Winners
(titles listed in order)

The comments below are from our judge, Anthony Joseph.

1st Prize: ‘VW Caddy’ by Peter Doolan

A powerful evocation of love, loss and remorse. The poem — and its performance are intimate, as if the speaker is sitting next to you, and the sentiments offer a rare vulnerability, in language that is contemporary, direct and crafted with an ear for music and form. There is also a structural integrity here, which is cogent and purposeful, giving the poem shape and narrative form. Brilliant.

2nd Prize: ‘Dirt Citadel’ by Lee Michael White
I loved the musicality of this poem, the generosity of the poet writing selflessly, through the consciousness of a child. There’s a richly musical approach here, and the poet show’s real skill in their use of language, weaving rhythm within small spaces. Its also a poem which covers a wide array of emotion, from sadness to hope, in the child’s creation of an imaginary space.

3rd Prize: ‘The separation’ by Jenny Pollak
There is an emotive approach to this poem which avoids sentimentality – a difficult task considering the subject matter. The poet makes original uses of language and meaning, the colour red acting as a metaphor which threads itself through the poem.

Shortlist

‘The Dead Speak’ by April Schofield

‘Mercredi and Below’ by Peter Doolan

‘Musique Concrete’ by Gillie Robic

‘Tornadoes and Other Disasters’ by Jenny Pollak

‘The Demolished Exorcism Room’ by Paul McMahon

‘I Stepped Into My Father’s Shoes’ by Paul McMahon

‘The Road Trip We Never Took’ by Dena Molen

Congrats to the winners, and all 10 audio-poets on our shortlist. Sorry about the extended delay in judging. Anthony apparently had a car accident in Sicily and that set everything back a month. Nothing we could do about that. He’s okay now though, no damage done.