SAY Writing Competition Entries - Results announced: October 7, 2004

Say,  Say Again,  Whoever You Are,  Say! Readers determine the winners in 2004 ISBN 0-9751758-0-7  Read the Book      Results      Rules     Contact Us

CONTENTS (Short Stories, Essays and Poems) The Why 1. Everyone has a Story to Tell (A heartfelt piece on why writers express themselves through their words) Holly Mitchell, Juneau Alaska 2. Clandestine Song Serge Ntamack, macknta2002@yahoo.fr 3. Crying Out Loud (A piece of reflection) J A Herbert, Hove East Sussex 4. Battleground (A performance poem about an experience I had with a local, after protesting at the Baxter Detention Centre in SA) Kel Watson, kelwatson@mailcan.com 5. Is anyone there? Does anyone care? (A recovering alcoholic’s attempt to make amends. Finished after the death of her youngest son) Pat Cohn, Clifton NJ 6. The Story of the Hummingbird’s Return (A family’s trials and the symbolic return of a family of hummingbirds) Lynne Hatfield 7. WoG_A_RaMa (A funny tale about what it's like growing up being a wog. It is at times exaggerated but all that I have written about is true and has happened) WoG_A_RaMa, Blackburn North VIC, sofie_albanis@yahoo.com.au 8. Chung’s Adventures (A fantasy story about the adventures of Chung and all the circumstances he has to overcome) Wes and Holly, westleyholly@hotmail.com 9. Wrong again? (The trials and tribulations of a name too often mispronounced and misspelt) Josette Ackad, Bankstown NSW 10. Wild mirth and tea William Gallacher, Ayrshire 11. My burgeoning Waistline (She realises that she is losing the battle of the bulge and gives us some funny everyday stories that everyone can relate to) Grevillea, South Frankston VIC 12. The voice from within Marsha Ritcher, Cottage Grove Oregon, simbabluedoggies@earthlink.net 13. The Riverbank (A short story about a young woman trapped in a rural life with nowhere to go - but to the riverbank) Linda Harrigan, Ottawa ON, womanofwords@sympatico.ca 14. Mommy (Poem on abortion) Erin Kress, Reno NV 15. Paradox (You might not get it at first. Good. Now read it again, slowly. Keep reading it until you can envision what some part of it means, and think on it. Then read it again) Stephen Slaboda, San Antonio TX 16. With boundaries undefined (A glimpse of an intuitive life) Olin Keduo, poetic_freedom@yahoo.com 17. Pictures (Life when you’re 23 feeling 40) Ennis CL 18. I Opened the Refrigerator Benjamin John Lee, Castle Hill NSW 19. The Right Price (A poem about the harsh reality) Dustin Darrell Peterson, Wainwright AB 20. Hold-up (Short story about an attempted armored car hold-up) Tabitha Johnson, Floodwood MN 21. This Dismal Cold (Poem describing a woman murdering her rapist) Yanlaina, Winchester VA, yanniewiz@yahoo.com 22. The Effects of Brutality (An essay about the horrific experience of nearly being sexually assaulted. It aims to make the larger, more philosophical point that it is not so much the antagonistic action that harms a person, but the damage done to the person’s psyche) Shenoa Thompson 23. Among Head Hunters (Beginning of the last section of the epic poem, Song of the Earth - the Pemulwuy Cycle, that I am writing about Sydney Aboriginal hero Pemulwuy) Ellyn Lewis, Katoomba NSW 24. No Title Jennifer L. Ross, Newport Beach CA 25. The Ocean of Life (Sitting by the window one day, gazing outward, I suddenly felt impelled to write. I don't know what inspired this piece; I only know that it was indeed an inspiration - and thus the need to share it with others) Lori A. Holmes, Lompoc CA 26. 9/11 (A poem I wrote reflecting back to the terrorist attacks that happened on September 11, 2001) Tosha Simmons, Ila GA 27. Terrorism (An international issue of concern to me) Adrian Praljak, Niddrie VIC 28. Souls of Soldiers (This poem is dedicated to all the soldiers who lost their lives to keep us free) Eric Brandon, Mill Valley CA 29. My yard was safe! (A fictional piece about an altercation with an intruder) D.J Silva, West Sunshine VIC 30. Should I have cared? Westmead NSW 31. Utopia (A descriptive piece about a crazy dream I had. It was, however, the only dream I've ever had that I remembered so clearly. It was perhaps the most vivid, intense experience I'd ever had) Hilary Flynn, San Leandro CA 32. Mind how you go Jason Maher Parkes, Stroud 33. The night... (What happened to me when I got