Poetry Out Loud over and out

The results are in at the WV Finals of Poetry Out Loud...and I know them (having been one of the three judges, I got to shape them!)...

First off, let me say that all the contestants were worthy. It takes guts to get up and recite long, complex word puzzles while your friends, family and competitors stare at you with blank, unblinking eyes, silently praying for you to humiliate yourself.

The winner was:

Carolyn Rose Garcia of Notre Dame High School in Harrison County, who edged the competition in the finals owing to her incredible performance of "Shirt" by Robert Pinsky.

The runner-up was Jasmine Lewis of Spring Valley High School in Wayne County who gave a powerful recitation of "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou.

I have to give two special unofficial awards out of my own.

The first is to Elizabeth Falstreau of George Washington High School in Kanawha County who wow-ed the judges with her poise and presence, particularly in her finals delivery of "Walking Down Park" by Nikki Giovanni.

The second is to Emma Dalen, whose charming delivery of Shel Silverstein's "Sick" got her into the finals.

Congratulations to one and all, although I should point out that most of you failed to approach me to sign your gift copies of my book at the reception!

small but mighty

Before everyone starts to have major withdrawals...

"here she comes to wreck the day!"

One thing we cannot have is the poet boycotting his own blog. (Good Lord!)

The lengths to which he'll go to get his way... are adorable.

Right now, as I write, he is finalising the judging of the West Virginia State Finals for “Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest”, so I cannot yet announce a winner, or provide any meaningful feedback about the event on his behalf.

However, I can confirm that I spoke to him moments before the event commenced, when he informed me that first on the line-up was a reading of Edward Lear's Owl and the Pussycat.

We were both tremendously excited to learn this, since the poem holds special significance for us (something I'll elaborate on in another post).

While he's doing all the wonderful things that he does, I'm doing the final edit of his new (breathtakingly beautiful) collection of poetry, As Such, and thinking that it's high time that I began to cultivate my ability to write about love.

the motto endures

I love, therefore I am.

Poetry Out Loud freebies

I love the book, "The Morgantown Suite Poems", so don't get me wrong. It's a good book, nice cover (better be, I chased Ron Rittenhouse for months to get permission to use the photo I wanted on the cover).

But there is a certain sadness as to how the book became the official sample of my work that will be given to competitors for the West Virginia state finals for Poetry Out Loud next week.

"The Compleat Panther Cycles" is too expensive and massive.
The unholy trinity that I have with iUniverse, "from an unexpected quarter", "love gods of a forgotten religion" and "101 Great Love Poems" I rarely recommend, not because they have nothing to contribute (particularly "love gods..." which I adore) but because I have a thing about my former publisher.
"Invocato" is not easily accessible.
"PanthEon" and "from out of the city" are out of print.
"Ronin in the Temple of Aphrodite" might be over the heads of many high school students...
and "Psalms of the Monster River Cult"? Well, the poem "if your husband comes home" found some furrowed brows, as high school students might be corrupted by hearing of people having sexual relations outside of marriage.

So the winner, by default, is "The Morgantown Suite Poems"...makes me wish "As Such..." was already out...

Next time.

The Kiss of the Chrysalis

Final poem for tonight...I think!

The Kiss of the Chrysalis

The kiss of the chrysalis is upon me now,
bitter brickle tickles of something I forgot.
The final grains spiral and fall, as sentries bow:
I am released, again, to spin like musket shot
fired in the dark, but inspired by instinct
that knows the sound of pounding feet is an omen
not to be ignored as Polyphemus had blinked
and missed the fist of fate aimed at his eye, the men
not willing to settle for a kettle of stew
as a watery grave of savory penance.
Pride, a bride to consequence, oaths are now so new
you can see them wet in the moonlight, the sentence
is life. Guilt washed away with karma for a kiss,
burdens set aside with faint fear of honest bliss.


William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.

In appreciation of advice to accept this joy and lay aside my pain. It will be hard, but I won't be alone. For once.

the riddle

I promise, a last post for now. Later, or at least tomorrow.

the riddle

I draw out the words in soft sigils in the dust.
dust left behind to grind the soles of our shoes
slowly to powder to join it in the streets, defeated.
for all things turn to ash and trash and crash
to the ground with sound or not depending on
if anyone is there to listen. or care.
I am thousands of miles from daylight, bright
and articulate and warming in a way that I need
like you need water and air and a pillow for your head.


William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.

the sun rests fierce

the sun rests fierce

the sun rests fierce in eyes newly opened, the nerves raw
in the afterbirth of creation. illumination sought burns
and churns and turns corners on the rough-edged ledges
where once we played and prayed the way we had been taught,
not how we discovered to be consistent with the universe.

curses are not vows, vows are not the sacred cows we slaughter
at the edge of water turned red and cloudly as loudly we call
after fallen idols, the skeletons of memories mocked by those
who sought and bought the emperor's clothes, the better to take
to wake to break the fall we all must dare if we are to care.


William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.

I will dance

I will dance

I will dance with knives of thought
tonight
as I contemplate the errors in my path.
arrows
I can not accept within the margined
errors.
only Heracles can restrain himself in
the fight.


William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.