Words Rhymes & Rhythm Publishers is receiving entries for the
February-March 2020 edition of the BRIGITTE POIRSON POETRY CONTEST (BPPC). The theme is ‘FRIENDSHIP’.
Of a truth, there are very few things that we can really say have as much an impact on our happiness and enjoyment (or tolerance) of life as the friendships we create and maintain as we spend our time on earth.
“Awards become corroded. Friends gather no dust”, in the words of Jesse Owens. But, again, we all know fake friends are more dangerous than enemies.
Let your Muse celebrate friendship from your own angle: Rate it. Denigrate it. Celebrate it. Define it. Live it in your poetry.
Remember that poetry is about inspiration. It is also an art. Use carefully edited lines and nicely original stylistic devices to express the best of your poetic heart for the sake of sharing great poetry. Be inspired!
Participants should note that Judges will consider ORIGINALITY, WORD ECONOMY, adherence to THEME, CREATIVITY in LANGUAGE and STYLE as well as the use of LITERARY DEVICES in the poems.
Prize to be won:
- There will be three winners: ₦15,000 (first prize), ₦10,000 (second prize) and ₦5,000 (third prize). The winners will also receive a certificate of award and a copy of the BPPC 2020 anthology
- All top 10 poems will be automatically entered for the Albert Jungers Poetry Prize (AJPP) 2020
- All top 30 poems will be published in the monthly BPPC chapbook
- All top 10 poems will be published in the annual BPPC 2020 anthology
- All top 10 poets will receive a free copy of the BPPC 2020 anthology
Guidelines:
- Contestants are invited to submit one poem on the theme
- Submissions should be sent to SUBMISSIONS@WRR.NG
- All entries must be the original work of the poet submitting it
- No ATTACHMENTS. Please submit the poem and other details as the body of the mail
- The CONTESTANT NAME, CONTEST MONTH, & POEM TITLE must be mentioned clearly, as the subject of the e-mail. For example: ‘Abubakar Nnamdi Adekunle, BPPC February 2020, ‘FRIENDSHIP’
- The maximum length of the poem should be 28 lines (plus the title). Non-compliance or using excessively long lines will lead to disqualification.
- Authors must provide their FULL NAMES and Facebook ID [for identification]and a 50-100 word biography in the body of the e-mail
Deadline: 11:59 PM Saturday, February 29, 2020.
Note that:
- No entry fee required
- Poems containing profanity, racism or vulgarity will be automatically disqualified
- The poems will be judged based on their artistic quality and creativity
- The judges’ decision is final and under no circumstances will they enter into any correspondence with entrants regarding their decisions
- The copyright of each submission remains with its owner but we retain the right to publish ALL and ANY entry in the annual BPPC anthology
- Poets resident in any part of the world are eligible
- Past winners may enter for the competition, but a poet can only one once in a calendar year (Season). If a past winner makes the TOP 10, the poems will ONLY be awarded a certificate and be featured in the anthology
- Entrants are not allowed to submit poems by proxy as it would lead to disqualification
The last edition of the BPPC (September 2019) was won by Anuoluwa Olusegun Soneye.
The best entry of the season (February 2020 to September 2020) will be awarded the Albert Jungers Poetry Prize (AJPP) which was won by Emmanuel Faith in 2019.
The BRIGITTE POIRSON POETRY CONTESTis a writing contest aimed at rewarding the under-appreciated talent of young Nigerian poets. It was instituted in February 2015 in honor of Brigitte Poirson, a French poet and lecturer, editor, who has over the years worked assiduously to promote and support African poetry. Now in its 5th season as one of the few credible contests in Nigeria, the BPPC has become one of country’s most popular, especially among the younger poets.
What’s the email address to send one’s entry to?
Friends or foes?
Just as the tick of time thoroughly runs out
With memories craving to show forth
With awe, I see the sun rise with rays
Spreading across the lawn yet so bright, leaving me in maze
What can I call Cunny Chidi? Friend or foe?
Friends or foes? I know not
Sheep clad in goat’s clothing with wrath
Red-coloured lizards with bellies on ground
Intents,not known yet with smile, they beam and laugh out loud
Flee I say! Like cassava heaps, stick with friends, the world chorus
Friends or foes? I know not
Villains yet Samaritans,rendering help
Yet with guileful guile, schemes they plan
Watch! They could stab,your back will hurt
Flee I say! Ye need allies, the world chorus
Friends or foes? I know not
Do foes exceeds friends not?
In Fantasy land,friends exist I say
Here, I see foes!
Opemiplenty
Opemipo olukog a@ facebook
February 29,2020
The company of a friend is a bliss,
With share and care,
We wine and dine,
In sole meat and sweetest drink,
In love we live our lives.
In twinkle tidings of each day,
We play around each other,
With laughter and sonorous music,
Glamouring our gathering.
Your smile together with the moon radiance
Gladdens my heart at nights.
This never let me leave you easily,
For with you, my day is complete before my sleep.
With you alone, my day is fulfilled and fun-filled,
Flaws and forgiveness define our friendship,
A big heart I owe you,
Painted and smeared with yellow colouring,
To you alone, my bestie.