What the Judges Said

2006 LITERARY COMPETITION WINNERS

Individual Poem Judge Tim Lilburn

#1 Laurence Hutchman, Edmundston, NB “Chinese Erotic Scene at the Royal Ontario Museum”

"What a peculiar, touching, comic act of altruism is caught in the image of the small man pushing the buttocks of his friend in the second century forest. That afternoon, autumnal, bright, quick with unreadable activity, wakes to sensuous life on the page.”

#2 Edith Miller, Fredericton, NB “Cock Pheasant”

"The meticulous description in this poem turns the bird into a metaphysical presence in the landscape, a bit of flame thrown off by the world soul, a presence that thrums ‘through insulated walls.’"

#3 Myrna Garanis, Edmonton, AB “November Triptych”

"November turns up at all our family gatherings, glum uncle, 'less apostolic,' iconoclastic, their sour constant. He draws us together. He is drab and essential as an old coat.”

Short Fiction Judge Stephen Henighan

#1 Colette Maitland, Gananoque, ON “LaPorte 1970”

"'LaPorte 1970' is a complex, sensitive story about the fragility of cultural identity. The author's careful observation of the rituals of childhood illustrates the fusion of the public and the personal.”

#2 Angela Ranson, Moncton, NB “The Resource Kid”

"'The Resource Kid' dramatizes divergent responses to economic hardship in hard-nosed prose and convincingly colloquial dialogue."

#3 Elizabeth Blanchard, Moncton, NB “Drive-Thru”

"'Drive-Thru' balances the emotional and moral stakes inherent in life choices against the ways in which settled arrangements can be disrupted by desire."

Writing for Children Judge Rhea Tregebov

#1 Brent R. Sherrard, Miramichi, NB "Rabbit Boy"

"'Rabbit Boy' tells the story of eleven year old boy facing the stigma of having a cleft palate. In a fluid narrative style that realistically portrays the complexity of the challenges of disability, the author describes not only Ben's struggles with the cruelty of his schoolmates, but with the stoicism and fear that delays his family in finding a medical solution to his problem. This is a moving and ultimately redemptive novel."

#2 Isobel Raven, Toronto, ON "The Ducks of Wimbley Hill"

"In 'The Ducks of Wimbley Hill' Tess and her brother Josh follow the adventures of a mallard family whose ducklings hatch in a neighbour's pool. The author seamlessly includes scientific details about waterbird habitat and behaviour into a compelling story about sibling rivalry and love. In a subtle psychological portrait, Tess must cope not only with her feelings about her brother, but with the loss of her favorite duckling, the 'sport' of the litter."

#3 Caroline Sawyer, Moncton, NB "The Trials of Wexford Weasel"

"'The Trials of Wexford Weasel' is a wacky, rollicking romp about the adventures of Wexford, a well behaved and considerate weasel, and his proteges, the Measels. The author's adept use of rhyme and metre, and unbridled sense of humour, carry the reader through this delightfully silly poem."

Sheree Fitch Judge Marilyn Lerch

#1 Trevor Bringloe, Islandview, NB “Colonel Gange”

"This poem addresses a World War II German soldier. In sharp, economical images, the man is brought alive both as an individual and as a representative of the many like him. The poet is able to convey compassion without falling into mere sentiment. The metaphors giving us the neat, creased, ramrod straight man play off poignantly against his spirit in tatters. All of this accomplished in a few short lines!"

#2 Lindsey MacCallum, Fredericton, NB “Words On A Page”

"Ambitious and whimsical are the words that come to mind about 'Words on a Page.' Its extent is wide, as it attempts to give the feel of those first wonderful moments when words on a page become intelligible and the doors that opened afterwards. All literacy programs should have this poem on their websites."

#3 Lindsey MacCallum, Fredericton NB “Children of the Silent Night”

"This poem deftly turns the tables on those who misperceive deaf-blind people. It is the tone of the poem that is most impressive, for the voice is gentle but firm, admonishing but understanding. This is not an easy tightrope to walk and the artist does not fall off."

Bailey Prize Judge Tammy Armstrong

Miranda Pearson, Vancouver BC “The Aviary”

"This is a very well-crafted collection that moves naturally through explorations of domesticity, nature and the east and west coast of Canada. With beautifully crafted lines such as: 'the housework of tide and big-boned teacups,' I will not be surprised to find this collection published in the near future. A confident voice and a sensitivity to the smaller moments that surround us."

Richards Prize Judge Catherine Bush

Sherry Coffey, Athabasca, AB “A Pattern of Walking”

"An alluring and unusual journey -- a woman aspires to walk from New York City to Siberia in the early days of the 20th century -- told in sharp, clear prose which reveals the ordinary in the fantastic and the fantastic in the ordinary."

Honourable Mention Leona Theis, Saskatoon, SK “Phil & Delorie Were Here”

"A young woman's coming-of-age in 1970's Saskatchewan made vivid by the author's sympathetic intelligence and piquant powers of observation."

Honourable Mention Degan Davis, St. John’s, NF “The Forgetting Room”

"A young man engages with the strangeness of Japan while attempting to map the unknown terrain of his mysterious, now-dead father, a dual search handled with deft and enlivening detail."

Honourable Mention Uma Parameswaran, Winnipeg, MN “Pinto sees the Light and Other Stories”

"Characters confront the complexities of their origins and predicaments in stories that travel from contemporary Iraq and India, to Canada and the US, offering both surprise and an inviting sense of range."