KNYSNA NEWS - Carly Emma Bam Howard (11) of Sedgefield Primary School will never forget this year's Knysna Literary Festival.
Not only did she win the English poem category, but also a signed copy of author Jo-Ann Richard's book, The Imagined Child.
As part of Howard's prize, she was invited as a guest to "mingle with award-winning authors" at the Turbine Hotel on Saturday morning, March 21. There she also won a copy of Richard's book in a lucky draw.
Her mother, Belinda Howard, said: "Carly Emma is absolutely besides herself she is so delighted. She has loved writing and reading, which is where it all starts, since she was a little girl, so to win the prize for her poem was the first surprise.
"Her pink Canon camera, which she is over-the-moon about, was already a huge treat, but then she went to the Turbine Hotel and won this lucky draw," said her mom.
She said that her daughter had a natural flair for writing and expressing herself.
My Song...
Base-drum trotting down the dusty road,
Slow horse whinnying for his apple,
Trees sighing in the wind,
Birds chirping tirelessly,
Guinea fowl gallivanting scratch, scratch.
This is my song.
Turquoise waves lapping the burning shore,
Composing enchanting lullabies,
As gulls argue rudely,
About bird politics,
Rollers smacking me, making ears throb.
This is my song.
Familiar clank of kitchen pots,
Reassuring chatter of fam’ly,
My mom’s blissful laughter,
The teasing sound of jokes,
Sunday, the fam’ly lunch lunchy-ness.
This is my song.
Earphones blaring, thumping Aerosmith,
Cleo and Mia whining, singing,
Their sad, doggy blues,
Snuggled up in my bed,
Mom softly sighs: ‘Good night Carly bug.’
That’s my song.
What’s yours?
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