[Catherine Chandler]

From today (Wednesday, April 20) to Thursday, April 21, 9 p.m. EDT, please cast your votes for your top 3 sonnets in this year`s bake-off.

As usual, 3 points will be accorded for a number 1 choice, 2 points for a number 2 choice, and 1 point for third choice.

Please feel free to add some final commentary.

The results will be posted on Friday, April 22, along with Mr. Gwynn`s choices and a few words from your host.

[E. Shaun Russell]

Thanks for hosting this, Catherine!

Overall I think this year was a little weak compared to prior Sonnet Bakeoffs. And there were an awful lot of hyphenated adjectives throughout this year's fare -- how odd!

In any event, my three selections are (in order):

1. Sonnet 4 ("Dressing For You")
2. Sonnet 1 ("Matriarch")
3. Sonnet 13 ("The Dead King's Daughter Weds His Conqueror")

Honorable mention (for what it's worth) for "Stuffed". It was a true toss up for my third choice.

[Pedro Poitevin]

Thank you, Catherine, for hosting this. And thanks to R. S. Gwynn!

1. Sonnet 3.
2. Sonnet 4.
3. Sonnet 1.

[Birthe Myers]

Thank you, Catherine and thank you Mr. Gwynn, and thank you to all the sonnet writers.
This is the first Sonnet-Bake-Off in my time on the sphere, and there are some gems. My favorite is 'Stuffed'. I remember it from when it was workshopped. The bear in the Christmas apple tree, festooned with red apples and tinsel leaves creates a beautiful, colorful, festive picture in my mind. It is happy-making.
"The Dead King's Daughter Weds His Conqueror" also paints a vivid picture. A tapestry with content. It is beautiful, harsh and pragmatic.
"Surabaya" is clever. I like the examples chosen, they are anything but random.
So I vote for:

First: Sonnet # 10, Stuffed
Second: Sonnet # 13, The Dead King's Daughter Weds his Conqueror
Third: Sonnet # 8: Surabaya

[Philip Quinlan]

If I understand this correctly, we get to see another bunch that didn't quite make the cut. That will be interesting.

Meanwhile:

1) 3
2) 13
3) 1

I guess my choice of winner is based on the fact that the poet adhered to the form, but twisted it to her own ends.

Philip

[Petra Norr]

Thank you, Catherine, for doing a very fine job at hosting the Bake-off,
and thank you, R.S. Gwynn, for being our Distinguished Guest. And of course,
huge thanks to both of you for providing thoughtful and interesting comments.
I loved reading the sonnets. Thanks to all the poets, and to those who took part in the discussions.


1. Sonnet 8 (Surabaya)
2. Sonnet 3 (I Need Men)
3. Sonnet 6 (Differing Visions)
.

[Mary Meriam]

1. I Need Men
2. Stuffed
3. God May Forgive You

[Catherine Chandler]

Sorry, Philip, You won't get to see the poems, only the titles and names of the 13 honorable mentions.

[Kimberly Poitevin]

1. #1 (Matriarch)-- killer last line, and just good all around

2. #7 (Smitten)-- I know others had issues with the rhyme and meter, but someone needs to speak up for it, and this one really sparked (!) my imagination. I like the title's double meaning, too....

3. # 3 (I Need Men)-- love the turn.

Loved 13 too, but 3 stands better on its own.

[David Mason]

3
1
4

Thanks!