2010 Villanelle Contest Archives

Okay, this was an evil contest for the judge who has been tortured trying to decide among the Final Five (not to mention the other estimable entries). Never mind that after the aphorism contest the judge had to hide out in Sea Hills, NJ, for five weeks to avoid violence and public opprobrium. This time the pain was in the judging (and, believe me, the judge tried to hand off the honours but was flatly turned down several times). This time the general quality of the entries was so high, surprisingly high–it seems the NC crowd is upping its game, rising to the occasion. (I hope I haven’t turned you all into poets!) The Final Five are all just fascinating poems. And Gary Garvin may hedge about his “Spam Villanelle,” but you have to grant him the wit of the initial conception and the follow-through. The poems Gwen Mullins and Anne de Marcken entered are definitely the most “felt” poems, delicately threading emotion, language and thought. Of these two, the judge possibly admires the Anne de Marcken poem the most but he likes the Gwen Mullins poem on personal grounds–he has sons growing up. But then the judge appreciates the brash humour, the pure joy of Julie Larios’s ratty-ness poem. He wanted that one to win, especially because his dog makes a brief appearance (apparently a part of Julie’s inner menagerie, go figure). And finally he decided that Julie’s “At Play” should win because he admired it spareness and clarity of line and thought and its lovely description of the act of thought or writing. And so he thought he was done. But then he read them all again–torn, torn as he was upon the rack of ART!–

As usual, across the continent vast crowds line up to vote in the villanelle contest!

Voting has officially closed in the in the 2010 Numéro Cinq Villanelle Contest. The people have deliberated and formed an opinion. Let it be recalled that in ancient times the great Greek tragedies were written in just such an atmosphere of competition and public debate, the agon of literary competition. These Numéro Cinq contests are in a direct line with the classical contests that forced artists to make their greatest efforts. Beauty and competition have always gone hand in hand.

Click here to see the winning poems!

The judge and his dog

After an orgy of gin & tonics, a sleepless night, and a long, heartfelt discussion with a blue dog, the judge (anonymous) has rendered a decision. (Remember him in your prayers.) Below, please find the poetic finalists for this year’s contest.

“Spam Villanelle” made the final cut for its outrageous inventiveness. Julie placed two poems in the top five which will no doubt embarrass her, but what can one say? Gwen Mullins, obviously. And Anne de Marcken for the lovely juxtaposition of the inner and outer sea.

There are some wonderful poems in the entry list, all worth reading, especially dg’s (alas, he can never win) and Jacob’s sheepfold poem written after reading Tristan Tzara and Natasha’s cell phone poem and Anna Maria’s snake poem and Julie Marden’s students’ heart-breaking poem. And more. It’s amazing to see the NC crowd pitch in and enjoy writing for writing’s sake, to try unaccustomed forms and genres. In pretty much every villanelle, there was a moment of inspiration, a line with zing, a bit of quirky humour or a thought well-turned. I love watching these contests unfold, watching the minds at play. It’s also lovely to see Sage & Sarah join the fray and the general atmosphere of welcome and support. Five months and it already seems like a special place.

Voting is now CLOSED for the 2010 Numéro Cinq Annual Villanelle People’s Choice Competition. Gary, this time you cannot vote more than once (although if you are indecisive, you can change your vote). The judges are puzzling over what to do with David Helwig who wants to be considered in the Golden Age category. Also there are three entries from authors under 16. Since voters have already begun splitting their votes, we shall just continue except that the new “Barracuda Class” will be for authors under the age of 16 (Sage, Sarah & Julie Marden’s students Danny & Anibelys).

In any case, let popular opinion reign here. Remember that so far no one has been expelled from Numéro Cinq for over-indulgence of psychotropic drugs or expressing incorrect ideas.

The official entry list is here. Vote for your preference in the COMMENTS section below this post. Voting closes midnight next Saturday, May 22, 2010. Remember, ANYONE can vote!

And for your edification, I attach a photo of Hobbes which proves without a doubt that he is not fat as suggested in one of the entries.

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As of Saturday midnight the votes cast are: