Every two weeks I will be holding a contest called “The Poetry Challenge” which will let anyone who wants to get involved show off their poem writing abilities. As I have over 1,500 followers now I think that this could be a good event to bring people who have the same interests together while doing the thing they love “writing poetry”.
To keep up to date with the challenge click on the following link which will lead you to the latest posts of the challenge – - - http://clownponders.wordpress.com/category/the-poetry-challenge/
How It Works:
On the Friday I will post a title or theme of which the contestants must base their poem on, I will also write my own poem under the title to start off the contest.
Contestants must then post their poems or the link to their poems in the comment section below the post.
On the Friday after that I will pick my favourite 3 and then ask my WordPress followers to pick their favourite poem.
Then a week later the winner will be announced and their name and poem will be added to the “The Poetry Challenge – The Top Voted!“ page on my WordPress blog and I will tweet their WordPress account to my Twitter (@ClownPonders) followers and the next “Poetry Challenge“ will begin.
The Rules:
1. ANYONE can get involved, there is no age restrictions, all you need is an imagination and internet access.
2. The poem must have no more than 300 words.
3. No offensive language (Swear/Cuss words) must be used in the content of the poem.
4. Any type of poetry can be used.
5. Contestants can submit as many poems as they please.
6. All entries must be submitted by 12PM (GMT) on the Friday.
7. Enjoy yourselves. Let your imaginations run wild and put your stamp on the day’s title!
I hope you all get involved, have fun, show off your writing talents and maybe even make some new friends along the way!
Thank you all,
Corey Booth (ClownPonders).
sounds promising – will have to give this a try!
Thanks
Tell any poetry lovers you know to join in! It should be fun 
this is awesome, by the way
spread the werrrd…!
cool
Are you going to join in?
Sounds like fun!
It will be
Are you going to take part? 
I do believe I will!
Thank you! Come by my page tomorrow
Sounds like a great idea. I’ll participate!
Thank you! Check out my page tomorrow, it will be fun I promise
Yes! Finally! This sounds like fun. I’ve never really tried to write anything except what comes naturally to me so it’ll be an interesting challenge to try and come up with something based on one of your ideas.
Hooray! 
Woohoooo! I’m glad your going to participate
it will be fun, I can’t wait to see what people come up with 
Neither can I. I don’t know if I’m good enough for this though.
Is there any way I can directly contact you, by email or similar?
And congrats on getting a job and moving in to a house with Alisha (I’m so sorry, is that her name said right?)
You can contact me on twitter or or cjbwork@hotmail.co.uk
Thank you 
her names Elisha but that’s close enough they sound the same lol! Take part in the challenge, its only for fun 
sounds real interesting and good, cant wait..
Woohoooo! Come by tomorrow and join in
This is a really cool idea. I may have to give it a shot as well.
Yes join in!!! Its all for fun its nothing serious
Come on my page tomorrow 
Great idea, it will be fascinating to see the different interpretations people come up with in response to your theme. Can’t wait.
That’s why I started it, to see how differently other people would write a poem based on just a title to how I would, its going to be great! Bring on tomorrow!
This is cool. Count me in. I’ll have to set aside some time to get involved. Excellent idea.
Thanks for making time for it! It will be a great way to bring poetry writers together while having fun at the same time! Come by tomorrow, again thank you
this is interesting, it is really enjoyable reading diff. types of poetry, I will follow this one…
I like this idea
I hope to see you submitting your own poem
This sounds great, I’d love too. Not sure if my poetry is good enough..check it out on my page if you think so?
It dosnt matter about your level of writing skills, its only some fun, just be as creative as you can with the title provided
I will check out your page anyway 
Come on people, saying you’re stuff isn’t good enough is harder than writing a good poem. A poem can take 10 minutes, that attitude took your whole life to compose! Forward me your favorite poem if you want criticism on it. Brandongriffin1980@gmail.com.
Sweet I’ll have a go. I wrote a couple of poems on my blog, not too good but hey, worth a shot haha
Haha, it dont matter about ability, just get creative and i can guarantee you it will be good! Its on my page now so get involved
Definitely something that interests me. Always good to have a writing prompt
Well the title is on my page now so get writing
This is a great idea! I think I will give it a go
Thats good to hear
its up on my page now, join in! 
Okay, I’m game. Over to your page now with a Haiku.
I’m in!!!!
Go on my page and join in this weeks title is on there now!!
Nice one… I’d like to give it a shot. Hmmm, sleep or poetry writing?
Goodluck! I hope a lot of bloggers participate.
Join in!
You dont have to do it today just make sure you have commented by Friday 
[...] to participate in Clown Rhymes weekly poetry [...]
The day I posted a blog prompt lead me to this fantaspectabulous prompt! I will try to join in and hopefully, I have enough time to write a poem this week. But I will definitely try to beat the Friday deadline.
If you don’t make it this week just make sure you join in next week
[...] idea through a prompt created by a fellow blogging poet by the name of Corey Booth. It is called The Poetry Challenge and basically he presents a title each week and other poets are expected to create a poem with that [...]
