Sol Magazine
July 2000 Edition

Sol Magazine © 2000
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The use of Sol Magazine's e-mail address for anything except entering a contest is not permitted.  Do not add us to any distribution list without our permission.
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Twice a month, Sol Magazine sponsors poetry contests.  From the results, we produce an electronic poetry magazine.  It is published on or near the last day of each month.  The winners are posted to our website at:

http://pages.prodigy.com/sol_magazine
 

Also posted are additional features and articles.

Our topics touch a variety of subjects about nature and the nature of humanity.  Our purpose is to educate poets, and to foster the reading and writing of short poetry.  We are not a vanity press.  Not every poem submitted will be published.
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CONTENTS:

WELCOME
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
POETRY WORKS:  COMPETITION POETRY
TOPIC ONE:  FIREWORKS
SPOTLIGHT:  Words Elude Me. . . A review.
NATURE
ALPHA POET'S CONTEST:  AMERICA - LOVE IT OR CHANGE IT.



WELCOME:  Nicki Miller, Sam Siegel, Jay Stinson, Andrea M. Zander.


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

MIXED FEELINGS:  Had a slight stroke and very large ruptured disk at the end of March and have been trying to get back to where I was then ever since. Just had our first two grandchildren get married within six weeks.  What fun!  They both wanted poems to read at their weddings.  Beverly Steward, Santa Barbara, CA
SAD NEWS:  Adelaide W. Ferguson, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Romance Writers of America and the Bay Area Writers League in Seabrook, Texas, passed away on June 23, 2000.

 



 

POETRY WORKS
An editorial by Mary Margaret Carlisle, Managing Editor
Competition poetry - what is it all about?  It is about writing the very best poem possible, with no grammar or spelling errors, rules followed, and a deadline (timelimit) met.

Sometimes this means writing to set forms and themes.  If you are asked to write a cinquain, do not turn in a quatrain or a haiku.

If asked for a title, do not use the topic as an easy out.  Titles that grab the reader may be given a second look by a judge.

When requested to use a certain topic, do not give weight to any other subject unless comparing or contrasting.  If asked to speak of the moon, why bring up the beauty of the ocean, unless to explain how that body of water showcases the moon's glory?



TOPIC ONE:  FIREWORKS
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JUDGE'S PANEL:  PAT BARBER, MARTHA KIRBY CAPO, CRAIG TIGERMAN, PAULA BENTLEY.
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Celebration of a Birth
 

Rending the silence of the darkness
With bright color and booming sound
Rainbows shape and fall to the ground
The capstone to our nation's birthday
 

Michelle Angelini, Pasadena, CA
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Patriotic Thrill
 

The sound of Sousa marches is throbbing by.
Rockets whistle, crackling bursts design
flags and petals across the darkened sky.
Patriotic shivers scamper down my spine.
 

Roberta Pipes Bowman, Fort Worth, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Engages multiple senses through hearing, sight, feeling; creative diction with verbs -  throb, whistle, design, scamper.  This poem obeys the journalistic rules of giving the reader something to see, hear and feel, telling us who, what, where and when by the end.  Excellent work.
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THIRD PLACE
After the Show
 

I close my eyes momentarily: tired, smiling,
And pink and white neon lines still
Etch the sleepy darkness behind my lids
This early fifth of July.
 

Coke Brown Jr., Fort Worth, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Making this a personal account
carries us along in a more intimate manner.
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Lost Meaning
 

The drama of death for freedom
Fades in the burst of bright celebrations
When a nine-year old pauses from his Game Boy
To define forth of  July 4 as - "Fireworks"
 

Don Castiglioni, Galveston, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Dramatic comparison.
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HONORABLE MENTION
Pacemaker
 

One kiss
Sent his heart soaring, throbbing
To the staccato rhythm
Of fireworks on the Fourth of July
 

Lois Lay Castiglioni, Galveston, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Clever interplay between title and body of poem.  The irregular, interrupted rhythm of this poem reflects the irregular, interrupted pattern of fireworks.  Nicely done!
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Patriot's Echo
 

