2024 Creatrix Poetry Prize
Selected by Paul Kohn
2024 Creatrix Haiku Prize
Selected by Matt Hetherington
First Prize
Second Prize
Highly Commended
Commended
Judge’s Report
The haiku (and senryu) that I’ve chosen for a bit of recognition only really reflect my own taste, and not any objective standard of worth, which I think is impossible anyway. My preferences are for as much brevity as possible (perhaps to an extreme degree), work based in the five senses, and with less explicit intellectualisation. This comes from writing and studying haiku for over 35 years now, and also from an alignment with these principles as being traditionally the essence of the form. No doubt the Japanese forms have evolved over the years, but if anything, they seem to me to have become even more crystalised and intensely brief.
The First and Second prizes here are both, to me, wonderful examples which stood out as particularly vivid, resonant, and with a strong feeling of fueki-ryuko, which translates roughly as ‘the universal reflected in the particular’. I immediately SAW these two pieces, and the inner ripples that happened were what senryu (which the First-placed poem certainly is) and haiku are truly about. We can’t choose which poems move us, but we sure know it when they do, and this is part of the beauty of short-form poetry: if they don’t connect, we just move on to the next one, with very little time used up. I’d ask all those writers whose pieces aren’t recognised here to keep in mind as much as possible that this is what happens when one’s writing is judged, in whatever form that might be. Don’t take the supremely subjective nature of judgement personally, just keep writing, keep reading, and keep submitting if you can handle it. Persistence will wear down resistance.
Having said that, I’d also like to say how heartening it is to read so many quality examples of the art, and to leave you with seven more examples that struck me as really good short-form poetry. (I don’t know who wrote them, and perhaps only the individuals who did will recognise their own writing, which is pretty interesting!) My thanks to all those at Creatrix for asking me to be involved in this competition. ON and UP to you all!
Matt Hetherington
—-
First Prize
empty shop
the barber gazes
at his own face
—- Manoj Sharma. Creatrix 63, December 2023
—-
Second Prize
winter dawn
an earthmover moving
the fog
—- Govind Joshi. Creatrix 65 haiku, June 2024
—-
Highly Commended
cataract
the mist
cut away
—- Barry Sanbrook. Creatrix 62, September 2023
—-
estuary jetty—
I cast my line
into moonlight
—- Anne Curran. Creatrix 63, December 2023
—-
Commended
worshippers
heads bowed
over cell phones
—- Alanna C. Burke. Creatrix 62, September 2023
—-
desert highway
a family of white crosses
point west
—- Louise Hopewell. Creatrix 63, December 2023
2024 Creatrix Poetry Prize
Selected by Paul Kohn
1st Place
Head Space by Maria Bonar (Creatrix 62)
2nd Place
Shooting Stars by Eddy Campbell (Creatrix 62)
Highly Commended
Behind the Mask by Veronica Lake (Creatrix 65)
Paperbark by Melissa Domiati (Creatrix 63)
Commended
The Void by Barry Sanbrook (Creatrix 65)
Short and Sharp by Christabel Seneque (Creatrix 62)
Judge’s Report
For me, Poetry is about connection, about feeling, about vulnerability; about immersing yourself in someone else’s situation, experiences, perspectives.
This is the power of the words that we as poets write and share.
This is why I write and share my words each and every day.
So when I was asked to judge the 2024 Creatrix Poetry Awards, I accepted with much excitement. Because for me, finding new voices is exciting and humbling, as vulnerability is not always easy, but it’s always important.
Little did I know the task I had just been given…
Issue 62 to 65 of Creatrix has SO many amazing poems by so many unique WA poets sharing their voice on the page in their own way.
To say this is one of the hardest judging tasks I have had the pleasure of doing is the truth! There were SO many standout poems.
I think I had an anthology’s worth of short-listed poems after my first pass! So I have read some of these poems MANY times!
Once I got down to my top 12, I wrote down my top 6 in the order I thought they should go in, then I enlisted the help of another poet I now (my son, Elijah) just to check that there was some agreement with this year’s prize winning poems, and to my surprise, after reading through the 12 poems I handed him, my son picked the SAME 6 poems in the SAME order as I had written down.
