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Judge’s Comment<br />
This is a very sad poem, with the refrain and the rhythm remanent of a<br />
bell’s mournful toll perfectly capturing the sorrow of the girl and the<br />
poet/observer who, it seems, cares.<br />
George FINLAYSON, 14<br />
The Scots College<br />
KANGAROO VALLEY NSW<br />
Manyana*<br />
I love this place<br />
I love the breaking of the clean, crisp waves onto the reef<br />
And the green trees on the island<br />
And the fish swimming aimlessly<br />
Eyes darting, tail swerving<br />
And the seaweed<br />
Engulfing the reef<br />
Brown, green, spiky, soft<br />
Trying to attach themselves to our leg ropes<br />
While we paddle out through the drifting current.<br />
I spent most of my holidays here<br />
Surfing on various boards I'd borrowed<br />
From local friends and family<br />
With young Will Regan<br />
Slowly riding bikes to the store<br />
Eating hot chips<br />
And buying a backpack worth of lollies<br />
I eat all the leftovers<br />
Until my belly is full<br />
I can eat<br />
I can surf<br />
I know all about this place<br />
I have all I need here<br />
In the people and places<br />
Of Manyana<br />
My favourite place.<br />
Judge’s Comment<br />
The poet has used Steven Herrick’s poem as a template here, to great<br />
effect. The structure echoes the original, but the poet has made it his<br />
own, to paint a picture of his own special place, and the memories it holds<br />
for him. Lovely.
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