Now, For the Honorable Mentions!
I read so many great poems during this round, and I accepted some for publication in Issue 7 of Lit Shark Magazine: The SHARK WEEK Edition, and Issue 8 of Lit Shark Magazine: The Spooky (TEETH) Edition, both coming in November 2024, but there were three that I HAD to nominate for an Honorable Mention:
Peter Kay – “Rock”
The persona found in Peter’s poem breaks the fourth wall and addresses the reader directly, asking them repeatedly if they have experienced this or that. But as the experiences become more specific in detail, as well as more emotionally and psychologically demanding, the poem takes on an edginess that would be uncomfortable if it weren’t work Peter’s writing style and thoughtful use of imagery. The poem does not flinch, but it balances beautifully between the difficult, the insurmountable, and the gracious.
