Annual Tanka Contest 2018 (Mandy's Pages)

I didn't expect this so I was so thrilled when I found out about it. It pays to resubmit a poem in another journal or contest even after it had been rejected. You just never know! 

Here is the comment of this year's judge, Shrikaanth Krishnamurthy.

 Another trim poem that says a lot in a few words.

There are two strands I read here- one of how “my wanting you” is sticky? And also how and how much “I want you” to love me back. Related but separate. Another interesting take for me as reader, that the author may not have made in mind, is how the sap of frangipani, which is toxic, can also be a balm for certain skin conditions. So another cautionary tale here- in small amounts, it’s all good. Make it too much, and it all goes to pot.

Isn’t this the trap into which many of us fall whilst we love? To be too close for comfort! That can leave one claustrophobic and screaming for some fresh air. This lack of space can often be the death knell to many a relationship.

Click here to enjoy all the winning selection and judge's comment.

Prizes for Winning the Annual Tanka Contest 2017

     I feel so blessed! As the 1st prize winner of the Annual Tanka Contest 2017 at Mandy's Pages, I did not only receive $100 cash but also these wonderful gifts. Thank you so much, Amanda Mittra Dcosta, Debbie Strange, and Pamela A. Babusci!

     Two years ago, I won first place. I received $100, a bag, a certificate, and a bunch of poetry books. Amanda always make sure that there are tons of prizes. Why don't you check out the contest next year and consider submitting? Most probably, I will be judging again since I won this year. :-)

Annual Tanka Contest 2017

     July was not only a month of celebrating my birthday, but also a month of celebrating honors received from different contests. It started earning the name as Haiku Master of the Week, making it to the merit list of Sonic Boom's 3rd Annual Senryu Contest, then ending the month with an unexpected surprise—garnering the 1st place in the Annual Tanka Contest 2017 in Mandy's Pages. The latest award was a very wonderful surprise because I had won 1st place in 2015. I am so honored! I was the judge last year and blindly selected Debbie Strange's tanka as the first prize winner. This year as the judge, she picked my tanka. She wrote to me and say that we must be kindred spirits. I agree!

     This year the contest attracted 84 entries. I was not surprised because she had so many prizes in store for the winners.

First Prize : USD 100.00 + Books + Certificate + a tanka bag

Second Prize: USD 50 + Certificate

Third Prize: Certificate

(Cash Prizes sponsored by Mandy's Pages)

Debbie Strange donates copies of the following books:

• Warp and Weft : Tanka Threads, Debbie Strange
• More Grows in a Crooked Row - Tanka Conversations of Angela Leuck with 15 Poets
• Bright Stars 1 Tanka Anthology, edited by M. Kei

Poet Pamela A. Babusci awards the first prize winner a copy of A Solitary Woman.

Blue Butterfly Bags sponsors a  tanka bag for the first prize winner. 

     Since I already have a copy of A Solitary Woman, Pamela A. Babusci gifted me this beautiful bracelet.

     I'm still eagerly waiting for my books from Debbie Strange, certificate from Mandy's Pages, and bag from Blue Butterfly Bags. :-)

Results of the Annual Tanka Contest 2016 at Mandy's Pages

     My first time as a judge for a contest was a little stressful and frightening, but I stepped up to the plate and made it a very enjoyable experience. I bravely picked the winners and try not to worry about who I would be disgruntling. Just as the saying goes, "You can't please everybody."
     Here are my top selections and my comments:

 

FIRST PRIZE:

 

each moment

here on earth is numbered . . .

so why not

fly too close to the moon,

and hang our hats on stars?

 

Debbie Strange

Winnipeg, Canada 

 

 

I chose this as the winner because I wanted to base my decision on originality, freshness, and  authenticity. The poet’s writing style is utterly captivating! The serious tone of the first two lines pivots in the phrase, “so why not.” The mood that follows is somewhat childlike, evoking a sense of adventure and imagination. Isn’t that how we should enjoy life? We should take risks, dream big, have fun! With the use of the s/l/s/l/l form, this tanka gives you a heartwarming ending with some dreaming space.

 

SECOND PRIZE:

 

the verdant hills

of his childhood

he scratches

his growing

bald spot

 

Billy Antonio

Laoac, Philippines

 

The poet’s perfect choice of metaphor proves that humor can be used effectively in tanka. The verdant hills implies lushness which is in contrast to his growing bald spot. To emphasize the decreasing loss of hair, words are placed in descending order. A hint of annoyance about the poet’s aging is implied with the word “scratch”, but using humor in this tanka shows us his/her acceptance of this human condition. I enjoyed the surprise ending. Brilliant tanka!

 

THIRD PRIZE:

 

after tea

I linger in the garden

this summer day

held tight by sunlight

and the scent of honeysuckle

 

Barbara Kaufmann

USA

 

This breathtaking tanka has a lasting effect on me because of the lovely choice of words. The “s” sounds in “summer,” “sunlight,” “scent of honeysuckle” has a soft, soothing effect. It makes me “linger” longer to feel the “sunlight” and smell the “scent of honeysuckle.” The use of the phrase “held tight” elevates the tanka. For a moment, I feel like I am entranced, absorbed in the present, and in one with nature. I also wonder what the poet is thinking as he/she lingers in the garden. A well-crafted tanka that naturally falls into the s/l/s/l/l structure.

    
     Congratulations to all the winners! To read the full post at Mandy's Pages, please click here.