I’m thrilled to announce the winners of the Word Craft Poetry Syllabic Poetry Contest held to honor the Summer Solstice. The theme was dreams, and the syllabic form to write was tanka prose. Many thanks to all the poets who entered this contest. Thanks for being part of our poetry community.
Last year, JulesPaige and I sponsored the first Word Weaving Poetry Journal. As promised, the royalties from the sale of the journal from 2021 went toward three prizes of $35.00 for 1st place, $25.00 for 2nd place, and $15.00 for third place paid in U.S. funds through PayPal. There was also one honorable mention the judges felt warranted recognition.
These winners will receive a blog widget to show off their poetic expertise. I hope they will link back to this post when they share the widget on their blog. I will notify the winners by email to plan for payment.
The first place winner of $35.00 is:
“Am I Dreaming,” by D. Wallace Peach
Tell me, am I dreaming? For moon-eyed owls fold their wings on the limbs outside my window, and heart-shaped stars flutter like moths beneath a tarnished silver sky. At the forest’s edge, gypsies serenade us with prayers to our bald mountain gods. I want to wake you, so we might join their song, but I drift in the between-time of a summer’s early morn. Am I dreaming? For the scent of you bathes my skin through sheets worn soft with age. Your breath dews my neck with sleeping sweetness. Will you reply if I speak your name into the shadows of our room? I’m afraid to stir lest your spirit slips away.
on the cusp of dawn I await your soul’s embrace drift into my dreams balm to a widow’s sorrow let me sleep for an hour more
Judges Comments:
With multi-sensory images, this piece maintained a sense of dreaminess from beginning to end. The beautiful prose reaches the heart while reading, with details about the narrator/narrative exquisitely and subtly revealed through the prose and the poem; “For the scent of you bathes my skin through sheets worn soft with age”; “drift into my dreams balm to a widow’s sorrow”.
Congratulations on a moving tanka prose that is both peaceful and poignant.
The Second Place winner of $25.00 is:
“Visions of Longed For Relief,” by Ken Gierke
Upon waking, I often struggle to remember my dreams, wonder what they held, the meanings my mind assigns to them even as it places them behind a veil of mystery. But on this one night, something is different.
Classical music, a collection by Edvard Grieg that includes movements from Peer Gynt Suite, plays through the speakers in my bedroom. As the first four movements play, I dream, waking as each piece ends, aware that the tone of each dream is set by the music of that moment.
Musical notes flow through my mother’s body as I care for her to the sound of Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor. Waking briefly, then falling back asleep, I feel my concern for her eased by the melody of Morning Mood. I wake once again to hear the start of The Death of Asa. Lulled to sleep by the somber tones of the movement, my dream turns dark and I feel as though facing an impending doom. I wake, troubled, only to fall asleep once more, this time to the light sounds of Anitra’s Dance. It is as if light, or life perhaps, is rising up to push back the darkness that had insinuated itself.
heat reaches new heights as sun approaches apex breeze off the water tempers the sun’s oppression visions of longed-for relief
Judges Comments:
An intriguing, almost haunting tanka prose piece, there is indeed “a veil of mystery,” but “on this one night something is different.” Music and mood are intertwined and ultimately this dreaming helps the narrator realize peace as he/she takes care of their mother. They also intertwined dark and light into this piece that beautifully conveys the stress and strain and the desire for relief both caregiver and cared for must feel in this situation. It too is resolved with peace and poignancy and tells an important story while sticking to the theme of dreaming in tanka prose.
The third place winner of $15.00 is:
“Between & Beyond,” by Merril D. Smith
There are journeys beyond the boundaries of the known. Brief moments, when our minds travel to a liminal place between the worlds of what is and what might be. Here I saw my parents—young and in love. Then, I saw them older and still together, as they were not in real life. The air around them glimmered and glowed. In the way of dreams, we sensed each other. They smiled, and I woke–at peace, but wondering if it was merely a dream.
moon’s silvered secrets— wind-strum whispers, shimmer-slide in time between breaths I almost hear the stars sing chimes of possibility
Judges Comments:
“In the way of dreams…” This was another personal narrative in which a dream, vividly shared, might be more than a dream. The “moon’s silvered secrets” imply that this dream was indeed a journey “beyond the boundaries of the known”, a message of “what might be”. The pivot line is well crafted, the tanka standing strong on its own while continuing the dreamy peaceful feeling of the prose.
