Dragonfly competition
Dragonfly competition
Results
I loved all of your entries and found it really hard to choose, but finally decided on the two below as they came closest to my idea of the culture of the Blue Crescent Islands, restrained and poetic. Tashi will now send them by pigeon on Mid Winter's Day to all the islands.
Winners:
Jessica Frost - first place
Heather Z (for first entry) - runner up
If the winners would like to contact me via the message board below with their address I can send out the prizes (not by pigeon though).
And to everyone else who entered, thank you for taking the time - I hope you found it fun to try a mada. Look out for my next competition coming in the New Year!
Julia
Dragonfly Competition - what you had to do
Tashi's culture values poetry so you are invited to send in a 'mada' for use at the next New Year festival.
Rules
1. The poem must have four lines and 48 syllables.
2. You should choose a topic from the book such as Tashi's first impression of Ramil, the circus folk, the Blue Crescent Islands etc.
Tashi will select her favourite at the beginning of winter (1 December 2009 - the closing date for this competition) so it can be sent by carrier pigeon across the islands! The winner and two runner's up will win signed copies of my books.
So start composing and then submit them on the message form below. You'll be able to read the other entries here and are welcome to post comments (though only encouraging ones please for your fellow poets!)
Julia
Messages
Darshana wrote on 02 December 2009:
When will the winners be announced? (I'll try to judge it this week. Look after the weekend. J)
Heather Z. wrote on 02 December 2009:
Entry 2 Little goat-herd, small one, where did you learn to throw?/ Over cliffs and water and desert you've gone/ But who am I? Little one, you already know./ Sometimes painted, sometimes not, you've always been Tashi.
Heather Z. wrote on 01 December 2009:
Entry 1: I have changed. My sisters say too much. I disagree./ Every year they change too - a wrinkle proves that./ The world grows: leaves, rocks, all our Mother gave us. And I?/ I wish to be like the ever-changing moon.
Tolu wrote on 29 November 2009:
this is my poem:two nations come together in a time of war/two people stolen by a deadly claw/adventure takes them as they give a dragonfly and a horse/and one has to decide between duty and love.
Madison R. wrote on 28 November 2009:
Okay, here's my last entry: I look towards the sharp drop of the cliff / Then do it, says the voice in my head / I would rather face death than be a slave, so I agree with what the voice says / "Goodbye, Ram." I whisper before jumping.
Kat wrote on 26 November 2009:
I apologize if there are more (or less) than forty-eight syllables in my poem but I am unsure as to the pronunciation of the islands: Four Islands, alike in faith, apart in size/Four Islands: Kai, Rama, Lir-Salu, Phonilara/Four Princesses to keep the islands holy/Mother bless our four islands, and let our faith remain strong
sophia wrote on 24 November 2009:
How r u going 2 tell us if we win???? (I'll announce it on this site as usual. Check at beginning of December. J)
sophia (aka loyal Julia Golding Fan) wrote on 24 November 2009:
The Blue Crescent Islands (title) (1)A glowing red sphere seems to float on the sea (2)The shrieking white gulls above all flying free (3)White faced maidens pace gracefully across the fine sand (4)A mix of this all: the most wonderful land
Madison R. wrote on 23 November 2009:
Here's my second poem: The revelation came, and Ramil was surprised / To discover that the girl whom he had hated, with the kohl around her eyes / Was the one his heart now loved / And the flower he made her showed just that.
Madison R. wrote on 23 November 2009:
I hear what the slave driver says / That she jumped off the cliff / Brave, beautiful and loyal 'till the end / Tashi, my love, how can I live on without you? Alas, my dragonfly has flown away.
Lucy milner wrote on 22 November 2009:
Their marrige so obscure their love so unsure/ yet ramil loves tashi and tashi loves ramil/ they both will forever and always will/as the goddess does will.... Thanks for the opertunity love your books. Lucy milner x
Ellie wrote on 20 November 2009:
Who is this fragile dragonfly whose face is always painted pale?/Her eyes are black with kohl, her hair held in a veil/I thought I did not love her, but now I cannot tell/She was so brave and noble, when she was put through hell.
Jessica Frost wrote on 19 November 2009:
Here is another entry: He kissed her softly under the midnight moon/ Her breath caught in her throat as she surveyed him softly/ Beautiful Ramil, with his mysterious eyes/ For once the ruthless enemy is forgotten.
Darshana wrote on 18 November 2009:
Sorry if this is really bad! Here is my poem: It is so hard to choose between my love and my country./ The slavers stand there, looking at me/ Oh, my love, what do I do? I dont want to leave you, but i must./ Oh my darling,I am so sorry.../
Jessica B wrote on 16 November 2009:
Here is my poem: Air is snatched from my lips as the current drags me under/I fight to stay conscious as I battle nature/My limbs go numb and my mind starts to dull/I think of my love and begin to fight once more
Jessica Frost wrote on 16 November 2009:
I have already submitted one poem. Can I submit another or is the limit one per person? Thanks, Jess x (You can put in another if you like. J)
Jessica Frost wrote on 08 November 2009:
This is my 'mada': The bitter cold Fens in Winter; such a strange place. Wild birds fly with their eerie calls slicing the sky. Icy white reeds dance in the season’s breath. Suffocating mist holds a prince and princess in its wrath.
Kelsey wrote on 05 November 2009:
heres another.....i think iv become obsesed! : To the black-ash gates they take her,/ She travels with a beast,/ She battles with it constintly./ She defeats the inner rogue and loves the out... just starting Wolf Cry...cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lucy Milner wrote on 04 November 2009:
Hi, here is my poem! It was almost comical to watch Ramil's lip curl, As he watched Tashi go riding with Merl, How he wished he, like Merl, had taken it slow, mabye now they would have a wedding bond to sew. Oh Poor Ramil... thanks so much for setting up this compatition, it was so fun to do! and Drangonfly is my favoutrite book EVER so that made it extra-great! Love you books, keep writing. Lucy Milner XX
Laura Smith wrote on 02 November 2009:
I have the book and i want to enter but i'm a bit stuck on what to do it about, please oh please could you help? Love from lilylilly (Hi see other advice and examples below. Any standard is fine - the point is to have a go. Julia)
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