was too loose for me.
Ohh - 4 - I like how straightforward this is. I imagine some very short song to accompany it as well. I'd be pissed listening to an album of songs this short, but once in a while, it works. This is one of those times. On the other hand, it keeps provoking thought because it only mostly makes sense to me, but it is easy to remember and repeat. It's cool. Write something longer next time.

The Olympics are over.

Powerban
08-19-2008, 08:17 AM
Dancin' Man 1 - I really liked how this peice flowed nicely throughout, didn't seem like there was any awkward moments.

Surtr 5 - Some of the parts seem too forced to fit into the structure, With a few changes in that aspect it could be good.

RunAmokRampant 2 - This one grew on me each time I read it and i'm also a sucker for this type of writing in general.

Powerban

Surf 4 - The imagery is great, maybe even the best out of all entries. There is just something about it that I don't quite like. I'm not sure what it is as I can't clearly put my finger on it.

Pixiesfanyo 3 - I didn't like this at first but again this grew on me as the story progression fitted nicely with the peice. Left me wanting more though.

Ohh 6 - Too short, like mine lol. Interesting though.

As for not getting my one, it's understood and noted. It was just about how the tide sweeps away the crabs homes. More eleaboration next time perhaps.

pixiesfanyo
08-20-2008, 04:08 PM
Dancin' Man 2
Surtr 5
RunAmokRampant 3
Powerban 4
Surf 1
Ohh 6

Ohh
08-24-2008, 06:17 PM
pixiesfanyo
dancinman
sutr
surf
runamokrampant
powerban


EDIT:
btw, when is the next challenge coming? mine was horrible this round.

DFelon204409
08-24-2008, 07:24 PM
I'm pretty sure crits are 100% required.

Ohh
08-24-2008, 08:03 PM
well ill crit it eventually

Dancin' Man
08-24-2008, 10:31 PM
Not technically, but you should. I had to check the rules to be sure.