An Honorable Mention went to:
“Finding the Way,” by Jude Itakali
It’s drizzling this morning, like it did yesterday and the day before. I skid along the mucky path to the cyclist stage. All neighbours have abandoned it for a longer, more sure-footed way. I alone dare to pass here. In a sense, at least for now, this path is mine, and I have little of that to get on with.
not for gasp nor gaze these wild lantanas blossom yet ensnare senses for scent or defiant growth no drifter can pass aloof
In days passed, I’d moan the squelch of a favourite shoe as it sank into disguised patches of mud. I’d curse those cunning patches, for like all else in this world, they’d have betrayed me. But things are different now. I see what I could not before. I feel what I feared to feel. For I have clutched at straws my entire life, to find this dream that fits like a glove.
These dreary mornings mask the sunrise glimmering in my heart and mind. But still I skip along this path in a whimsical daze; two points for sure-footing, one less per slippy slip. Nothing will douse my spirits now. There is beauty everywhere. There is hope.
what is a soul's dance but joy's perpetuity the kiss of purpose to live a hypnotic life dreaming up reality
Judge’s Comments:
“Finding the Way” found its way to an honorable mention. Written in first person, as tanka prose should be, the theme is woven throughout, with a clear and strong conclusion in the second tanka that summarizes the narrator’s growth along their muddy path. Even with “dreary mornings (that) mask the sunrise glimmering in my heart and mind,” the tone is one of hope and dreams for the future. This entry was much discussed and we would feel remiss in not congratulating you here for your take on the theme.
Meet the Judges
D. Slayton Avery, recently retired from teaching, now works at playing with words. D. Slayton Avery’s fiction and poetry is published in a number of online and print journals and anthologies— Boston Literary Magazine, The Hopper, Enchanted Conversations, and Santa Barbara Literary Journal, among others. She is a regular contributor at Carrot Ranch Literary Community and has two books of poetry, Chicken Shift and For the Girls, and a collection of flash fiction, After Ever, Little Stories for Grown Children. D.’s prose and poetry can be sampled at https://shiftnshake.wordpress.com/.
Lisa Fox enjoys a laissez-faire lifestyle near Lake Michigan after years of government work. She’s earned a couple of pieces of paper from uni. She’s studied philosophical daoism. She currently writes poetry and flash fiction at her WordPress blog, https://tao-talk.com/. Favorite past-times are reading, writing, listening to music, gardening and observing nature for advice, bicycling, and spending time with her adult sons.
August Specific Form: Yvette
August Photo Prompt: Reena
August Theme Prompt: Sarah
Congratulations winners!!! Your pieces are awesome. 🙂
Thanks so much, Aishwarya! <3
Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes to all this. Great work to all involved. Best writing I read today. Thanks, Colleen. So fantastic. Congratulations to all.
Thanks for your fab comments, Selma. Everyone should be proud of all their hard work. <3
Congratulations to the winners!
Thanks so much, Sis! <3
Thanks Sis. 💜
MAZAL TOV to the winners!
Thank you so much! <3
Congrtaualtions to all the winners. Well done. I also love Diana’s piece and feel it is worthy of first prize. What a way with words. xo
Congratulations!
Thanks, Darlene. 😍
She writes amazing poetry. I’m so proud of all these poets. 💜💚💛
Thanks so much for the kind comment, Darlene. I’m totally stoked that the judges liked the poem. <3
Very deserving winners indeed! Congratulations to them and to all the participants, organisers, and judges! Well-done!
Many thanks, Olga. It was a fabulous event. 💜
Wow! I’m surprised and honored to wake up to this news! Congratulations to D., Ken, and Jude. Well done! I particularly like Ken’s, and now I need to reacquaint myself with the Peer Gynt Suite.
Congratulations, Merril. 💜
Thank you, Colleen. 💙
I can see your comment here, Diana. ???
Congrats, Merrild. Your poem is beautiful. 🙂
Thank you, D. Yours is, too. I love the moon-eyed owls. 🙂
Thanks, Merril. Colleen is really an inspiration. <3
She is! 💙
Thank you, Merril. This poem has seen several iterations. It started years ago as a prose piece, evolved to a poem a couple of years back, and now as a tanka prose.
It’s interesting how poems sometimes do that.
What fantastic poems – congratulations to all the winners! Toni x
Many thanks, Toni! 💜💚💛
Congratulations to the winners for their excellent tanka prose pieces!
Thanks, Liz. There were some amazing entries! 💜
You’re welcome, Colleen.
Excellent choices, all. Congratulations!! (K)
Many thanks, Kerfe. There was so much extraordinary poetry! <3
Some of my favorite poets!