I thought I would mention that in the hope that gives everyone confidence that due diligence has been done, understanding that the judge’s decision is final and has been audited by an independent poet. Please excuse my sarcastic humour. Also, please forgive me (and correct me) if I pronounce your name incorrectly.
So without any further hesitation, here are the Creatrix 2024 award winning poems!For me, Poetry is about connection, about feeling, about vulnerability; about immersing yourself in someone else’s situation, experiences, perspectives.
This is the power of the words that we as poets write and share.
This is why I write and share my words each and every day.
So when I was asked to judge the 2024 Creatrix Poetry Awards, I accepted with much excitement. Because for me, finding new voices is exciting and humbling, as vulnerability is not always easy, but it’s always important.
Little did I know the task I had just been given…
Issue 62 to 65 of Creatrix has SO many amazing poems by so many unique WA poets sharing their voice on the page in their own way.
To say this is one of the hardest judging tasks I have had the pleasure of doing is the truth! There were SO many standout poems.
I think I had an anthology’s worth of short-listed poems after my first pass! So I have read some of these poems MANY times!
Once I got down to my top 12, I wrote down my top 6 in the order I thought they should go in, then I enlisted the help of another poet I now (my son, Elijah) just to check that there was some agreement with this year’s prize winning poems, and to my surprise, after reading through the 12 poems I handed him, my son picked the SAME 6 poems in the SAME order as I had written down.
I thought I would mention that in the hope that gives everyone confidence that due diligence has been done, understanding that the judge’s decision is final and has been audited by an independent poet. Please excuse my sarcastic humour. Also, please forgive me (and correct me) if I pronounce your name incorrectly.
So without any further hesitation, here are the Creatrix 2024 award winning poems!
1st Place
Head Space by Maria Bonar (issue 62)
This poet also shared a number of poems, but this one resonated with me. Who hasn’t had an argument with a family member that left them reeling? People we love the most can be the people who hurt us the most. Because the people we have the strongest bonds with really know how to push our buttons. They often know us better than anyone. This poem also portrays how that makes us feel in the moment, but how quickly we can get through stuff together if they realise what their actions and words do to us, and catch themselves; and if we catch ourselves too. Another poem that many could relate to! A poem structured in a thoughtful and meaningful way with so many great lines intertwined! Maria, thank you for your vulnerability, and for writing and sharing this poem.
2nd Place
Shooting Stars by Eddy Campbell (issue 62)
This poet shared a number of poems across the year, but to me, this one was a standout.
The imagery is relatable to me, as is the theme… A moment in time when two lives touched each other, where fate caused paths to cross and moments to be shared that meant so much. But where a twist of fate left a missing, left them feeling like their lives will never cross again. Or will they?
So eloquently constructed without any words wasted. A touching and relatable poem with an underlying hope… Because if two orbits can cross once, they can cross again.
Highly Commended
Behind the Mask by Veronica Lake (issue 65)
A poem I relate to in so many ways… How we put on a mask so that others can’t see who we really are; our perceived flaws, be them physical or emotional. While there are many ways to hide the things that we don’t want others to see and judge, be that through fear or past experiences that have burnt us, it leaves us feeling like something is missing. Because even if we don’t want to be seen, we long to be seen. Even if we don’t want to be heard, we long to be heard. Even if we don’t understand… We long to be understood. And this important and well written poem shows that over and over.
Highly Commended
Paperbark by Melissa Domiati (issue 63)
Full of beautiful imagery that just drew me in and immersed me, but held me gently as the topic of grief, of aging and beyond, is gently delivered in a profound, relatable and thoughtful way. A topic not often discussed, especially in such a calm fashion where those on both sides of the experience are sad, yet calm, accepting, understanding. But most of all, supportive to each other and to those who read this poem. Melissa, thank you too for taking the time and holding the space for yourself and for others, and for writing and sharing your words.
Commended
The Void by Barry Sanbrook (issue 65)
This poem is one of the shorter poems across the journals, but it packs a punch and brings up all of the emotions. There is vulnerability on both sides of this poem; the vulnerability of the family experiencing the grief of loss, and the family member who has passed too. This poem is real, it’s raw, and it holds an abundance of truth that others going through similar situations could benefit from so they know they are not alone in what they feel; that it’s okay to feel.
Finally, Barry, I am genuinely sorry for your loss and thank you for taking the time and holding the space for yourself and for others. Thank you for writing and sharing your words.
