"Stumbling Madness to Mumbling Dadness" As a dad, I can totally relate to this. This really made me laugh. There is truth in it, because as I get older and my kids get older they seem to look at me not like "Wow, that's my Dad" but "Dad, you just wouldn't understand." I blame this on the evolution of TV Sitcom dads. Or, de-evolution to be precise, as exemplified by the opposite ends of the TV Dad spectrum: From Ward Cleaver to Al Bundy.

Since you mentioned you're a beginner, I would suggest that you run spell check before you post. Now I totally understand that you were stressed out, so spell check may be the last thing you want to do, but it is a suggestion. You see there was a word in there but I'm not sure what word it is ("unresianed"). I do like the rhyme in there with mind, unkind, blind. Keep at it!

I like the stressed/vest rhyme and racing/pacing rhyme. Don't forget to spell check, it's very important (but a lot of people skip it) for your reader to get into it. Some repetition is a great effect, sometimes not. Try to add some variety to your words. Although sometimes repeating the rhyme seems right. Keep writing!

I saw this one earlier and really loved it. Writers and booze...it says so much. Is it the secret to good writing? Who knows? I had a good laugh too. Good luck on the contest!

I like the tone and imagery. There's beauty in it. Not sure about how it begins with a piano and ends with harpist. They are both stringed instruments though. I don't understand "Earth's precious produce." I'm not sure why you have words in parentheses, but I almost like that, as if it were said under one's breath by someone in awe (except for "of" and "in"). Maybe they're corrections? The metaphors jump around a bit. I can't put my finger on it, I definitely like what you're reaching for. So...

You've rebelled against the constraints of the contest, and stayed within the constraints, and probably described a bit of yourself in the process. I think you're entry is fun and made me think a bit.

"Reservoirs" is such a great word choice. It really says a lot. "Disquiet" is an interesting word choice too. I looked it up to make sure what I thought it meant was accurate. It was. "Nourished" is excellent as well. Okay, so I really liked this. It says a lot to me. Plus, I can relate to it. Good luck!

I really liked this. I got a great laugh over the pet names and the dialogue between the two characters. I'm sorry but I didn't understand the scavengers in the wall, although it did make me think of the "tooth fairies" in the movie Hellboy II (yep, they could eat people, drawn to the calcium in their bones). I loved the bit where he ate her, offended her with the weight remark, and she kicked him. Very funny. The fact that he ate his love is hilarious and truthful, because when you're really...