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Sol Magazine (C) 1998
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DECEMBER'S WINNER'S ISSUE: Only the winners are shown here.
For a full copy of Sol Magazine, write and ask us.
Twice a month, Sol Magazine sponsors poetry contests, and from the results, produces an electronic poetry magazine, published on the last day of each month.
The topics are on a variety of subjects about nature and the nature
of humanity. Our purpose: to foster the reading and writing of short
poetry.
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Poetry judge, sponsor, and guest editor this month: John E. Rice.
This Issue dedicated to his daughter, Beverly T. Rice, "her poetry
is in her teaching." Beverly's birthday is this month.
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First Place Poets Winner:
Spies
1. Something Spiritual - Chant once daily, "I am in touch with
my negligence."
2. Preposterously Physical - Make an impossibly-out-of-reach
weight goal.
3. Intriguingly Intellectual - Read all of the top best sellers
each month.
4. Emotional Evolutions - Hold breath till turning blue before
yelling at kids.
5. Social Sycophant - Climb the ladder to social success by telling
jokes received in e-mail.
Marsha R. Steed, Citrus Heights, CA
Poet's Note: "There are two ways of spreading light: To
be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it." by Edith Wharton.
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NATURE IN WINTER - Haiku -
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Haiku captures a keenly perceived moment in which nature is linked
to human nature. From the Handbook of Poetic Forms:
1) all involve nature
2) words and expressions are simple
3) relate to things directly
4) no metaphors or similes
5) almost no adjectives with little punctuation
Some say haiku must have 17 syllables arranged 5/7/5 in lines 1, 2, and 3. Traditional Japanese haiku poets count "sounds," not syllables. The 17 syllables of the traditional haiku take about the same length of time to say as 12 to 15 English syllables. Most North American haiku poets write haiku in English with fewer than 17 syllables.
Today many poets simply write haiku in three short lines.
To make haiku that sound traditional, we asked our poets to show the reader something to look at or hear or smell or taste or touch, to let their haiku have 3 lines with the first and last a bit shorter than the middle, and not add words to fill out the pattern.
Haiku: short, direct, to the point...pure poetry.
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4TH PLACE
Ice-laden branches
touched by wind groan and snap
arthritic movements.
Ted Badger, Eureka Springs, AR
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5TH PLACE
Morning sun
Transforming icicles
Into prisms
Lois Lay Castiglioni, Galveston
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3RD PLACE
moon
wearing icy halo
promise of snow
Kay Lay Earnest, Smyrna, GA
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2ND PLACE
Snow
Softly falling
Silence
Jim Lay, Calhoun, GA
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HONORABLE MENTION
Puffs of smoky air
Emerge from frozen noses
Breathed in crystal clouds
Jade Walker, Lake Worth, FL
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1ST PLACE
golden rod stalks
caught in afternoon sun
project from snow
Betty Ann Whitney, Wesley Chapel, FL
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FEATURED POETRY WEBSITE FOR DECEMBER - by Craig Tigerman:
Poetry Reference Library:
http://library.utoronto.ca/www/utel/rp/intro.html
A site for students and scholars, an extensive resource.
Poetry Websites: write to us with a short description of your
website, and we may feature it here in Sol Magazine.
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PEOPLE IN WINTER - Not Haiku -
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Not Haiku is a parody of Haiku, not to be taken too seriously, just
a way to have fun with the form.
To quote the creator of "Not Haiku": "wording should be direct,
maybe a little crazy, always humorous. Three lines exactly, punctuation
demanded somewhere in the one word title, but not allowed in the body of
the poem. No more than eight words on a line, rhyme encouraged!"
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HONORABLE MENTION
Santa!
With his finger placed
aside of his nose he wished
he had some Kleenex
Ted Badger, Eureka Springs, AR
Ted is editor of "Lucidity Magazine", host of the annual Lucidity Poetry
Retreat in Eureka Springs, where many wonderful writers meet for socializing
and excellent workshops. "A feast for poets!" Dates of this
year's conference: April 20-21-22 1999.
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1ST PLACE
Enlightenment?
wind whispering life's meaning sent me rushing home
my wife said tell me later dear
I'm talking on the phone
Don Castiglioni, Austin, TX
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2ND PLACE
Resolutions!
starting something new
to your nature be true
don't start today when next week will do
Kay Castiglioni, Houston, TX
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HONORABLE MENTION
Procrasticraft!
Shoppers madly push their cart
Unwrapped gifts are just the start
Last-minute buying isn't smart
Shelly L. Crabtree, Enid OK
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3RD PLACE
Meltdown!
I built my snowman proud and tall
next day he disappeared
was he there at all
Emily Katherine Earnest, Smyrna, GA
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HONORABLE MENTION
Fainthearted?
snowboarding ice skating
bobsledding
winter outdoorsman's desire
me I sit toasting toes by the fire
Kay Lay Earnest, Smyrna, GA
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Show-offs!
plunge through the ice
Polar Bear Club
I would go glub glub glub
Milton S. Earnest, Smyrna, GA
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4TH PLACE
Instructor?
I was teaching as happy as could be
Until the computer came along
Now my students are teaching me
Jim Lay, Calhoun, GA
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HONORABLE MENTION
Profanity!
sidewalk glazed with icicle drip
down falls a no-gentleman who slips
cursive as flourishing penmanship
Tom Padgett, Bolivar, MO
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END
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Send comments, questions, advice to: DMHT67B@Prodigy.com
Snail mail: Sol Magazine, P.O. Box 580037, Houston, TX
77258-0037
Phone number: (281) 333-3741
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So you want to be judge, guest editor, interviewee? Tell us.
We may have just the spot for you. Judges are generally asked to
write a guest editorial before being asked to judge a contest.
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All poetry remains the property of the poet. NONE may be reproduced
without permission of Sol Magazine. Electronic forwarding is permitted
as long as no portion of this magazine is changed and all credits are given.
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See our contest website or last contest for current guidelines.
We do not accept entries that make use of graphic language, touch on
partisan politics, or support particular religious views.
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We correct grammar and spelling errors and sometimes change punctuation
without asking for permission or forgiveness.
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Past Sponsors - 1998:
Lois Lay Castiglioni, Steven Cox, Sharon Goodwin, Jean McAllister, Drs Stella and Bogdan Nowicki, John Rice, Rita Smithuysen, Leo Waltz, and Patsy Williams.
For a look at Steven's website, go to:
http://www.mectec.com/nevets
or
http://www.mectec.com
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Donors of books:
Lois Lay Castiglioni, Joan Reeves, Kathleen Elizabeth Schaefer.
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Current Sponsors - 1999:
January: Emily Katherine Earnest, Brad Millar, Mary Jean Millar, Leo Waltz.
New sponsors always welcomed. Thanks for your support.
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An interesting website (run by Bonnie Williams, one of our judges and
a First Place Poet) is http://pages.prodigy.com/artscafe
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Sol Magazine (C) 1998
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