Aww that’s going to make them all blush! 😍
I think they know.
LOL! 😜
Congratulations to the winners! Beautiful works and well done! ❤️
Thanks so much, Franci. Everyone did a great job. <3
Congradulations to Colleen for arranging this lovely contest, the judges, and all the winners and the honorable mention too. What a joy to become part of those dream visits, for those moments spent reading… in a dreamy state.
Oh, Jules… what a beautiful comment. Everyone did such a great job. I’m thrilled at how well this turned out. <3
💖
🙂
The winners, well deserved all! Congratulations.
Thanks so much, Sis. 💜
Awesome poetry! Congratulations to the winners.
Thanks so much, Balroop. The contest was a huge success. <3
Congratulations to all winners!! 🥰🧚🦋🧚🥰
Thanks so much, Ruth. 💜
I’m honoured that ‘finding the way’ found a place here. Thank you to the judges, and Colleen. Congratulations to all three winners. Wonderful tanka-prose. Knowing a good number of the poets here, I’m sure competition was stiff.💖
Congratulations, Jude. 💜
Thank you, Colleen💖
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Congratulations to all the winners! Amazing pieces.
Thanks so much. <3
I’m back, Colleen. I was so delighted to find this post when I swung over this morning. What an awesome treat to see my poem here, among these other wonderful poets and their work. Tanka prose is one of my favorite forms and the prompt was “dreamy.” Many thanks to the judges, and to you for hosting. And huge congrats to Ken, Merril, and Jude. <3.
Congratulations, Diana. You did a wonderful job with the theme. 🥰
<3 <3 <3
Congratulations to all the winners! 🎉🎉🎉👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Diana’s piece gripped my heart! Well done, everyone!
Thanks, Yvi. 💜
Thank you, Yvette. I’m so honored. Hugs.
Congratulations to all the winners! They are exceptional and they linger still. Thank you, Colleen, for offering this soul-moving contest. 💗
Thanks so much, Gwen. I’m so happy we had such a great turnout!! 💜
Thank you for this, Colleen, and thank you to the judges.
And, of course, congratulations to D., Merril, and Jude.
You’re so welcome, Ken.
A beautiful piece, Ken. Congrats to you. 🙂
Thank you. 😀
Very welcome!
Fantastic poetry! Congratulations to these fantastic poets. <3
Many thanks, Debby. 💜
<3
Many congratulations to the winners and to Colleen for hosting this beautiful experience where the words of the poets stilll linger in my thoughts x
Thank you so much, Carol. From the journal to the contest, it’s been a joy to support our writing community. 🥰
Congratulations to all the winners, the poems were beautiful. I am delighted to see Jude Itakali receiving an honourable mention here. He has so much talent and a bright writing future ahead.
I agree, Robbie. He’s very talented and his poetry is always wonderful. 💜
😊😊😇🤗💖
Many congratulations to Diana and the other winners including Jude.. outstanding poetry and wonderful job to you Colleen and the judges..♥
Thanks, Sally. I just love everything that Colleen has done to encourage us all to write poetry. I couldn’t be more honored by the judges’ selection. Hugs.
Fabulous poem Diana.. and well deserved spotlight ♥
<3 <3
Loved everyone of these poems!!! I am inspired!!!
Tanka prose is a great form. There is great opportunity through the interaction between the prose and the tanka poem. 😍
Congratulations to all. These were excellent. Special congratulations to Diana.
Thanks for reading John. There was excellent poetry! 😍
Very admirable.
Thanks so much, John. I was delighted with the results obviously, and can’t thank Colleen enough for awakening my inner poet. Lol. Have an awesome day.
You got a lot of inner talent, Diana. 😁
<3
How exciting! Congratulations to these poets. I absolutely loved Diana’s submission. A well deserved win!
Thanks so much, Jan! I’m so proud of these poets. ❤️
Thanks so much for the kind comment, Jan. I was thrilled and so grateful to Colleen and the judges. It really made my day…. week!
Congratulations to each of these amazingly talented poets. I am in awe of your skills!
Thanks, Beem. These are all amazing poets.
These were a joy to read. Congrats to all!
Thanks so much for your support, Priscilla. 💜
Congratulations to the winners. Lots of talent and versatility here.
Thanks so much, Joan. ❤️
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Great writing, all!
Hooray to 2 of my faves, Merril D. Smith & D. Wallace Peach!
Thanks so much, Resa! 💜
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