high) Susan Ghanem, Corpus Cristi TX 34. Unjust Laws (An essay about my opinion on the law for the minimum drinking age. It discusses the reasons for my argument and supports with details) Jenna Lee, Manasquan 35. The True Artist Lilathriel, Rushville NY 36. The Day the Music Died (Narrative non-fiction story in memory of my best friend) Lissette Cepero, Miami FL, misfit2monster@yahoo.com 37. Just to see you again (About missing someone that has passed away) sweet_n_inn0cent1234@hotmail.com, Mooroopna VIC 38. My Heart Eileen Wagner, York PA 39. Darkness Stephanie Goodhew, Morningside Brisbane QLD 40. From a letter to my father Stelian Muller, sonne941@yahoo.com 41. Little Star (Dedicated to the hope that wishes do come true even when you think there’s nothing left to dream) Cindy Harmer, Tallahassee FL 42. The Women of the Heat (A short story based on my personal experience in a sauna at a gym and the women who would sweat there) Rachel Mintz, Los Angeles CA 43. Believing (It speaks for itself) Tanya Bushnell, cherub853@hotmail.com 44. The Legend of Mt. Kilauea and Santa Claus (A children's story about how Santa saved Christmas from the mean spirited Mt. Kilauea while helping the volcano at the same time) Donna Nowak 45. Colours of the Sky Elysia, Dee Why Sydney NSW 46. Time And Motion (A short story about a man who feels time is running out) Meg Britton, Taigum QLD 47. When I Die Angie, Bentley Western Australia, angie83@iprimus.com.au 48. Life Holds both Joy and Sorrow (A poem to my wife about making it through life after the loss of our son) Greg Iwanski, Modesto CA 49. The Amazing CEO (A story about a successful Chief Executive Officer, who, for once, has trouble making a difficult decision) bookwormsu, Singapore 50. Carnival (This poem just happened one night after I saw a program on television about a woman with cancer. Much like a small child at a carnival, the woman asked God to allow her to stay at first, but soon found that she truly did not wish to) Meg Massengill, Honea Path SC, BHPangel@netscape.net 51. One Dish at a Time (A short story about unlikely friends) John Taylor, Oak Park IL 52. No Solution Lilly, Blacktown NSW 53. When My Life is Over (I guess many of us have stopped to think about where our lives are leading us or why certain things happen. Maybe things don't have an answer, but we still ask. The following poem is a little like that) Lani Nielsen 54. A True Story (Since my engagement in 9th grade) Zaini, Karachi, shehnaz_abbas53@hotmail.com 55. Can’t Forget (Dedication for my first love, Harley W.) Lacey Wilson, Nevada City CA 56. Paralyzed by my Flame (I was emotionally paralyzed when physically caught in a restaurant by my first love, face to face) Angie Mason, Zanesville Muskingum Ohio 57. Deepest Green (Chapter 1 of an adventure story with a hit of sparkling romance. The full story would leave you spell bound with an ending with a twist) Akina, Tracy CA 58. Hurting again (It’s about how I felt when I talked to my dad again after 3 years. Every time I talk to him he makes me feel worse) Jesica Hayes, Amarillo Texas 59. Illegitimate Laura Butterworth, Melbourne VIC 60. The Storm within Me (How the rainstorms are like our emotions) Amy Downey, Newark NY 61. Empty Space (A poem I wrote in an attempt to banish the angry thoughts of my mother leaving) Kate Emma Williams, Port Lincoln SA 62. I Wonder Why Melody Penner, Valencia CA 63. The Story of Me L. McCrory, GA 64. 3 months of the season Kathleen R Boyle, Chicago IL 65. What's Happening? (This poem is about a girl who was diagnosed with depression, and was being sexually 'touched' by an older man. From then on life felt like it was just not worth living!) Erin, Northam Western Australia 66. Setback (My childhood until now) Monique Whatley, Seabrook TX 67. Life’s Little Ditty Lacey, my_violette@hotmail.com 68. Is it alright to cry? (A motivational poem, putting across the reason why mortals should not cry or swim in tears of sorrow) David Anetor, Lagos, daviduss2000@yahoo.com 69. Dear God (A little girl's prayer about her parents) Suyin Toh, Singapore 70. Death Clowie Marie, Ocean Springs MS, robin_197@yahoo.com 71. Life’s Predicament Kushi, Lagos, moremsuccess@yahoo.com 72. Truth (My poem is about life and the truth that not many people may be aware of) Utopia, Poultney VT 73. Man’s religious obsession Jeannie