The theme for October is Beat Poetry.

Poets are welcome to interpret and incorporate the theme as they wish; the style is not intended as a limiting factor, but instead as an inspiration that may help authors explore beyond normal subject matter and styles of writing. Judging, as always, will be up to forum members with the suggested criteria of:

1. How unique, interesting and enjoyable was the poem?
2. Were the technical aspects (quality of writing) successful?
3. Was the theme used in a way that improved the overall work?

For examples, I suggest Howl (the definitive beat poem) or Sunflower Sutra (a bit more accessible) by Allan Ginsberg, or Mexico City Blues by Jack Kerouac.

This theme is intended to be inspirational, not limiting. Interpret it as fits yourself and your own style, or respond to it with another. The authors mentioned above would be the first to tell you not to stress about style or convention, that there is no 'right way', so have fun with this!

Please submit all entries via email to contest-entries@hotmail.com. Entries will be posted anonymously in this thread as they are recieved.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask here, or send me a pm!