You've put forth the state of creativity very well. The phrase "born ALIVE!" is very original. I know exactly what it means when people are born dead! Best of luck in the contest.

This is a very sad poem that manages to capture not only her fragile and tragic condition but the essence of her former life as a sexual being, and her futile attempts to maintain that. Well done for that. I'm not familiar with this game but loved how it involves bones, and the counting is like the counting down of time until the end. The game ends with a shut box, which I saw as a coffin. It's interesting that the narrator's counting, or turn, isn't included in the poem, as if all the focus ...

This is a very unique poem, challenging Icarus. Not sure I like what you did with the title and first line: part of the question in both. I'd make the title part of the first stanza and choose another title. How about: "Aviator" or something like that. Some great allusions here: "Define..." that whole line. The "forceps" line made me think it didn't work until I read more. It mirrors the "first stab" line. Well done. Sounds like the narrator is mocking Icarus, who never got a second chance. I...

This has some lovely imagery and great phrasing. What's particularly interesting is that this young virgin (?) is portrayed as chubby, which is unusual. I'm not sure "floppy breasts" works. This is more apt to describe an old woman past her prime, and you've included "young" as an adjective. She is "solid" so wouldn't her breasts be gargantuous, but not floppy? This is very well done. It seems a little unfinished, but maybe that's because it ends with a question. The title is perfect.

Cat dreams? Very rich imagery. Love the idea that cats dream big. They also die big, as per your last line. "...pride..." is a perfect cat word. I think I would remove the comma "perfect." "...ribbons hung on big cages..." denotes pride, but more in humans. My cats would play with them, wouldn't be happy until they ripped them to shreds. Also, everything else in this stanza is a snapshot from inside a home. The cat cages detracts from this. The last stanza is perfect. The title's a little wei...

This is clearly a statement, a declaration. To hell with convention and all the rules. The narrator is just sick of being "nice" and "acceptable." I really like the first stanza. The third line in stanza two could be better. What it says is it's all about food and diet. "Outlets" is vague. The other thing about this stanza is you've got some rhyme in one and three ("clothes/loathe, and "no/goes"), which is not perfect but it works. For consistency I'd try to put some in stanza two. Otherwise,...

Line 4, stanza 1: "orchids" would be better singular. Comma after "vase." Same line: how about "The yellow..." and take out "he." As is, it is awkward. Line 1, stanza 2: "Explosions swing..." vague. Lines 2, 3, 4 stanza 2: Good lines Stanza 3: 2 great metaphors: "lanterns meteor down," and "arctic smile." Overall sense of story: He plays like a madman but hates it, though it draws the crowd. He needs to play lullabies to soothe his passion? Excellent imagery. Great title.

Your message is very clear. Sounds like my first family without the dementia. You did a very good job of crafting this poem, but it could be great. The rhythm is off in many parts. Here are some examples: Lines 1-4: good rhythm Lines 5-8: not bad if you make it a separate stanza. It's a little clunky. Trim down line 5 a bit if you can. The "books and TV line" detracts from the flow. You lose the rhyme here also. You could delete this line and the one before and nothing would be lost. It would...

There's a lot about this I like but a few awkward spots. "Panthera" and "Pantera" : is this a deliberate similarity? "Her chestnut hair - now is..." You could eliminate "now is" and not lose the meaning but it would tighten it up. The mascara line is also clunky. Just shorten it and it will be better. "night" should be "night's." Not many doors lock on the inside with a key. "start to chase her" again, awkward. How about "the books attack..." "albino tortilla" while this is an interesting ima...

I like it. Very visual and good contrast in the last line with the Starbucks reference. Your punctuation is excellent, except for "papas." I would capitalize it and punctuate like this: "Papa's." I would drop the beginning and end line punctuation altogether. Otherwise, good stuff!