I’ve taken out the Queenland Poetry Arts Queensland 2021 XYZ Prize for Innovation in Spoken Word!!
I’m so proud of myself and glad the judge Anisa Nanduala saw the time, effort and creativity that I put into my poem mash-up Single White Female.
This entry was by far the most creative of all 31 poems. The merging of the 2 pieces fit beautifully into each other. The way she used the typing sound on an iPhone made me feel like I was going through the feelings with her. This award is about innovation in spoken word and pushing the boundaries and taking the listener to a place we have never been. she did that. It’s clear she put a lot of time and effort into the construction of this poem to find the best possible way to express herself.”
Anisa Nanduala, 2021 XYZ Prize judge
Australia’s only national prize that recognises the growing field of spoken word, the prize is named after 2010 Arts Queensland Poet in Residence, Emily XYZ, who left a deep impression on many spoken-word artists in Queensland.
The winning entry combines two of my poems about modern online dating, with a soundscape of mobile phone and morse code effects. I wanted to experiment with mashing up two poems. One was very rhythmically repetitive so it served like a beat for the other poem which is more lyrical.
I win cash money and my poem published by Melbourne Spoken Word.
Head to QLD Poetry Facebook page to watch the award announcement back and hear the poem.