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check out the keyboard cowboy thread, please

I've been reading right along; but trying to stay out of the fray [not a terribly difficult task ] ~ my suggestion is that, since Midnight came up with the suggestion of selecting another phrase, Midnight be the one to choose it. Not bad reasoning, from where I sit

No Lizzytysh. I want to write a poem. Give us a theme.

Lizzytysh, suggesting a theme will not harm your well-known Swiss stance of neutrality.

OK, Midnight, just for you ~ borrowing from, but with no possible preconceived poem on the horizon, Critic2:

"Swiss stance of neutrality" ~ there you go.

I think that's a lovely, gentle phrase, poetic in itself. For this purpose, a theme.

Oh, dear ~ now I read there has to be a deadline! Well, I did my part with the theme. Someone else can do the deadline. Then, comes the judge ~ which would be anonymous voting by anyone interested, right? However, the 'why' of a poetry contest here still evades me . I prefer to think of it as a poetry exercise. For those who want to compete, speak harshly of others' poetic efforts, or both, there are certainly plenty of other places to go. Including one, final destination, the mention of which I couldn't resist .

"Swiss stance of neutrality" oy!

extend that deadline beyond Midnight please.

Poetry exercise- yes, much nicer.

Judge- you of course, who else! I didn't imagine that we would pass comments on each other's work just leave it all to your wisdom.

Could you respond with a little critique of each piece. In the end it will just be your view, that's all.

Each entrant would have to send you a private message first claiming their piece. We trust you not to reveal IDs.

Lizzytysh, I do not trust C2. He would be clever enough to bait you with that Swiss stance of neutrality. I think you fell into his trap. I'm sure of it. YOU must think of one. Something LCish.

not a speed contest Midnight, although I am very happy to play in one of those as well.

Oddly enough I have no pre-prepared masterpieces concerning the Swiss stance of neutrality!

deleted.

How about it Martine. Let's everybody live dangerously and write a poem for the "exercise." As soon as Lizzytysh comes up with a theme.

C2, I think I would need a deadline of 72 hours minimum. Also, Lizzytysh would need to announce ahead of time the time when she will announce the theme. So everyone can get to the starting gate at the same time.

Oh, good heavens ~ the distrust is too pervasive. I honestly don't think that was a 'plant' ~ however, let's go with an LC'ish one.

Me the judge!?! No way! I was to be allowed to sit back and luxuriate in my "well known Swiss stance of neutrality"! From that, I refuse to budge! One must seek further ~ how about LaurieAK ~ to be the judge. She has experience in that realm. Andrew McGeever is another good choice. Or, perhaps, a panel of two ~ male and female perspective, both poets. I don't think the identities should be revealed, though. Just let the winner bask in their knowing how they were judged.

Now, I've got to think of something. You've really complicated my day now !

Ah, good idea, Midnight. How about tomorrow [August 22, 1:00 PM EST ~ that would be 5:00 PM GMT].

I had ideas beginning for the directions people could have gone with the Swiss theme, too ~ including the current, Iraq war ~ or lack of it!

72 hours is a good idea. it allows for the distraction of little things like work and family but it is not so long that any small interest fades away.

perhaps Lizzy could unveil her topic over the next day or so with a deadline therefore of Monday?

It seems Martine may be suggesting paranoia as a possible topic but I think it should be a topic where no-one has such deep personal experience.

I meant that I would announce the topic tomorrow at the above, said time. The 72-hours deadline sounds good ~ but GEESH! I am not the critic, nor the judge, when it comes to poetry standards ~ I can't tell a quatrain from an el-train! All I've ever done here is attempt to describe why I like something, how or why it touches me. But, evaluation of the merits of the poem, by official standards, I've for excellent reasons stayed out of that realm, altogether.