The Writer's Circle of Durham Region  announced the winners the 2007 Dan Sullivan Memorial Contest at their annual award ceremony on June the 9th..
       First prize for poetry went to Phyllis Jean Green of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  This is the first time a non-Canadian has won, according to contest co-coordinator Barbara Hunt..   [The winning poem appears below.]
       
WCDR, an organization based in Toronto, Canada, has long been dedicated to encouraging writers by providing them with educational and networking opportunities and other types of support, and promoting the value of writers and writing,
       
This year's judges included Maureen Hynes, a rawlings, and Phil Hall.  More information at Click here
       Contest and membership information are available at Click here .   
                                                                                   

Dancing Still

One moment you were on your sagging porch
cavorting to the sturm und drang of an August
strangler. Cymbals clanged and thunder clapped,
telling us it would be your final performance.
Telling you?  Rain!  you sang with all the voice
you had left.  Rain!!   God, but I love
a good storm.   Lightning pale and lightning
thin, light as the wisps of mist-silvered hair
framing your leukemia ravaged face,
you electrified. Ravished coal sky ogled
you through a net of catch-as-can-patched
screen, the only light an eak from your kitchen
and the pyrotechnic glow that was you
IS, this rain whispers, then taps in Morse code,
No more florist daffodils and horrid pink
satin. Still laughing, still shining, still a star.
Reluctant to go in, I jump in a puddle,
let water stream until thunder applauds..

      (c)  Phyllis Jean Green
    2007
 

    xOx