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CM . . . .
Volume VII Number 15 . . . . March 30, 2001
Each year, with the aim of encouraging poetic talent across the country, the League of Canadian
Poets sponsors the prestigious National Poetry Competition and the Youth Poetry Competition.
The former offers all Canadians a chance to discover their ability. From thousands of entries
received, a panel of six well-known poets selects 50 winning poems for publication in the
anthology. First, second and third place winners are chosen from this group, and the authors
awarded cash prizes. Anne Campbell writes in her introduction to this section of the anthology
that, for her, the work of poetry is to use language so well "...it animates and liberates from the
dark our very being." Sue MacLeod's poem, "Especially for a woman, reading," which took
second place, Stephen Brockwell's "Hands of the Father" and Russell Thornton's "Your Keys" are
only a small sampling of the many gems in this volume which exemplify Campbell's notion of the
work of poetry.
The Canadian Youth Poetry Competition consists of two categories: a senior
division for students in grades 10 to 12, and a junior division for
students in grades 7 to 9. Cash prizes are given to the writers of the top
three poems in each category. These are published in the anthology along
with several honorable mention winners. Only six poems were chosen for the
senior division, the three top prize winners and three poems which won
honorable mention. According to the two judges, these six poems "...are in
general more completed, more unusual and more vital than the vast majority
of the 1500 poems we read. Outstanding in both insight and playfulness is
Sharon Page's first-prize winning poem, 'Water Buffalo + Emily = Love,'
while Sascha Brunig's pointed and poignant 'Family Reunion' has echoes of
'A Child's Christmas in Wales'."
There are ten poems published in the section devoted to the junior division of the National Poetry
Competition. Interestingly, nine are by girls, and the only one written by a boy was awarded first
prize. Michael Coren's small poem, actually in the form of haiku, entitled "The Graveyard," is one
which speaks equally powerfully to adults and young people.
Reading fine student-authored poetry is one of the best ways to inspire young people to write
their own poems, or, for those already turned on to this form of expression, to refine their craft.
Readers will find the section entitled "Notes on the Authors" found at the end of Vintage 2000,
both interesting and useful. The collection will be welcomed by teachers of Language Arts and
English who are always on the lookout for poems of originality and vitality on themes important
to their students.
Highly Recommended.
Valerie Nielsen is a retired teacher-librarian who lives in Winnipeg, MB.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
permission.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - March 30, 2001.
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