woodcarverspoetry competition 2006

Hello woodcarvers of the world,

A while a ago I asked you all to let “wood” be your inspiration in poetry and to enjoy whatever creations come from it and learn.

To my great surprise you have not only done that, you have done much more!

I found that with each entered poem I read, I became more and more impressed, inspired and awed by everyone’s talent.

How could I ever become as talented as so many participants are in so many ways, impossible it seemed, yet you all made me feel like I am part of a great group, a great big circle of friends.

Someone dear to me told me once upon a time a few years ago that belonging to this big circle of friends and carvers alike is like being part of a big happy family all helping, teaching, sharing their wisdoms with each other.

Knowing so many people and belonging to this big circle of carving friends certainly made me feel like a very rich person indeed with a wealth of friends money could never buy.

I could not have imagined when I started this woodcarvers poetry competition that it would become such a huge success.

206 wonderful poems were submitted, each one of them a work of art by their own right.

You can imagine how difficult it is to have to pick only one for each category when there was so many good ones to choose from.

That’s why I asked 4 friends and master carvers to help me judge them as best as they could.

Sally Nye, Bill Judt, Jan Oegema and Matt Kelley put their minds, eyes, hands and hearts into it and judged each poem as best as there ability and knowledge could , being fair, sincere and honest in their judging, making sure every poem got the same attention and was judged properly.

Thank you Sally, Bill, Jan and Matt for having been such great judges in the this successful woodcarvers poetry competition.

I am very grateful and cannot thank you enough for the kindness and patience you have all shown me throughout this competition, once again thank you very much Sally, Bill, Jan and Matt.

Finally it is with great pride that I announce the winners of the “woodcarvers poetry competition”.

Category one for “ BEST CARVERS POEM OVERALL”

Goes to “ DOUGLAS RIDLEY” from PADUCAH, KY.USA.

Douglas Ridley has won a “150 dollar gift certificate” to “the woodcraft shop”,

A wood spirit carved bye Jan Oegema,

And a one year subscription to “carving magazine” donated by “carving magazine”

Woodcarver's Heaven

I dreamed I died and went to the place

Where old woodcarvers go.

I watched the carvers sitting there

On the clouds as white as snow.

And I gazed on all my heroes

Making chips the whole day through.

There was Kaisersatt and Rondo

And Vicki Branson,too,

Tom Wolfe and Robert Guge

Suzuki and Vic Hood

Fred Cogelow, Bob Berry,

And Neil Cox, (he's so good).

Frank Russell had his power tools out,

Making a lot of dust.

Jeff Phares was carving a mountain man,

Another outstanding bust.

Dee Hajny was doing a Cougar,

Sleeping in a tree,

Rex Branson's carving was an Indian Chief,

Even bigger than me.

Muehlmatt was burning a Woodcock,

Pat Godin was painting a head,

Wayne Barton was doing a checkered plate

While Ransom was painting a Santa red.

I know I will never accomplish

All the things that my heroes have done.

I'll never share in the glory

Of all the ribbons they've won.

But when my carving here's all over with

And the end has come for me.

I hope I can join that group in the clouds

And carve on through Eternity.

Category two for “BEST CARVERS RHYME”

Goes to” HARRY BLACKSMITH” from LONDON, ENGLAND.

Harry Blacksmith has won 100 dollars cash , donated by “Joe Dillet” from the “ask joe column” in carving magazine,

And a handmade “finnish carving puukko knife” donated by “haroun from finland“, made by the “tribal Saami people “of finnish Lapland.

And a one year subscription to “carving magazine” donated by “carving magazine”.

A LIFE UNTOLD, A CARVERS DREAM

Hoping to release a spirit left inside,

One man is carving, his heart, his soul, his pride.

Once a piece of wood, found from a tree,

He’d make to be, a work of art, a piece of history.

A life untold, a life that should,

Words of wisdom, from that spirit in the wood.

A twist, a turn, a polished shine,

Carved perfection, a storytellers find.

Each piece a masters love, a creators view,

The image of a carving, the carver that’s in you.

Hidden to all eyes, a carvers dream,

Wood having come to life, reality it would seem.

Yet, there it is for all, to bring out from inside,

One man’s carving, his heart, his soul, his pride.

by Harry Blacksmith

Category tree for “FUNNIEST CARVERS POEM”

Goes to”CATHY CLARK” from FANNY BAY, CANADA.

