CONTEST WINNER - ADULT CATEGORY

Sue's Blog Poetry Winner Announced (Adult Category)

What a perfect day to announce the winner of Sue's Blog Poetry Contest - Adult Category.
Yesterday in the House of Commons of Canada - a Newfoundland and Labrador writer - John Steffler of Corner Brook was named Poet Laureate of Paliament. See Announcement

Sue's Blog in conjunction with author - Maura Hanrahan and publisher - Flanker Press are delighted to announce that John Hoben a graduate student of Memorial University is the winner of the poetry contest - celebrating Literacy for All and Labrador - The Heart of the North. Congratulations John and good luck with your continued education.

SEE WINNING ENTRY

John had this to say on the win...

Great!!! Thanks Sue. I really wanted the book although I didn't expect to
win (didn't find out about it until late and sometimes it is hard to write a
poem on a theme). I used to live in Gander and just
moved in here this fall (originally from Musgrave Hr.). A lot more on the go
culturally which I love. Kudos to you for supporting the arts. So important
to have that grass roots networking and support. Back to my research paper.

Author Maura Hanrahan - writer of the book Domino and judge for the contest had this commentary on the wonderful entries from all:

Poetry comes in so many forms and it turns out I've set myself a very difficult task in judging the entries to this contest. I was so impressed by all the entries, by people's feeling for Labrador, and their willingness to share their poems.

The winner in the adult category is John Hoben for his striking poem "Labrador (What the Northern Lights Say)". John's short lines and sparse text capture both the spirit of the people and the spirit of the land. Note the sharpness of this excerpt:

"Buried in the deep heart of some frozen memory is an ancient longing so intense.

It calls, it burns;

And still seething,

Waits."

There were many highlights among the entries. Audrey Manning and Kathleen Kelland clearly felt a reverence for Labrador; Dave Paddon beautifully conveyed the peace of nights in the Labrador woods; Clarence Dewling's poem had a timely political slant; Cleon Moores' personification of Labrador was very well done; and Shirley Flowers' poems were like a conversation with the land of her ancestors. (I was delighted to meet Shirley in Goose Bay last month at a reading of Domino.)

I hope all these poets keep writing and that their goal is to see their work in print. Congratulations and thanks, everyone.

Maura Hanrahan

Coming soon entries and winner in the Youth Category.
Sue's Blog is delighted to have participated in this wonderful celebration of Labrador and Literacy.

Thanks as well to The Writers' Alliance ofNewfoundland and Labrador - Literacy Newfoundland and Labrador - The Telegram - The Current - Teachers on Wheels - and all Sue's Blog readers - especially Labradorians - who celebrate living in the Heart of the North - every day!

Sue's Blog will post a list of entries on Saturday.