Kay, Monticello KY 74. Who am I? (Let's try to find out the reality about your real 'Self') Amitt Parikh, Mumbai, Maharashtra, amitt@vsnl.com 75. Life Within Dorothy Lee, Victoria B.C, dorothyl@victoria.tc.ca 76. To my heaven (This poem I dedicate to my best friend and the woman I love. She truly is my heaven; my one desire is to hold her in my arms for an eternity) Matthew Geiger, Townville PA 77. A Beauty aged by Romance Urban Mountaineer, Ithaca NY 78. Look into My Soul (A poem I wrote for my boyfriend, Andrew. He has opened my eyes and made me become a better person) Malissa Floyd, Wallace WV 79. If I Lost You (Losing someone special in one's life and not knowing what to do) Lauren Petty, Cut Off LA 80. Over and Beyond Reach (It's about overcoming a great loss) Farheen Shaikh, Scarborough ON 81. 21 Years Farragh, Melbourne VIC, farragh@farragh.com 82. Memoir Cecil Plank 1901-1993 (My entry is a short creative piece about my grandfather while he was dying of cancer. It is through a child's perspective trying to reflect and recollect the memory of her grandfather and the day he died) Heidi Hofmann, Alta Loma CA 83. Finally (A poem after my life FINALLY started to look up) Nikki, Clarinda Iowa 84. Sonnet 1 Benjamin M. Guido, Waterbury CT 85. Love is (The human heart is like soil and love is like a seed) Vanessa Ibiene Ekeke, Lagos 86. Love (A poem describing my feelings about love) Cheryl Richardson, Greenville NC 87. The Beginning Carol Sheppard, St. Petersburg FL 88. Illusion of Love (Poem about deceitfulness and naive trust) Asha`s sorrow, Rockville MD 89. The Toy Mariann Hartley, New Bedford MA 90. The Glass Doll (Have you ever wondered if your doll moved during the night? Or if your doll has a mind and it's thinking and planning all the time? Well Rachel has. And this she finds out as she spends just one night with her possessed glass doll) Chelsea Kelley, La Canada California 91. Rain (Sad and lonely feelings of being friendless, of killing myself) Kaiya Walsh 92. Deemed to Know Why Anubis, Miramichi NB 93. Twisted Simone Ancilleri, Stanmore NSW 94. The way I look upon you Preston, Overland Park KS 95. The Drunken Dave and Clara Story (This is the story of Dave and Clara who planned to marry, but their plans were cut short after a tragic lovemaking encounter) Paul Oranika, Chicago IL 96. Pain (A young girl just finds her boyfriend is cheating. She doesn’t know how to handle it. The only way is suicide) Leesa 97. Moving On (A poem about just getting out of a relationship and going through the period of time where you still have feelings for that person but you know it is time to move on) Sean Harrison, Fort Worth TX 98. Those Three Words Candice, Bracebridge ONT, brody_gurl55@hotmail.com 99. I Call It Love (It’s about a very good friend that I love) Jennifer Jenniges 100. Untitled (About a new love that doesn't know I love him yet) Ann-Marie Reed 101. King-size bed Mike Morell, Yuma AZ, mikesfilms@yahoo.com 102. Scarlet Blood (An evil witch casts a worst nightmare into reality. But later she realizes that her powers had brought back something worse than evil) Reggie Brown, Phoenix Arizona, maleofsteel2003@yahoo.com 103. Running from the Devil (This is the first in a series of stories about the son of the devil. I was born not knowing who I was. Then one dark night it all came to light. This could be called a coming of age story) Logan, Phila PA 104. Oblivious Andrea Gnezda, Fishers IN 105. No Matter What (This poem is about doing what it takes to make love work. In good times and bad times, do what it takes NO MATTER WHAT) Karl Anthony Dwenger, One Mile QLD 106. If (A love story of an elderly gentleman told through the eyes of his dog) Suyin Toh, Singapore 107. Friends forever (Poem about tomorrow and friends) sweet_n_inn0cent1234, Mooroopna VIC 108. No Matter David Thomas, Warner Robins GA 109. DaZed (The tragedy of confusion) Windy Eubanks, Brush Prairie Washington, spoungesue@msn.com 110. No Longer Living but not Dead Jessica Emily Reibel, Cheboygan MI 111. A war of existence in one week (Inspired by what happened in a week) Daniel Voelkel, Oshkosh Wis, mtnman54901@yahoo.com 112. The Leaf That Never Falls Taraneh Javanbakht, Montreal QC 113. Crazy Old World Horace Davis, Detroit MI 114. Life (This is something that I thought about for a long time. I tried my best to put in words. It is about