Judges assemble! Okay, so how/where will we do the judging?

Joooooining!

Okay, so I'm just gonna share my opinions by person and then do my own rankings... other judges do the same, or something else, or we'll vote or whatever... not sure how this is gonn work so... here:

Disclaimer: I might be kinda harsh on everyone. Please know that I loved all of them (and as a result of reading them, am now feeling positively miserable!) and I'm just trying to split hairs and be super judgey here!

Okay, so first up we have STARSEEKER! I loved this story, and I loved at the beginning when you said that it could've actually happened. I actually liked this one a lot. My one thing is that at the beginning, I had to read it a few times to think that she thinks he's going to propose. This was the only one that got me close to tears.

ALISA QUICKSHADOW: This about sadness in and of itself, and it was very interesting to read! I loved it, and it inspired me and saddened me at the same time. However, I hear a lot of global warming facts, so it seemed strangely reminiscent of science class, which kind of reduced it for me. Also, I personally think that it's up to us humans to fix our planet, not some divine "He". I still respect your beliefs, but it just kind of bothered me. Really good job though - it was a unique and beautiful poem.

LUCY B: I actually really got this one. Kutos to you for fitting such big emotions and implications into one little haiku! I defenitely got that spark of sad, although more details certainly would've been nice. Still, there is a certain beauty in simplicity. 

ABIGAIL: This was so sad! That doesn't even begin to cover it. I think my heart actually broke at your 7th stanza (I've been reading Fairenheit 451). The metaphors were sublime and I have to say that I really loved your poem! It creates a sense of nostalgia and longing and heartbrokenness and maybe even a glimmer of hope.

SUE: I haven't lost a grandparent yet, and your story makes me hope it stays that way for quite some time! At the end when she lists all of her family members that died, for an instant I totally understood her decision to take her own life. I loved the contrast at the funeral, and the realness of the grandma. The way she talks about the grandma seeing her husband is a little confusing, and I wish there were more memories with the lost ones, as that would've driven it home.

ASPEN: I was kind of confused the entire time, I'm sorry. Will you do the rest later at some point?

Ok, I'm sorry, I have to go to bed now. I'll post more later. Other judges, any opinions? 

Okay. I'll do it from 1st to last of my favorites--remember, I'm not trying to be harsh or anything. Just judging, but IMHO, I loved them ALL!!!

Sue D. Nym is 1st! Congratulations. This was a very sad entry. It almost made me cry. Very well written. 

Annabeth C. is 2nd! Congratulations. I love this song, and was very happy to see it used! This was so sweet. I almost cried. Well done.

Cassandra the First is 3rd! Congratulations. The fact that it was about a teddy bear almost made me cry. This was so sweet--well done.

The others I'm not going to put in any order, so here are the rest. Good job EVERYONE!

Starseeker--I didn't cry, but this was pretty good. As I said, I do have a personal attachment to the song, so it did strike a chord with me. Well done!

Alisa Quickshadow--Well written. I didn't cry, but I thought it was pretty. I liked how it was a poem. ;) Well done!

Lucy B.--Short, sweet, and to-the-point--haikus are probably my favorite kind of poems. This didn't make me cry, but it was very sad. Well done!

Abigail--The main thing running through my head during this story was David Cook's arrangement of Dolly Parton's Little Sparrow. It was sooo pretty! (the story. But the song too xD) And I was definitely craving croissants by the end of it! Well done!

J.B.E.--This was pretty good. I hated (LOVED) the fact that you used the dog, as in it's good you used the dog. ;) Almost made me cry, well done!

Embers--Very good. Especially after I just finished reading "I Am Malala," hehe. I really liked it, although I didn't cry. Well done!

September--Although it was short, this was very sweet, and left me with questions. What was the disease? How was it affecting her? Well done!

Claaws--Although I didn't cry, this was nice. I love the song, which helped ;) Well written, keep it up! Well done! 

Casandra The first, My sister wanted me to tell you that she thought yours was by far the saddest. Out of all the ones I read to her, this was the only one she cried for. She really liked it. 

Thank you for the feedback, Inktail. And can we start the next contest soon? I'm actually working on a short horror/mystery story right now and this could be a good oppurtunity to get some opinions on it. 

i almost cried reading them all they were so sad! I think the next theme should be hopeful.

Well Ill go ahaid and start this!

Next round....2 weeks....more or less depending on how much time yall need.

I think that we agreed that this next theme is.....

drumrollllllllssss.....

FEAR!

Boo! I scared you!

Ya so....good luck....and may the odds be ever in your favor. (I may or not be watching the hunger games and crying RIP RUE HOW DARE THEY KILL HER OFF *sobs*)  

*yes the theme is fear but the Admins wont allow extream violence, goar, etc. im sure yall can make a convincing horror story without that shizaz.