Open section winners
The winners of this poetry competition were announced on the final (and only) day of the Gawler and Adelaide Plains Festival of Words – VISION. The Festival was a much shortened thing, for the same reason that has affected many events this year, the dreaded Covid-19.
The Festival was going to be cancelled, and then postponed, but wonder of wonders, we cut it back to one afternoon, and with the full assistance of the venue, Prince Albert Hotel in Gawler, we were there, and we had events happen! And one of those events was the announcing of the winners of our competition.
And for those who were unable to attend, for obvious reasons, here are the winners of the Open Section:
Adelaide Plains Poets
Poetry Competition 2020 – VISION
Judge’s Report
I read the 88 entries in our competition looking for the most imaginative connection with the theme, “Vision”. There were many excellent poems submitted, however there were some which presented a broad vision capable of a universal application rather than simply a graphic description of a person or place.
First Place: Outside, Looking In – David Campbell
I have awarded first place to this poem, because it presented a powerful image of first nation peoples as if looking through a window at a more privileged class. This image conveys a strong message about our own land and is also applicable to the indigenous people of many lands.
Second Place: Sentinels of Stone – Jim Kent
This is an excellent rhyming poem which uses the image of one of the many war memorial monuments seen across our nation. It conveys deep feelings for the sufferings of those who have served in the armed services, giving a graphic vision of warfare and its aftermath for the foot soldier.
Third Place: A Vision of Hell – Peter O’Shaughnessy
Another rhyming poem which uses the metaphor of a dragon to convey the terror of an approaching forest fire. In fact, a number of effective metaphors add to the drama and the feelings of the person viewing a catastrophic blaze.
Highly Commended: Seer – Shaine Melrose
This poem takes the reader deep into the emotions of a suffering child whose feelings and hoped for release are well described. It is very relevant to our present-day society.
Commended
I found it difficult to separate the following four poems, which are listed below, but not in any order of merit.
Breaksea Light – Janice Wiliams
In the villanelle form, this poem uses the Breaksea Light as an effective anchor point and conveys the sense of dislocation felt by soldiers setting out for battlefields far away.
Reading Between the Lines – Kerry Harte
The first three verses are brought into sharp focus in the conclusion. The ending brings the reader to a very real present-day issue.
Water Journey – Janice Wiliams
This vision of life is well described. I particularly appreciated the positive note on which the poem concluded.
Octopus Eyes – Gordon McPherson
An intriguing picture of a much-maligned sea creature which brings the reader to a telling appraisal of human nature.
*Geoff Graetz Open Section judges
As the competition secretary, and President of Adelaide Plains Poets, I am thrilled we were able to rise up against Covid-19, and with help from my wonderful committee, hand sanitiser, and social distancing, we were able to announce the winners of this popular competition. And for a sneak preview, that was heard by attendees at this award presentation, the theme for the Adelaide Plains Poets poetry competition may well be this one: RECOVERY.
As with all things in life, this theme is subject to change, but rest assured, if I am able to do it, there definitely will be a poetry competition for 2021, and the winners will be announced at the Festival of Words that year! The actual entry guidelines and entry form will be available in early 2021.
Carolyn Cordon - Creative 