how life should be) Kavina Carrington, Baytown TX 115. What If?? (Inspirational poem) Natasha Norman, Buccan QLD 116. The Flower of Torture (A teen boy and girl come upon a patch of seemingly beautiful flowers, though when they get closer to the tempting flowers they are no longer enticing and are now out to torment the two innocent teens) Miss Rebecca, Middletown DE 117. Dark Side Tree Alexandra Behrens 118. Vampire Lust Alice Hewson, California Sonora 119. Vampires (I wrote this poem for my honors English class. It was published in the school newsletter and the yearbook) Paige Duthie, Prescott Valley AZ 120. Meat Eater Rick Van Dam, Ashfield NSW 121. Straight for the Day (A humorous poem about how I spent many of my days. It also shows how simplistic my life is) Jerry Lawrence, Baton Rouge LA 122. Remaking my Life Lizzy Shirley Sultzer, Barrington RI 123. Believe in Yourself Asamoah Kwabena, wapaapa@hotmail.com 124. Victory will be Ours Michele Lee Moyer, Clinton Township MI 125. Basketball Dream (A young man's future is on the line - will he make the free throw?) Tony Rodriguez, Lady Lake FL, ohohsheila@peoplepc.com 126. Dream of a Beautiful Rainbow (This is a fairytale poem I wrote for my daughter Ashlee) Sarah Taylor, Queens Park Western Australia 127. THIS ENTRY HAS BEEN DISQUALIFIED 128. Talking Trees G. Balachandar, Tamilnadu 129. Little Boys and Girls Nicole, Palmdale CA, ladiao@sbcglobal.net 130. My daughter Glenda Pennington, Seymour VIC 131. I See Love (A poem for my son) Charissa Conde, Oxford MA 132. Baby Trenton (My entry is about a work experience in my sister's Day care that is still remembered to this day and brings a few laughs now and again) Cindy, Zion IL 133. Doggies Taylor B. Dickson, Denver CO, mullengirl19@aol.com 134. The Conference Called Tope Bello, drivelife4all@yahoo.com 135. The Mysterious Bump (About a surgery I went through in third grade) Jessica Brunner, North Vernon IN 136. One Crazy Ride Angela Ross, Rio Rancho NM 137. My Adventure at the Grand Canyon (PG girl goes to the Grand Canyon and develops friendship with a mountain lion) Heatherina Lucke, San Antonio TX 138. My First Date Amanda Drone, Eldorado IL 139. Angel’s Prayer Candice, Bracebridge ONT, brody_gurl55@hotmail.com 140. The Shot (When Jane Mclane gets a shot something very strange happens) Jordan Bonte 141. Hope (To remind people that there is always hope... The end might just be a new beginning) Kunal Sharma, Westmead NSW

____________________________________________________________________ Entries have been presented in no particular order to discourage selective reading. Entries may have been published with the writer's name, pen name or no name; city, email and/or a brief description depending on the writer's preferences. ____________________________________________________________________ The Why Firstly, this book has been published to invite you to have your say by reading the entries in this volume and voting to indicate your honest opinion. Apart from the writers’ prizes, there is also a voter’s prize of AU$1,000, and will be awarded to the top-ranking voter as described in section "Determination of the Winning Voter". The objective is to provide an open test-bed for all writers from all walks of life and let the readers be the judge of what they like. Every aspect of the SAY writing contests has been extensively researched. Online publication of the entries would be more practical and economical, but would compromise the integrity of the contest since surveys indicate that netizens tend to skim online entries, skipping most, unless they are in print and in front of them. This contest is for writers who sincerely wish to test their entry openly in front of the world. This is groundbreaking. With the advent of the Internet and, more importantly, the dogged determination of the general public everywhere to be a part of it, we are entering a brave new era. Ideally, we are paving the way to a better world where everyone has equal opportunity, everything is open and fair, and decisions are made by the people themselves. Ultimately, the SAY.com.au writing contest hopes to be a small step towards that direction. ____________________________________________________________________ Also in the book: The What The How Contest Rules ____________________________________________________________________