The winners of the 2009 Khronicles Poetry Contest have been announced by the two judges, Ellen Weijers, a noted artist and poet, who reviewed the English poems, and Nikos Gigourtakis, a professor of literature at the Music School of Iraklion, who judged the Greek works.

In the English language category, first place honours went to Gill Kirkby for the poem The Cat, which appeared in the August edition, while Steve Briggs won honourable mention for his work entitled A Smile For All, the selection of the month for last March.

In the Greek language category, Maria Didahou was awarded top prize for her untitled work from a collection of poems, printed in the March edition, and Vasiliki Alexaki-Hronaki won honourable mention for To the Memory of Maria Hronaki printed in the August edition.

In commenting on the winning poem, Mrs. Weijers, who is the creator of Pegasus Paper Art, a professional design company in Kokkini Hani, said: The language is descriptive with appealing word pictures. The beauty of the poem is in the thoughts it evokes.  It’s a powerful poem, one that moved me . . . showing me that a cat is not just a cat…it is a delightful poem."

In choosing honourable mention, Mrs. Weijers said: "The poet/poetess uses pleasant rhythm and meter and the poem is easy to read."

Explaining his choices for the Greek language winners, Mr. Gigourtakis, who has organized many literary and musical events, said that he chose the winning work based on its "ripe wording without unnecessary phrases and with a correct choice of meanings…the author makes poetic sense, with promises of a good development in the future."

Explaining his honourable mention selection, Mr. Gigourtakis said: "It shows comfort of expression, successful poetic images, and good equations of sentiments-words…more prose style than poetic style."

In all, there were nine English poems and seven Greek poems reviewed by the judges, and all can be read by clicking the "poetry corner" link on The Khronicles website, www.ko-go.gr.  The four winners will receive their awards at a special presentation ceremony later this month.

The 2010 poetry competition, which is open to everyone, will begin with the March edition of The Khronicles. Poems can be submitted by Fax: 2810-762816; by E-mail: poetry@ko-go.gr , or in person at our editorial offices in Kokkini Hani.