FOURTH APOKALIPSA CONTEST 2001
Slovenia .

 

Information : Alenka Zorman (Ljubljana, Slovenia) The number of participants: 132 The jury: Dimitar Anakiev, Ivan Dobnik, Maja Novak, Primož Repar Comments by Dimitar Anakiev Translation: Silva Mizerit, Alenka Zorman Proof-reader: Jim Kacian The first prize: popek v pajčevini rosnih kapljic sonca izgovori ime a bud in the mesh of sunlit dewdrops utters a name Dominique Reščič, Črešnjevci, Slovenia A "surrealistic" moment with a distinctive poetic load in which the elements of the impression (dewdrops lit by sunshine) intertwine with the elements of inner experience, resulting in a lyrical expression. The key word "name", the center of the experience, has a symbolic function, opening various layers of perception of this inner impression. It is a complex poem with a plethora of meanings, which shows the "density of entity (existence)" in the right way. The poetic surprise is in the third line, the point of the poem.   The second prize: dremanje v avtu za vetrobranom potujejo roji zvezd dozing in the car -- behind the windshield swarms of stars Darja Kocjančič, Ljubljana, Slovenia This lyric impression could perhaps be a scene in a film by Tarkovski: "a captured moment . . . opening into eternity". This haiku is very near to the principles of classic haiku: expression in the first line, break, lyric impression. In the original the poet placed a verb (travel) in the third line, but it is stronger without, or at least located in the second: - behind the windshield travel - and in the third line to keep only the point: - swarms of stars - because the poet would in this way achieve distinctively focused surprise. The key word, the center of the poem, is the word "stars".   The third prize: nova veriga na zarjavelih vratih razpadle hiše new chain on the rusted gate of a ruined house Silva Mizerit, Domžale, Slovenia This poem works on the principle of "counterpoint", poetic tension sparkling in the contrast new/old. The picture of a rusty gate and ruined house arouses romantic feelings of a vanished past, associates awakened memories, history and patina, which someone has "embraced" with a new chain. The surplus of meaning is of course in the symbol, the function of the picture. Each day someone puts a new chain on the past which can not resist. The key word is "chain".   Best cycle is the series of haiku by Alenka Zorman, Ljubljana, Slovenia. It is obvious that its author can use haiku as the means of her own expression, although its technique could be better. The haiku are youthful, quite equal in quality, still, two of them should be brought to special attention: zaviranje avtobusa me primakne k neznancu braking the bus brings me closer to a stranger An extraordinary refined observation, worthy of our admiration. The lyrical moment can be found on the thread of human relations. The key word "stranger" (like "foreigner") has a general cultural and sociological meaning: the fact that braking the bus draws the author to the unknown opens countless associations and feelings. This poem is an excellent example of the meanings which the key word can carry. nikogar na gori - molčim s kamni no one on the mountain -- I am silent as the stones A nicely caught meditative moment, the key word being "stones". The connection between a human and a stone has archetypal depth. The other haiku of the series by Alenka Zorman: rojstna hiša na podboju črtice o moji rasti my parents' house -- on the doorjamb the pencil-lines of my growth breskvini popki njegov bežni pogled pod mojo bluzo peach buds -- his glance under my blouse oktobrsko jutro grizljam Adamovo jabolko October morning -- I am nibbling the Adam's apple prometna zmeda gospa v avtobusu rešuje križanko traffic jam -- a lady in the bus doing crossword Honorable mention: ptičje petje tišina obujenih spominov birds' song -- the silence of woken memories Ljudmila Conradi, Celje, Slovenia This poem also works on the principle of "counterpoint" song - silence, crowned with woken memories. mrzli čevlji palec je našel luknjo v nogavici cold shoes -- my big toe has found the hole in the sock Boris Nazansky, Zagreb, Croatia A vital perception of an ordinary day mostly acts by its freshness than by the poetical meaning. Some people would treat this haiku as "zen haiku". The key word is "hole".

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