On Thursday I entered a Poetry Slam competition at a local bar/nightclub.

The field was small, but the standard was very high. Not being aware of the rules, I probably ended up reading my poems in the wrong order.

The competition was structured in three rounds, with the highest aggregate score being declared the winner. Not realising this, I probably read my poems in the wrong order.

I first read "Pilgrim's Return", followed by "Fairy Tale" and "My Brother's Kidnapping" (which I've just posted here). Really, I should have saved "Pilgrim's Return" until last, since I think it's my strongest poem, and the one that lends itself best to performance.

Nonetheless, I won!!

I collected $100 in prize money (wow, the first time I've been paid for my poetry!), and will go through to the next round with other heat winners. Needless to say, I'm absolutely thrilled.

In other poetry news, I've started what looks to be a major cycle. The working title is Daughters, and I'm looking at what it means to be a daughter through the lens of certain myths.


I've also started a novel ... not too sure how that's going, though.

But hey - I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth.