Linda's Comments
It has been, once again, my pleasure to read the poems sent in by so many people to the Chapter One Promotions Poetry Competition. The subject matter was as varied as ever although I would say the general standard was higher this year than last. There was less grumbling and more imagery.
All the usual triggers that lead to the writing of poems were there again: death, the passing of time, seasons, nature, memories, family, fear. The winning poem, Lupercalia, is an evocation of the shadow world, of the existential terror that is part of the drive to survive. "...your stumble/ a child's light tread/ something tearing on the brambles." How Soon is about the power of nature's whims: "The ocean lifts its tune/ too late for her to know/ that she must ride its muddied stave." Mixed-Up Pixies at an Exhibition is simply delightful - but not without edge. How can a boa swallow an elephant?!
Although the standard was higher, there were plenty of the same old mistakes: a deadening dependency on cliché, odd line and stanza breaks, over-use of abstract nouns and grand pronouncements. When you start, “Life is…” or “Our destiny…” you’re pretty much doomed! PAIN, WARMTH, LOVE, HATE, HOPE, SOUL etc. etc. etc. are to be avoided. Show us these feelings. Pain is a needle through a finger or a bee sting or a firecracker going off in your face.
Punctuation was often all over the place, as was the shape of the poem on the page. Remember, the white spaces count too, as much as the black words. And there was a leaning toward the prosaic in some poems. Remember, poetry is about metaphor, imagery, snapshots.
When we’re moved or grieving or terrified or overjoyed, putting pen to paper is a very human way of coping. I sincerely hope you all keep it up, and, to inspire your efforts, join a workshop, start a group, go to readings, and most importantly, READ LOTS OF POETRY! It’s important to know where your work sits in the contemporary scene. Get anthologies and find poets who speak to you, then get their individual collections. Being a poet is about studying: sharp observation of the world around you, the poets who have gone before and those who are writing now.
Good luck and good words to all of you.
Linda Lee Welch, Sheffield