Comments by our judge, Howard Richard Debs
First, I want to compliment SPANK the CARP and its editor for sponsoring this excursion into the genre of ekphrasis, a type of poetry I personally think is ideally suited to poetry for the digital age.
Next, I want to recognize with appreciation all those who proffered submissions. They were all thoughtful and carefully crafted. Choosing was very difficult. The winners selected all have characteristics in common. Each meets the criteria I posit in my article "Ekphrasis and Beyond" particularly my “standing eight count” of do’s and don’ts applicable to this type of work. The 1st Prize winner “Reverie” is the one that for me best evokes the spirit of artist Elizabeth Darrow’s wonderful pictorial presented; it is technically well written, the poetics, construction, language usage, literary devices, etc. all support the narrative which stretches the ‘canvas’ of the visual to rightfully claim the designation, contemporary ekphrastic poem. In addition, it satisfies three pertinent requirements I think crucial for poets searching for an audience in the 21st century: it is accessible, it is relevant, and it is consequential.
Next, I want to recognize with appreciation all those who proffered submissions. They were all thoughtful and carefully crafted. Choosing was very difficult. The winners selected all have characteristics in common. Each meets the criteria I posit in my article "Ekphrasis and Beyond" particularly my “standing eight count” of do’s and don’ts applicable to this type of work. The 1st Prize winner “Reverie” is the one that for me best evokes the spirit of artist Elizabeth Darrow’s wonderful pictorial presented; it is technically well written, the poetics, construction, language usage, literary devices, etc. all support the narrative which stretches the ‘canvas’ of the visual to rightfully claim the designation, contemporary ekphrastic poem. In addition, it satisfies three pertinent requirements I think crucial for poets searching for an audience in the 21st century: it is accessible, it is relevant, and it is consequential.
And the winners are...