Sweetness. I’m totally joining.
[...] This poetry challenge comes from ClownPonders. Check it out here http://clownponders.wordpress.com/the-poetry-challenge/ [...]
would love to be part of this…how do i know when a new challenge is up?
Every Tuesday a new challenge begins
This is a great idea. Thank you for following and for liking my poetry attempt. I might have to stop by for the next challenge (even though I don’t really know what I’m doing)!
Thanks for following my blog. I can’t wait to enter in this contest. The entries I read today were crazy good!
This is a great idea! Love it! Look forward to the first one!
Thanks for stopping my site as well!
http://poetryroad.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/together/
Thanks for liking my poem, ‘Havana Browns” and following my blog. I generally post weekly about something that I find interesting and want to share, but I like to post one of my poems also every now and then. Keep writing your poetry! What a fun way to involve people – a poetry challenge!
Sounds like fun. Looking forward to next Tuesday!
This sound like so much fun!
okay, I’m in
I’m new here, and i dun know how to participate in this challenge
All you need to know is every tuesday I will post a title and all you need to do is add your poem in the comment section below the post
Thank you for the First week nomination! Twas an exciting challenge and I felt it ended fairly well…I look forward to future challenges!
Hi! This is a great idea! I’ll be sure to submit once in a while
. And thank you for visiting my blog a few days ago!
I’m game. This sounds fun and best wishes to everyone competing
Thanks
This tuesday hit my page! 
Challenge accepted.
My mind is dragging me in
I love this idea! I can’t wait to participate! It’s been quite some time since I sat down to write new poems!
Well this weeks contest is up now so go and join in
Hi CJ (may I call you that?)
Let’s see if I still have those poetic muscles..
Thanks for visiting my new-born blog
I was an English major and poetry was my world, but it’s been a loooong time since the last time I wrote one :/ This challenge is quite intriguing
-cheers-
Yes you may call me that haha!
Yes take part, you will enjoy it
[...] but ultimately, I did drop by his blog. That was a fateful day because I saw that he was starting a poetry challenge. Basically, the idea is that he’ll post a poem title, and he’ll let us write a poem for [...]
1. Thanks for dropping by my blog and liking my last post.
2. “Offensive” language is a very ambiguous term, but I’ll do my best.
3. I think I just may have to take you up on these challenges.
Hello,
Talking about las words someone told me that Oscar Wilde’s last words were: ‘it’s either I go or the wallpaper goes’.
I’m so pleased to see young people like you enjoying poetry! keep on pondering…
I’ll be checking your space!
have fun
Catherine
Hi Corey,
I’m interested in taking part in your poetry challenge. I am wondering if I can simply post my poem on my blog and then post the link in your comments. I like to share what I write with my readers for these challenges. I’ll contact you by the email I saw above so you can answer me via email. Answer here too, that way others will know the answer to the question. Thanks.
Yes, as long as the link is posted in the comment section that is fine
A brief moment
http://sonocarina.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/a-brief-moment/
toss my hat in if love themes are being accepted
thanks, happy valentine’s day
Yes Love themes are more certainly accepted
You will have to post this under the post i done today!
Well,here I am adding my poem to The Poetry Challenge for Valentine day….:)
Missing you…..
Lot I hate
This endless wait
Untold stories
Remains to be told
Untold secrets
I need to share
No questions asked
No answers expected
No need to share
Why and Why nots
Just be there
As always
Next to me
Even in thoughts
Missing you.
Thank you for dropping by my page and liking it and following :3 I like yours and would like to take part, just wondering where you submit them?
Under the post that is posted on Tuesday so theres a new one on my page now!
i wonder what feeling will reveal meaning to me on Tuesday next…
a smile upon my face now…
Obrigado…
i’m in.
Thanks for reading my blog! This “poetry challenge” is a great idea!
[...] blogger has a weekly poetry challenge. This week it is to write a letter to myself. I though I would give it a [...]
So, yes, why not hey… I just wrote it, aaaaand published it on my blog. Varsågod, here is the link.
http://dovandael.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/a-letter-to-myself/
Good luck to all competiters!!! Lycka till!
This looks interesting. Gave up on my blog but I’ve still got some poetry pouring:D I’ll give it a try Corey
Cheers!
Thanks for following my blog! This looks awesome, love a good challenge for a lunch break. Here it is:
To Sam, From Sam
Wake up, open your eyes!
Success in the eye of the beholder,
Holder…
Older, old.
Thrown, wasted, washed away,
Eaten inside out.
Push more,
Give more,
Love more.
Stop the hate,
She loved as you must love.
Seize it, run with it,
Fly far and wide.
Stamp it,
Count it,
Live it!
Just be. Now. Here.
Would you be able to comment this under the week 4′s post? This is just a page explaining the rules
Sorry, was on that page, must have clicked back by accident! You can delete it from here
Haha, no I’ll leave it so people can see what to do if they do it themselves
Thank for joining in! 
Thank you for visiting my site and reading my poem! I will definitely check out the contest!
Letter to Myself
Dearest Ms. Me, myself and I.
What are you waiting for, dear?
You aren’t getting any younger, you know.
There are opportunities, recipes, and compositions to create in your life.
Time stands still for no woman.
Go forth and create.
Do not be stagnant.
Oh, I know the old excuse. I’m tired of it, dear.
You wish you could change this or that.
Look, changes will happen whether you want them to or not,
but wouldn’t you like to be the one deciding your fate?
Please don’t leave it all up to chance,
wasting away another ten years?
It was not a waste, actually.
The twenties, they were what they needed to be,
stumbling and picking up again.
I remember you tried so hard to get it right every time.
It’s a learning experience, it really is.
And I’m not saying you haven’t done a thing.
Goodness knows, not that.
You’ve got some knowledge and experience,
some mistakes made, a child going to be adopted;
yes I know it is hard.
How can you manage to wake up and put on
a happy face while you are still missing him?
I know you are struggling
with loss and
grief.
You grieved for
your father
a long time, too.
Look where that got you.
By not working out
those issues early on,
it only created more, didn’t it?
Dear Self,
don’t forget
to be compassionate
toward yourself but
in doing so remember
to take care
of yourself, too.
You are not accountable
to the whole world.
You might want to make some people proud,
maybe even honor the memory
of your father and grandparents.
That is nothing bad; no, it’s good.
Dear Me,
I wish I could change my past.
Naturally,
sometimes I wish this,
but seriously, if you changed it,
how do you know it would come out any easier to handle?
Even if you had a time traveling vehicle,
you could not see how these changes would play out.
It’s not as complex
as you are making it.
You don’t need to explore
all your options 10,000 times
to arrive at the right conclusion.
One decision made once is enough,
and it doesn’t have to be perfect.
It just has to be right for you, me, and well . . . us.
[...] Clown Rhymes blog, do yourself a favor and go check him out. His poetry is cool and he runs a poetry challenge that is open to all. The theme this week is “A Letter to Myself.” Here is my take on [...]
how can you limit language?
If this applies to the 300 word limit thats because when over 50 people a week enter it takes a while to get through them all, if it regards the offensive language rule, thats because its for people of all ages who shouldnt be exposed to offensive language.
Hi Corey,
Are you interested in pairing your weekly poetry challenge, which seems fairly freeform and open, with a weekly challenge on my blog testing formats and meter? It could be pretty interesting. Let me know what you think!
erm… is this contest still on? :/
It’s now starting back up! The dates have changed so make sure you get upto date with the new opening times!
[...] HomeAbout MeThe Poetry ChallengeThe Poetry Challenge – The Top Voted! Bookmark the permalink. [...]
wow, kindda reminds me of the old mysoace days,I would do a “battle” ,but really it was more like a colabo,I would jump it off and people would finish off wherever the last person left off in the comments,so as you read, you realized that it all was synced…those were the good ol days,ha! I remember I even had Questlove (amazing Roots drummer,Dj,artist fir those living under a rock) leaving comments and folks would go crazy. Aahhh……. but them fb happened and life changed lol… Eager to see what you’ re gonn pick as topics
Im ALWAYS next up for a challenge.
Sole’
I never had Myspace, In Wales it was not popular at all for some reason =/ Haha, at one point I was heavily addicted to fb, I’ve deleted it now though! Good to hear mate, I look forward to seeing the work you produce during the contest
[...] http://clownponders.wordpress.com/the-poetry-challenge/ [...]
I love writing poetry! I’ve never taken part in any contest like this, so I’m pretty excited. Thanks for starting this!
Hello there, will be watching out for your poetry contest. Nice blog with nice poetry!
Brilliant – thank you for ‘finding me’
It will be most interesting to take part and read other peoples poetry
[...] HomeAbout MeThe Poetry ChallengeThe Poetry Challenge – The Top Voted! Bookmark the permalink. [...]
Sounds like fun! I think I’ll give it a run… ~_^
Thanks for stopping by!
[...] http://clownponders.wordpress.com/the-poetry-challenge/ [...]
Thank you for dropping by my blog, delighted you liked some of my poetry work, keep up the poetry challenges, wonderful idea and such a great way to get other writers involved. Well done. Clarabelle
I love it that you get everyone involved, Corey. Fandabidozi!
REblogging FYI
[...] HomeAbout MeThe Poetry ChallengeThe Poetry Challenge – The Top Voted! Bookmark the permalink. [...]
I am excited to be here today and I am cetainly going to be part of this wonderful challenge. Thanks for the follow.
It was my pleasure to follow you!
Well submissions have to be in by next Friday so you have plenty of time to enter
hey-thank you for your comments on my words “stars” this is just the third day of my blog and i am just learning about all this stuff. i fell in love for the first time in my life after 64 years on this planet and this woman has opened a flow of words within my mind that rivals that of the power of the tides of the oceans-i have to figure out the current challenge as i am not computer friendly-but i will enter -i will also read more in depth as i delve into your work-words are becoming a lost art with the advent of the new age-and it is a pleasure to find someone who enjoys the creative spirit of the word as you do thank you Will