Commended
Short and Sharp by Christabel Seneque (issue 62)
The playfulness and imagery of this poem really caught my attention, but the underlying meaning behind it made me gasp; How we all long to be (and remain) whole and healthy. Linear even. How we sometimes wish we could see what’s coming, remain in control. This is a truly ‘sweet’ poem (excuse the pun).
1st Place
Head Space
no happy families, no Brady Bunch
no endless summer ticking along
like a merry metronome
moments of contentment
between storms
spikes of joy on a graph
families, a double-edged sword
offer the strongest bonds
inflict the greatest wounds
loved ones know
where all the bodies
are buried
bald truth can be deadly
flaws, mistakes, secrets best kept
a little kindness oils the words
today, I may not like you very much
if you don’t slay me with sharp words
or toxic texts, I may love you again tomorrow
Maria Bonar (Creatrix 62)
2nd Place
Shooting Stars
We look up and watch bright lights,
see two points,
free,
paths crossed.
An illusion of optics,
points merge,
spiral in orbit
each
of
the other.
A beautiful moment
of
Lives touched.
An accident of nature,
lives on in memories.
Of friendship lost.
Shooting stars on their own paths,
shared a brief time
of meaning.
We recall this moment,
understand our truths
Differently.
Orbits never to cross
Again.
Eddy Campbell (Creatrix 62)
Highly Commended
Behind the Mask
“Give a man a mask and he will tell you the truth.”
Oscar Wilde
I put mine on every day,
fitting it tenderly to the bones of my face.
Camouflage covering every flaw.
Yet, I am curious about what is revealed
as I pat maquillage into place,
paint on pouting lips of invitation,
outline my eyes with fine black kohl.
I think I am creating mystery, allure,
and wonder if, in fact
I’m telling a truth through concealment.
Me afraid of the world,
Me afraid of eyes that penetrate,
Me afraid of judgement.
This painted skin stretches thin,
a fragile protection. Truth lies evident
in a tortured mouth and green-lit eyes.
My disguise sits temporary, slips, tilts,
revealing a false bravado,
fear vibrating underneath.
All flaws exposed to the censure of the world
where eyes wait, fattening like crows;
relentless, vicious, stabbing,
cawing cold judgement on my proffered truth.
I have been found wanting.
Veronica Lake (Creatrix 65)
Highly Commended
Paperbark
Loneliness
is hollow
a shallow sound
that echoes inside me
as I sit empty
breaking, aching
in the shade of her fragility.
She fades before my eyes
paperbark falls to the floor
floating fragments of frailty
branches break one by one
her journey back to earth has begun.
It’s the slowest agony
of privilege
to hold her hand
now she no longer understands
thin, soft papery skin
like the bark
we peeled from the trees together
to write stories on
smooth, soft silvery sheets
are her fingers that squeeze mine
strong, gentle, fine
she sits with me
while her mind slowly leaves
to other places
traces
of her stories remain
whispered in the wind through the leaves.
It’s the fading that breaks me
she would never forsake me
by choice
but now
from one who always bloomed
no new buds are growing
and I must be her voice.
Her eyes reach out to the distance
as if she cannot see meamongst the trees
yet she is grounded
roots so deep
surrounded
by her ancestors
as she slips in slow
slumbering steps one by one
her passage back to country has begun.
Melissa Domiati (Creatrix 63)
Commended
The Void
Its never been the same
An inexplicable loss
That for decades has haunted me
Leaving an emptiness
A hollowed out part of me
That I cannot fill
For there is no hope
No concept of reconciliation
Just a void
Left by an offspring
Who cannot see the benefit of family
Barry Sanbrook (Creatrix 65)
Commended
Short and Sharp
If time is peanut brittle
I fritter it away
in slivers
spikes
splinters and shards. They melt
like toffee on the tongue.
Today was shattered from the get-go.
The morning splits open
as I choose to Snooze.
Sweet dreams
appear
crystallise
and dissolve
all in ten minutes or less.
Now my figments are in fragments.
I wish time was an everlasting gobstopper.
A sweet, solid circle – unbreakable and whole.
Diminishing by increments
(predictable, controllable)
with no malignant edges.
Christabel Seneque (Creatrix 62)