How many words does it take to make a winning poem? Who knows? Though I’d guess a few technical ones probably helped in the Quantum Words 2018 Science Poetry Competition. Whatever the number, it seems that my poem, Venn diagram, had sufficient for First Place at the Quantum Words Festival of Science Writing at Writing NSW.

Of course it was only a tiny bit intimidating to read out my poem to a verandah-full of scientists (especially the dodgy pun on Avogadro/avocado). But what the heck; I reckon my old Chemistry teacher from Chatswood High, Mrs Roberts, would’ve been proud.

It was great to meet other shortlisted poets, Lorne Johnson and Eileen Chong, and to hear them read their avocado-free science-y poems about birds and blastocysts (or lack thereof). Thanks to Writing NSW, and poetry judges Tricia Dearborn, Benjamin Dodds and Jane McCredie. You can read the judges’ report, and all the shortlisted poems here.