2008 Monash University Prize for Poetry
Since its foundation in 1963, the Monash Poetry Competition has been awarded to a number of students - such as Laurie Duggan and John A. Scott - who have since gone on to become internationally recognised poets. The 2007 competition attracted a record 194 entries, exploring a range of styles from sonnets to free verse and “Beat” expression. Oscar Wilde once wrote that “All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling” - and, while many of this year’s entries showed evidence of deeply-held emotions, the best submissions also demonstrated a careful attention to poetic form.
The winner in 2008 was Chloe Brien for her poem Salivary.
Salivary
With my eye teeth in place
I will eat things, wonderful things.
I’ll crunch through the paintings of the world
like crusty garlic bread,
and I will eat the sun like a wheel of cheese.
I’ll run my tongue along the spires of an old cathedral
and cough at its dry taste.
I’ll gnaw at the hull of an aircraft carrier,
the splendid curve of it so orally appealing.
Never mind the indigestion!
Then for dessert the moon will ooze
silver sweet over my bottom lip.
And for supper, my love,
I’ll chew upon your shapely ears
and drink your red wine mouth
and finally I’ll be sated.
© 2008 Chloe Brien