As promised website for those who want to have a look at this competition.
www.poeticrepublic.com As I said yesterday it is judged by those who enter AND you receive feedback from people who are not familiar with your work, so it is judged by your peers on merit. Can't be bad.
For the first year last year, they published an e-book called 'Poems to Talk About' and it is available on Amazon only if you have an electronic device. Complaints from participants last year was that they wanted to buy a hard copy to give as gifts as it came out just before Christmas. It will be interesting to see what happens this year. I received some very pertinent comments on my work by other poets last year, and some of my comments were included in the e-book.
It is a bit pricey at £7 entry fee per poem. The first prize is £2,000, but I think lots of entries this year. The plus of course is that you get a bit of a critique from other poets and your comments may be published, but you also write so well, you might win! I will include in this blog, the email I received urging me to enter, and the winning poem from last year. Hope it's useful.
email received: Dear Maggie,
The deadline for this year's poetry prize is approaching.
There is a Single Poem Prize of £2,000 and a Portfolio Prize of £1,000.Over 6,400 people have now registered at Poetic Republic. This is a unique community.
If you haven't already entered, this is simply a quick reminder. Don't miss out on the chance to take part:
www.poeticrepublic.com
Thank you to everyone who has supported this project over the last five years.
Poetic Republic
Margaret
The Winning Poem of 2012.
Spider
They cling,
like diamonds to a glistening brooch.
She creeps and bears her
spider-babes
arching her eight legs in clumsy ballet
to slalom blades of grass,
wtih beaded back.
My two on my back.
“Kill it mummy!” they shriek
and shiver that the tiny beads
might scatter and pour,
lurk in corners or run across floors
secreting silent threads.
But I could no more stamp on this
than stop the birth of stars.
Rather I share her burden
and watch her go;
she on eight legs, me on two
carrying the weight of creation
on our backs
and weaving silken strings
of endless replication.
Shona Albouy
