We are delighted to share the results of our Open Your Mind poetry competition for 2023. The winners were announced during Mental Health Week. We again wish to congratulate all winners and commended poets, and thank everyone who joined the competition.
The theme was ‘Mind · Body · Environment’.
A huge Thank You to Leonard James for once again judging the entries.
A few words from Leonard James
“Congratulations to all our Lorikeet poets for their incredible writing. I sincerely hope you are proud of your work, your effort and your self expression. It was an immensely pleasant and positive experience reading you. Remember! When you use your voice and share your experiences you inspire others to do the same. Give it a go, happy or sad, with light or in darkness, just let someone know they’re not so alone.”
Lorikeet Centre Poets
First Place
‘Environment and I’ by Bjorn
Second Place
‘Creating A Good Day’ by Rod
Highly Commended
‘Flowers’ by Diana
‘There Comes A Time’ by Beatrice
All WA Poets
The entries from across WA not only came from a diverse array of folks with a variety of experiences, each had an eclectic eye for language and comparison. These are challenging poems that need their reader to trust them, and will reward the reader if they only walk that little step further into the woods.
First Place
‘Rewind’ by Virginia
Second Place
‘A Fool’s Race’ by Alicia
Third Place
‘A Strange Time To Rhyme’ by Don
Highly Commended
‘Post Partum’ by Lorraine
‘The Kitchen Freezer Sanctuary’ by Nigel
About Leonard James
Leonard James is a poet from Perth, Western Australia (Whadjuk Boodja) who has previously judged the WA Poets Creatrix Prize in 2019 and 2022, as well as the MIFWA ‘Open Your Mind’ poetry competition in 2021. They have been on the organisational team for regular open mic events Perth Poetry Club and Clear Your Throat, have interviewed poets on Kalamunda Community Radio 102.5FM, volunteered at the WA Poets Perth Poetry Festival, and been involved with various events in association with Fellowship of Australian Writers WA and WA Poets. Leonard has also participated in an industry meet and greet, and runs their own Duck & Dash Poetry events organisation which include poetry writing prompts, online fundraisers, book giveaways and several themed showcase events. During Covid, Leonard was invited to participate in the United World of Poetry.
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