Cannon volleys quake the earth
Shatter silence of the night
Spatter sky with colored light
Stir echoes of freedom's birth
 

Helen David, Stamford, CT
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Well done description of a difficult topic.
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SECOND PLACE
Inspiration
 

Amish quilts, like fireworks against the night sky
pair complimentary colors on a field of black
adding brilliance to hues that alone
fade into the ordinary
 

Diane M. Davis, Chelmsford, MA
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Vivid analogy between the brilliant hues of Amish quilts and those of fireworks, both set against a black background.  The skilled use of words paints a pattern that is visible to the user...nicely done.
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Pride
 

Kaleidoscopic patterns
Of red, white and blue fireworks
Send ripples of national pride
Through the flag waving crowd
 

Kay Lay Earnest, Smyrna, GA
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Stirring account of this event.
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Shattered Stars
 

Sparklers bob back and forth through fields
held tight by bright-eyed children
who wait for darkness to descend
and shattered stars to thrill them.
 

Maryann Hazen-Stearns, Ellenville, NY
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  The pace carries us along for the ride.  A sweet picture, chubby hands waving sparklers.  This poem relies on the power of anticipation to weave its spell.
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Freedom
 

Joining stars up in the sky
Brilliant sparks above the trees
Floating freely in the breeze
Celebration--fourth of July
 

Julia Jarmusz, Fort Worth, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  The fireworks float like flags in this sky.  Nicely written.
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Independence
 

Flares of rockets soaring high
Up into the nightly sky
Sizzling bursts of starry light
Blazing runs boom and ignite
 

Elinor Burger Kapsar, Hazelwood, MO
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Visual effects well done.
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Immortality
 

Shimmering streaks and thunderous rolls
Herald freedom's celebration
Unextinguished sparks of those brave souls
Who died for our emancipation
 

Kathy Kehrli, Factoryville, PA
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Good use of rhyme. Poem does a nice job of reminding us why we're being treated to fireworks displays. The third line is simply lovely.  Good solid rhythm and rhyme.  This poem strikes to the heart of the holiday's
significance, honoring those who gave their lives as "unextinguished sparks."   Beautiful rhyme and easy reading. Let us always remember our freedom's celebration, and those souls who died.  The first line is a firework all its own.
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FIRST PLACE - Winner of a $20.00 electronic book gift certificate

Sacrificial Flowers
 

Fire flowers blossom
against a startled sky,
reminders of past sacrifice
made in a eagle's eye.
 

C. Lawton-Livingstone, Colchester, UK

JUDGES' COMMENTS:  This poem relies on a simple line scheme to create the impact of brevity.  Phrasings are lovely, haiku-like in their shortness of phrase, but the rhyme strengthens the lines' shortness.  The phrase "fire flowers" is a unique way of viewing fireworks.  The personification of the sky as being "startled" parallels that first delicious jump we always experience with the first thunderous boom of fireworks.  The tie from present to past is neatly done in the last two lines.  Excellent use of "eagle's eye" to illustrate freedom and the looking forward to a new nation.
Perfect rhythm, beautiful statement with economy of words.
Alliteration in first two lines and hauntingly beautiful image at the end enhance this poem.  Lovely use of the English language. This piece provides more than the usual imagery.
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Glitter
 

Array of color
Fireworks burst in the sky
Sweet dreams to the once blackened night
Now engulfed by this rainbow of light.
 

Nicole Nostramo, Elmwood Park, NJ
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Visual effects well done.
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Competition
 

From the bandstand
watching the fireworks
compete with the
shooting stars.
 

Janet Parker, Leesburg, FL
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  This poet became part of the action.
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HONORABLE MENTION
Heavenly Reminders
 

Fourth of July fireworks outdo the stars, fill the sky--
Ooh, Aah--we gasp, then suddenly solemn, remember
The primary color of their costs, red--red--spectacular
Singular flashes of courage, splattered on earth.
 

Sarah Quigley, Galveston, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  An outstanding effort. The last two
lines are wonderfully written. Double meaning of "primary" is very clever, and the repetition "red--red" is startling and clever as well. Last line is almost a poem in itself. Superb.
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America's Birthday Party
 

Gasps, applause greet the night sky magic,
Freedom explodes in thunderous technicolor,
Shooting stars freefall and fade to billowed puffs,
Onlookers share flashbulbs of unity waving red, white and blue.
 

Mary Pat Raferty, Sugar Land, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Visual effects effectively described.
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Highlighted Memories
 

Bright fireworks fall from heaven above
In celestial cascades of light,
In moments, the colors will all disappear--
Yet be remembered for all of your life.
 

Lynne Remick, Nesconset, NY
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Impressive point (the colors may go, but be remembered) contrasting fleeting colors and lasting memories.
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Fireworks
 

Children's laughter muffled
by rapid gunfire delight;
prismatic strobe-lights
created by multicolored lightning.
 

Brenda Roberts, Fort Worth, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Imaginative use of highlighting and specialized lighting effects.  The title of this electric piece is our only clue that this poem is about anything other than nature.
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Shared Celebration
 

Thousands of watchings crowd nearby locations,
then thundering displays soon cover this nation
with crowds joined together in hushed sound ovations
as each cannon's flash frees our colors' celebration.
 

Craig Soderquist, Universal City, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Eloquent word painting of this universal event.
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Sweet Patriots
 

Lollipop salutes to the Fourth
Little ones thrust their candied pointers skyward.
Gleeful squeals punctuate each fireworks pop
Fall silent as the sky drips color.
 

Patricia A. Tabella, Providence, RI
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  The field of small children awed by the fireworks made this judge laugh.  Love the second and last lines.  Very imaginative.
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HONORABLE MENTION
This Fire, Works
 

Black powered puffs pop and poof, seek to fill
A darkened, highrise, domed, expectant sky.
Faces of Americans, silhouetted celebrants,
Illuminate, reflecting bright, continuing hopes.
 

Claiborne Schley Walsh, Montrose, AL
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Clever title, positive message of hope accentuates our hopes for the future.  Excellent title.  A clever play on the old word;  wonderful alliteration in the first line, as well as descriptives of the sky in the second.  Excellent parallel between the independence and fire of the fireworks as mirrored in the hope found in Americans' faces and hearts.  Here, the symbol for independence's celebration becomes the reflector of the continuing hopes of a nation.  Well done.



SPOTLIGHT:
Paula M. White's new book:  Words Elude Me. . .
by Jean McAllister, Book Reviewer
Amazing!  That is the opening of one of the many rich and surprising poems in this quite stunning three part collection by Paula White.  This particular poem, among others, is untitled.  Its exclamatory beginning takes hold of the reader's imagination, running pellmell through the brief lines while one wonders WHAT is so amazing?  This is a most arresting and effective verbal ecstasy about a regular springtime phenomenon.
 

The first section, "Words. . .," includes a rip-roaring, long, but well-sustained diatribe against Virginia Woolf.  Called "Disbelief," the poem provides a power-punch against the undefended novelist for never having written a poem.  The concise and unusual diction of White's poems brings Gerard Manley Hopkins to mind.
 

In the middle section, "Elude. . .," there is a striking portrayal of the heartbreaking legend of Daedalus and Icarus.  Given in simple, archaic-sounding ballad style, this poetry is sweetly affecting.
 

White reveals a strong passion for the drama and grace of her faith, and these elements are beautifully expressed in several poems in the third section, "Me. . ."  "Illumination de la Coeur" (Illumination of the Heart) might resonate with anyone whose heart is assailed by the seemingly overpowering bleakness of the world.  There is hope and light, and even the tiniest sliver is enough.
 

The range of poetic styles in White's work, from simple rhymed verse to extremely complex blank verse, studded with internal rhyming and near-rhymes, attests to the maturity, vitality, and imaginative power of this poet.  Readers will be enriched, wherever they dip into this lovely collection.
 

