All Poetry Competition Results 2010

First: View of Dark Point. Bruce McIntyre, Marrickville NSW

Second: Poetry in the Trenches. John Upton, Burwood NSW

Third: Conversation with an Aboriginal Man of High Degree in the Todd River late one night early one morning after the Cas. Steve Browne, Alice Springs NT

HC: Flight of Ideas. Lyn Vellins, Alexandria  NSW

C: Python Bends. Peter Mitchell, Lismore NSW

C: Gallery Café. John Egan, Ashfield NSW

Shortlisted

Growth. Heather Kay, Cowan NSW

Blockout. Susan Adams, Dangar Island NSW

Until Next Time. Loula Rodopoulos Malvern East Vic

Attention Must Be Paid. William Zappa, EarlwoodNSW

Congratulations to everyone.

Reading these poems gave us much pleasure. Your enthusiasm was exciting.

Comments have been sent to as many poets as possible. We hope that, after further work, these poems can be sent out again. Even those that have won cash prizes can still be accepted by some magazines as we do not publish your entries anywhere.

Tips:

Follow conditions i.e. line limit  number of copies.

Watch rhythm, even free verse should show a subliminal rhythm.

Edit your work for omissions, typing and spelling mistakes.

Be wary of too many adjectives.

Make your choice of word match the subject, tone, pace.

Avoid cliché.

Improvement can be made by listening to criticism and by reading modern poetry ie Best Australian Poems, Best Australian Poetry. Blue Dog etc (from Library): by all means read all those classic poems you love but take care not to use archaic language in your own poetry. Use the speech of today.

We look for innovation and difference in imagery, language and subject. Humour and wit are always welcome.

The Kitchen Table Poets’ book, Tangents is now available ($22 postage included)