Sparx – an annual journal of writings of members of the Society of Women Writers Victoria.

This issue has a Covid theme as well as the winning entries of the Kathryn Purnell Poetry Award.

A Covid inspired theme is perhaps not a highly original theme in our current world-wide situation. The variety of written responses from members however, has much the reader will be able to relate to – haunting, sad, happy, despairing, inspirational, confused, humourous, the big picture and the tiny one-person-only events. I found solace in writing about ‘Faeries, Leprechauns and Midges’ when the heaviness of Covid words weighed me down. Pandemics have devastated the world periodically for thousands of years but the memories of Torc Waterfall in Killarney, its waters continually tumbling over higgledy-piggledy rocks as they have always done, offered me hope, and hopefully hope to those who may read it. The winning entries of the Kathryn Purnell Poetry Award, with the detailed judges report were equally varied in content.  My poem, ‘Hindsight’, receiving a highly commended in this Award, is an exploration of the day my Dad died. I’m glad my poem has found a home.