To see samples of White's work (AKA Paula M. Bentley, Assistant Editor of Sol Magazine) go to http://www.crosswinds.net/~catpoet
 

NATURE
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JUDGES' PANEL:  Roberta Bowman, Lynette Bowen, Roger Bernabo.
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HONORABLE MENTION
 

She dances as she
sculpts a garden out of silk
sowing deadly ground.
 

Ron Blanton, Smyrna, GA
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Lovely to read. Mystical.
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HONORABLE MENTION
 

white dandelions in grass
seeds explode away and
ride the wind
 

Coke Brown Jr., Fort Worth, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Summer!  Vivid picture.  Powerful images, excellent action, good flow.  Life giving life.
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HONORABLE MENTION
 

tree full of gold
migrating
monarchs
 

Lois Lay Castiglioni Galveston, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Excellent description.  Rich image in few words.  Excellent use of alliteration.  Memorable scene.
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city park in May
thick perfume of gardenias
pigeons strut in dust
 

SuzAnne C. Cole, Houston, Texas
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Restful description.  Strong and engaging imagery.
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take one deep breath first
look now at something nearby
revere its nature
 

Warner D. Conarton, Zephyrhills, FL
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Good advice.  Often taken for granted.  A prayer in three lines.
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Warm summer breezes
usher waves
to shore's embrace
 

Helen David, Stamford, CT
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Nice visit to the beach.  Peaceful scene.
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rose bush chopped at the roots
greens again
choosing new possibilities
 

Diane M. Davis, Chelmsford, MA
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Hope reigns.
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frosty window pane
crackling fire
warm heart
 

Emily Katherine Earnest, Smyrna, GA
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Delighful.  Like a Christmas card.
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phlox fold leaves to stem
praying for
end of drought
 

Kay Lay Earnest, Smyrna, GA
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Excellent vision of leaves folded in prayer.  Good imagery.  Poet uses alliteration and consonance nicely.
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zing on wing in spring
tiny Hummer comes to feed
slights my sight in flight
 

Maryann Hazen-Stearns, Ellenville, NY
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Rhyme is not used in Haiku, but was effectively used in this triplet.  Light and playful mood.  Lively.  Clever last line.
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Catfish in the pond
Nibbled at a worm
Summer meal on the farm
 

Julia Jarmusz, Ft. Worth, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Original.  Peaceful.  Cycle of life well told.  Simple imagery, lilting cadence, use of assonace and consonance throughout to create a connected flow in sound and image.
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Blazed summer heat
Flowered gardens defeat
Wilted brown dying
 

Elinor Burger Kapsar, Hazelwood, MO
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Good description.
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Milky white and gold
Waltzing in the summer breeze
Daisy dance delight
 

Kathy Kehrli, Factoryville, PA
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Good alliteration.  Such a fragrant dance.
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salt marsh overflows
sea-lavender growing wild
curlews call me home
 

C. Lawton-Livingstone, Colchester, UK
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  A pleasant moment.
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at the water's edge
solitary blue heron
glides in slow motion
 

Janet Parker, Leesburg, FL
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Good description of graceful flight.  Peaceful.
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bones litter the earth
in a jigsaw
puzzle of death
 

Mary Pat Rafferty, Sugar Land, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Wonderful language, fresh look at the mystery of death.
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Stretching and yawning
Hedgehog peeks out at the dawn
Life awakens now
 

Lynne Remick, Nesconset, NY
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Vivid description.
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flowing waves of wings
cardinal   egrets   bluejay
patriotic flight
 

Brenda Roberts, Fort Worth, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Unusual, picturesque.  Color and action.
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HONORABLE MENTION
 

dark summer vultures
sit barren branches brooding
over stagnant pools
 

John E. Rice, Houston, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Portrait well done.  Adjective laden triplet is vivid.
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HONORABLE MENTION
 

magnolia blossom
bee prying
red tipped stamens
 

Adelaide Socki, Houston,TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Summer picture.  Poem like a perfect picture.
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waterfall crystals
cascade light misted shadows
water flowing down
 

