Comment from Judge Joan Houlihan: “Great pacing, momentum, fresh, smart, humorous. Lines need to be re-thought, the 'skinny' form doesn't enhance the content.”

ROLL ANOTHER ONE
      Shann Palmer
      (Blueline)

That stone isn't big enough,
have you seen his followers?
Possessed, everyone of them;
not a clear eye in the bunch.

It's a martyr they'll be looking for,
selling bones, blessings, or curses,
it was a hasty burial, but that shroud!
Smooth as Lydian cloth--expensive.

Any leaks and the smell will get you,
your food be leaving one way or the other
for the dogs, I put attar on my lips
camphor keeps away the flies.

I hate these people, their vengeful god,
another year and I'll see Rome again.
I don't even know who to look out for,
the priests might come, they have schemes.

Take watch tonight, it's their Sabbatum,
the Hebrews won't venture far, it's a holy time.
I'm experienced, I'll take tomorrow night,
though I doubt anything will happen.

Comment from Judge Joan Houlihan: “Credible narrator, wonderful irony. Voice-driven, compelling 'other side of the story.' Some awkward places, needs a good edit (e.g., everyone = every one, periods vs. commas, 'your food be leaving', etc.).”

HUMIDITY
      Carole Barley
      (Wild Poetry Forum)

Seemingly endless, this August rain,
fashioning rats-tails and the scent
of electricity in treacle-humid air.
The wipers flail, damp palms finger
gearstick with some smiled upon urgency;
Interior windows misted.

You say you do not care for warm rain;
I see a kneeling in ocean scented grass.
Thigh inside thigh, rivulets rounding
shoulder, growing heavy; slowing,
crazing down the switchback of your arm.

I do not care for gray myself,
prefer the terror of cumulonimbus uncertainty.
Touchpaper, flint.
Counting the seconds to myself
between the flash and the thunder.

Comment from Judge Joan Houlihan: “Lots of sharp, compelling imagery, great momentum, authority of voice. Needs a bit more work on arrangement, tightening of lines. Also, first line beginning with cliched phrase harms it.”

About the InterBoard Poetry Competition
Archive of IBPC Winners
First Place Winner, September 2001