2009 Poetry Tournament, Eastern Region Round 1

You could call this Round 1, Group 1 since it's only the first 8 poets. But since I'm a little short of time I'll have to have Round 1, Group 2 tomorrow or Tuesday. But here you go (I hope this captures the essence of Schomburg's fun poetry tournament exercise):

* * *

Ethan Paquin, "[people are/wherever there's clouds/starry curvature]"

vs.
Joshua Beckman, "Lament for the Death of a Bullfighter"

WINNER: Joshua Beckman, "Lament for the Death of a Bullfighter"

* * *

Anthony McCann, "Father of Noise Ceremony"
vs.
Ellen Dudley, "The Bats"

WINNER: Anthony McCann, "Father of Noise Ceremony" - it was close but McCann nailed the ending like a gymnast nailing a dismount from a pommel horse.

* * *

Rod Smith, "the egret says..."
vs.
Joan Houlihan, "Squall Line"

WINNER: Joan Houlihan, "Squall Line"

* * *

Susan Grimm, "Green Wave"
vs.
Jim Daniels, "The Dark Planet"

WINNER: Jim Daniels, "The Dark Planet" - this one was close as well but its hard to compete with Daniels' ending:

"A smudge at memory's edge: love's
tender silence. Footsteps." (ll. 9-10)

I really love the simple yet stark language alongside the haunting footsteps.

* * *

So, the forthcoming Round 2 for the first group will be:

Joshua Beckman, "Lament for the Death of a Bullfighter"
vs.
Anthony McCann, "Father of Noise Ceremony"

and

Joan Houlihan, "Squall Line"
vs.
Jim Daniels, "The Dark Planet"

The host city will be Syracuse, NY for Group 1 (this is a NCAA hoops reference).