Craig Soderquist, Universal City, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Feel the water!  Cooling scene.
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low sanguine sun
melts into a warm ocean
beachgoers head home
 

Patricia A Tabella, Providence, RI
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Beautiful language.  Fresh description.
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fragrant rain showers
nests bursting with life anew
tulips, daffodils
 

Leigh Tate, Greenville, NC
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Wish this were in my back yard.
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snow adorns mountain
sun melting drifts once again
streams sparkling anew
 

Bill Truax, Cedar Hill, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Beautiful picture.  Clean scene.  Lovely word usage.
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FIRST PLACE - Winner of a $20.00 electronic book gift certificate.

 
wind's long syllables
whine with cold exclamations
punctuated with snow
 

Claiborne Schley Walsh, Montrose, AL

JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Excellent metaphor, fresh description.  Strong to the senses.
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finger pricked by rose
drop of blood on white petals
ladybug alights
 

Andrea M. Zander, Rochester, MN
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Unique event presented well.



ALPHA POET: JOHN RICE
Winner of a copy of "Words Elude Me..." by Paula Marie White.
John Rice is Sol Magazine's Poet Laureate 2000.
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Declination
 

Here we stand, America
and Ptolemy, at the center of the Universe.
Copernicus and Galileo must weep for us.
All powerful - respected by few.
Wealthy. So wealthy. So stingy. Sybaritic and
slothful, we shrug and turn away, ignoring those
ghostly shapes in dusty catacombs of the Past:
Relics of The Everlasting Roman Empire, rustling restlessly,
whispering and chuckling, heads wagging wisely -
they know what's coming. Do we?
 

John E. Rice, Houston, Texas
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  This poem presents the decline of America set against the backdrop of another great empire.  Excellent impact in the last three lines.  Particularly noteworthy is the use of alliteration and adverbs to create a poem that rolls off the tongue and enlightens the mind.  Persuasive reminder of history's cynical cyclical nature.  Simultaneously imaginative and realistic.  Vivid images.  The result of this poet's question is that we question, too.



Have a comment?  Want to be added to our list?  Want to be taken off our list?

Write to us at:  Sol.Magazine@prodigy.net

Or at:
Sol Magazine
P.O. Box 580037, Houston, TX  77258-0037
Phone number:  (281)316-2255 weekdays 8-5.

Sol Magazine's Website:  http://pages.prodigy.com/sol_magazine
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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 asked to write a guest editorial on a topic we set before being asked to judge a contest.
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All poetry remains the property of the poet, except Sol Magazine reserves the right to publish all poems (once) at a future date, and/or to post them to a web page.  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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DO NOT SEND US:  We do not accept entries that make use of graphic or sexually explicit language, touch on partisan politics, support particular religious views, or mention figures out of any holy book unless we ask for them.  Archaic words, such as "Tis," "Til," "Thine," and "Thou," will probably not appear in Sol Magazine except in articles or essays.  Mixed case entries only.
 

We do allow poems about God, mythological gods or goddesses.  See our contest website or last contest for current guidelines.
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We may correct grammar, tense, spelling errors or change punctuation without asking for permission or forgiveness.
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Sponsors in 2000:  Don Castiglioni, James Lay.
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Angels in 2000:  Martha Kirby Capo, Lois Lay Castiglioni, Leo F. Waltz.
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Book donors in 2000:  Lois Lay Castiglioni, Sharon Goodwin, Peggy Zulika Lynch, Carlyn Luke Reding, Kathleen Elizabeth Schaefer, Craig Tigerman, San Antonio Poets Association.  Corporate book donors:  Flying Cow Productions, Bookstop.  New sponsors and angels always welcomed.  Thanks for your support.




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Phone number:  281-316-2255       Call weekdays 8-5 (CDT)
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