2nd Place in Tom Collins Poetry Prize

 In February 2021, I was awarded second place in the Tom Collins Poetry Prize with my poem 'DEVOUR'. The Prize is presented by the Fellowship of Australian Writers (WA) and was judged by Caitlin Malin. 

 I wrote the poem in response to the Australia's catastrophic bushfires in 2019-2020. I spent a week in January 2021 in Cape Jervis with a view of Kangaroo Island but some days the smoke from fires was so thick it obscured the island. It was a weird, fretful time, and our Prime Minister's response did not ease the country's anxiety.

my dog and I looking toward Kangaroo Island, which is on fire
 
I challenged myself to write DEVOUR like a collage, a form I'm experimenting with more and more. I use multiple motifs, weaving together references to literary heavyweight Patrick White, sanitary napkins, peri-menopause, Australia's Prime Minister and blue cheese. I love working this way. It's intuitive, trusting that threads will work and somehow pulling it together with humour and pathos.

You can read my winning poem here: DEVOUR

 


 

Comments

Carolyn Cordon said…
An awesome poem, well worth a prize for sure!
Unknown said…
love the crime minister. Will read again''alsoi like facts in poetry... depends on the topic i guess
Unknown said…
I love the phrase crime minister, and I like facts in poetry (depending on the topic i guess)

Judith S
Caroline said…
Thanks Carolyn and Judith! I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. I too like putting facts into poetry :)