We are very pleased to announce that Kinga Fabó’s Not Because It’s Chic is the voters’ choice for the IS&T Pick of the Month for July. Kinga has asked that her prize be donated to Age UK

 

Not Because It’s Chic

 

Here I have a place
where I can be sad.
I adore it. I adore it.

I exist only in roles.
I want colors! Colors!
Just as above me the sky is always blue.

Not because it’s chic. Not because of that.

 

………………….

Voters’ comments included:

simple and extraordinary at the same time

I like the simple words, the conciseness and the message of the poem. The usual reason: felt, experienced by everybody, written by one of us in a way that makes us relieved – some others feel like us as well…

She is one of my favorite Hungarian contemporary poets. She is lovely and so expressive.

Good, succinct poem.

 

………………….

 

It was, as always, a closely run thing and so this time we’ve included some voters’ comments on the other five contenders.

David Calcutt, Extracts from The Old Man in the House of Bone:

   Beautiful. Interesting. Sustained.

   mysterious, dreamlike, as if the old man’s mind is wandering. It is well constructed and intriguing.

Susan Castillo Street, Voices:

   haunting lyrical imagery, reaches the heart,tender and powerful.

   Much treasure in a small compass!

Sally Evans, Review of Abiding Chemistry by Susan Castillo Street:

   …a superb and insightful review.

Ilse Pedler, Breathing:

   A compulsive read and very thought provoking. A poem I wanted to read again and again.

   As basic as breath itself. So true.

Jill Sharp, Leda plucks a swan:

   Imaginatively reconsiders it’s subject matter and delivers a cascade of memorable imagery.

   Revenge, a warm swan salad….