Competition

Highly Commended

Diamonds aren’t a Girl’s Best Friend
by Ellyza Gray
West Moreton Anglican College, Karrabin, Qld

They say a dog's a man's best friend, so with who are women matched?
I know they say that diamonds rate, but conditions are attached.

If a small gold band and three short words do not follow the sparkly jewel,
The diamond is rejected and the poor man called a fool.

These tiny little stones we love hold more meaning than they should,
And hide in them an evil curse that do much more harm than good.

You see, it causes jealousy if the diamond is too small,
And a broken heart can be at risk if you don't get one at all

A relationship can be at loSS if a diamond's not produced.
Girl meets boy, and the boy does fail. And So then starts abuse.

A funny thing, this diamond is that we base our love around.
When set in gold upon our hand, it mocks us when we frown.

Yet a diamond ring is a treasured gift, no matter who you are.
Without this jewel we feel that we are judged from near and far.

So why do we need these precious gems to define just who we are?
This infatuation we have developed is really quite bizarre!

What of a rock that's set in gold? It all comes from the earth.
The hopes dreams that are set upon it far outweigh its worth.

So if a dog can please a man when he is on his own,
What is there to please a girl when the diamond is forgone?

I'll tell you what a woman needs to keep her company.
A great big smile and confidence in who she wants to be

Highly Commended

Humans and Champions
by Celina Macdonald
Battery Point, Tas

Besides her enormous muscles,
She was toothpick thin.
She stood at the starting blocks,
Not even slightly nervous.
Why would she be?
She'd had her nerves removed,
As they're unnecessary to win a race.
Useless feelings can create drag when running.
She'd trained for months.
Instead of food,
She ate powders diluted in water,
And took her "vitamins" in the dressing rooms each day.
There were plenty of great athletes in this race,
But not great enough:
Humans can't be champions.
Her only feeling left was longing.
They kept it in when they'd operated.
She needed to want the gold medal,
Or she wouldn't win.
Today,
As always,
She reached the finish line first.
Holding her gold medal,
A tear rolled down her cheek.
Everyone assumed she was crying with joy.
They were wrong.
It was because,
Even though she didn't know why,
She longed to be like the others.