National Poetry Day Dunedin 2022
It was exciting to be asked to judge this year’s gathering of work from young poets. But when the entries came in and began reading them I realised many hearts would be broken, including my own. How on earth could I celebrate only some writers above the others?
There were very good entries, with powerful images, clever notions, deeply felt emotions. There are poems about everyday life, the bizarre, and the political. Some are deeply affecting — the ones about feminism in particular have a fiery anger.
With only a little more work many of these poems, especially from the teenagers, could be magnificent. Some already are. I have no doubt these young poets, whether they have an award tonight or not, could go on to write astonishingly good work.
All the entrants, in both sections, were aware that a poem needs shape and/or a poetic device such as carefully judged repetition. They also understood the need for detail. Each of the best poems felt complete, and showed the poet’s individual vision. They felt like gifts.
I give a nod of thanks to the teachers and others who are encouraging these young writers.
Children’s Section: 5 - 12 years
Four entries.
Runner up is ‘Rain in Nature’.
Nikau Morand Portobello School
This simple poem takes an interesting turn from the image of a downpour to the beams of light on tiny droplets, to how plants need both elements. The nine lines take a clear, well-observed journey to the last line of two words. A piece very carefully thought through.
Winner is ‘Orokonui Sanctuary’.
Abby Hobson Kavanagh College
There’s an interesting turn in this poem as well. It begins with what seems an over-lush description then focuses down onto the narrator and a more simple tone with her observations. The reader is left impressed by the young narrator’s confident attitude.
Teen Section: 13 - 18 years
Twenty entries.
This was extremely hard to judge. There are some remarkable writers here and I hope they go on to use their skill with language in literary ways.
The ‘trick’ to a good poem is focus, I think. The three poems I finally chose showed this in their different ways. Their shape was tight, use of detail very well handled. The positive response they caused in this reader at least grew stronger each time I read them.
Runners up in alphabetical order of the title
‘Moeraki’.
Maia Scott Queens High School
A subtle piece, apparently about everyday, unremarkable things, shocked into a different realm by one word — collide — in the final line. It makes the whole poem reverberate and makes the reader re-examine the significance of the everyday.
‘Winter Solstice’.
Oshadha Perera Southland Boys High School
One of the longest pieces submitted and very well focussed for its length. I wasn’t sure whether it worked entirely, till I read it aloud for myself and thought oh my goodness, it does. Here is a talented young poet.
Winner
‘G sharp’.
Joanne Brock Smith Taieri College
A surprise match of musical note with colour, and images that the colour evokes in the mind of the poet. It’s strange, with an interesting series of single word dropped lines. It makes the reader wonder, and see new layers and hidden stories in — well, everything. This poet knows what they’re doing. What a find.