Anyone who knows me knows that I have a total fascination with Africa. Not the culture, the people, the idea, but Africa as it is on its own. The ground, the past, and especially, the birds. There's something in them, and their relation to the past that seems to hold the world together, if only in my mind. To me, they are what keeps the past within our world today, folding it all together, keeping it real. What is a present without a past? What is a nation without a story? Without something that sets it apart?

I'm not talking about poverty, riches, economics or industry. Slavery, movement, war, race, language, AIDs--none of that matters to me (though it may to you--that's what matters).

It's every bit about relation, interdependence--living in everything, everywhere.

So here's my idea. I held a contest I don't even know how long ago, that I never got around to judging or anything in that direction. I got very distracted from it, and I feel horrible about that. But I'm here to make it up to you!

I'm going to give some sort of consolation prize to each of the people that entered the contest before, and start a new one. A farewell contest, of sorts.

The Guidelines:

I want you all to write about Africa, in any way you perceive it. It can be as obvious or underlying as you decide. It can be the setting, the character, a current event, or just a vague impression. Turn it over in your mind and create it as a metaphor all your own, or talk about what Africa is to you. And if it doesn't mean anything to you personally? This contest probably isn't for you. I want to see passion, love and respect, on any level, but Africa must be at the core of your writing. I want to see what it is to you.

It must be poetry, (no prose, I'm sorry. I want a thought, not an essay) and it must be a new piece, submitted December 9th or later.

That said;

The Prizes:

I'm going to do this a little differently. Rather than setting aside three placing rewards (first, second, and third), I'm going to give out as many as I see necessary. That is to say that there could be as many as twenty prize winners, or as little as one.
As far as the actual prizes go, they aren't set in stone. I will give whatever I think a specific piece deserves, depending on how good I personally think it is. The imagery, devotion, originiality and, overall, the honesty of the piece ultimately decides who wins.

Needless to say, I'm not going to accept any half-hearted attempts for the sake of winning a print or subscription. That's silly.

Now, the Deadline:

Send me a note with a link to your submission by December 25th, 2007 and you're in. Throw a link in your Artist's Comments to this journal, and you're golden. Easy enough, right?
I'll be judging them all myself, and I'll post winners on New Years Day (January 1st, 2008; none of that silly New Years Eve stuff.)

As soon as this contest is done, and the prizes are given, I'll close up LabelMeLow, and be moving on to my new account.


(Maybe I'm too picky; how many people really love Africa the way I do?)

Well, boys and girls... have fun. And if not, spread the general splendor of the moment with your fantastic friends or moderate acquaintances alike!