Cathy Clark has won a “75 dollar gift certificate “ to “the woodcraft shop”,

And carved flowers carved and donated by “Cathy Krumrei”,

And a one year subscription to “carving magazine” donated by “carving magazine”.

Just One Thing More To Dust

In his shop he did immure

Himself to carve a caricature.

"Just one knife I'll need", he thought

But now three dozen more he's bought.

At every carving show he'll find

Another book to stir the mind.

Fishers, cowboys, bears, a gnome

Now fill every shelf at home.

Though this, in fact, may be my fault

As each carving makes me halt

And, chuckling in delight, I say

"Oh, this one you can't give away."

So as around my home I go

These figures make me smile so.

Until it's time for me to dust

For then I'm very,very fussed.

For even though I do lose heart

To have to wipe each little part,

So many hours , such loving care,

Went into every strand of hair,

So fragile is each leg and arm

That I'm afraid to do them harm.

Thus each creation has it's place

Where I can see it's funny face.

Still Mikey sits and whittles more

And soon they'll cover all the floor.

But wait! This story doesn't end

For now my mind and hands intend

To try this hobby for myself -

Perhaps I'll try to carve an elf.

So, as we sit , the two of us

And carve away from dawn to dusk,

I have to think that now there's just

Another cutesy guy to dust.

By Cathy Clark

Category four for “BEST TRY” at “WOODCARVERSPOETRY”

Goes to”BILL LONGHURST” from”AUSTRALIA”.

Bill Longhurst has won a “ 50 dollar gift certificate to “the woodcraft shop”,

And a “ fan carved bird” carved donated by “ Sally Nye”,

And a one year subscription to “carving magazine” donated by “carving magazine”.

THE CHRISTMAS STAR

They watched the old man carving

as he sat out on his porch.

The shaving seemed so effortless

though he seemed so deep in thought.

“What will it be” a small girl asked

“A whistle or some children’s toy?”

“I think maybe a model train!”

exclaimed a somewhat louder boy.

“Please tell us Sir,” one lady asked,

“what will the finished carving be?

Is it a part of some grand piece,

to be displayed for all to see?”

Then looking up the carver turned

and facing the admiring eyes,

‘twas time to speak and clarify -

his comment bore a huge surprise

And gently rolling down his cheek,

he couldn’t hide the falling tear.

“It’s just a simple Christmas star

to decorate my tree next year.”

“I lost my darling wife, you see.

She was my favourite help and friend.

Her comments always helped me to

improve my carving to the end.”

“This simple star reminds me of her

and when I place it on the tree

I’ll think of all the times we had

- a flood of golden memories. “

William J. Longhurst

Thank you to everyone that has participated in this woodcarvers competition, you have all made it one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Haroun from finland


				*woodcarverspoetry competition 2006*



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		Hello woodcarvers of the world, A while a ago I asked you all to let “wood” be your inspiration in poetry and to enjoy whatever creations come from it and learn. To my great surprise you have not only done that, you have done much more! I found that with each entered poem I read, I became more and more impressed, inspired and awed by everyone’s talent. How could I ever become as talented as so many participants are in so many ways, impossible it seemed, yet you all made me feel like I am part of a great group, a great big circle of friends. Someone dear to me told me once upon a time a few years ago that belonging to this big circle of friends and carvers alike is like being part of a big happy family all helping, teaching, sharing their wisdoms with each other. Knowing so many people and belonging to this big circle of carving friends certainly made me feel like a very rich person indeed with a wealth of friends money could never buy. I could not have imagined when I started this woodcarvers poetry competition that it would become such a huge success. 206 wonderful poems were submitted, each one of them a work of art by their own right. You can imagine how difficult it is to have to pick only one for each category when there was so many good ones to choose from. That’s why I asked 4 friends and master carvers to help me judge them as best as they could. Sally Nye, Bill Judt, Jan Oegema and Matt Kelley put their minds, eyes, hands and hearts into it and judged each poem as best as there ability and knowledge could , being fair, sincere and honest in their judging, making sure every poem got the same attention and was judged properly. Thank you Sally, Bill, Jan and Matt for having been such great judges in the this successful woodcarvers poetry competition. I am very grateful and cannot thank you enough for the kindness and patience you have all shown me throughout this competition, once again thank you very much Sally, Bill, Jan and Matt. Finally it is with great pride that I announce the winners of the “woodcarvers poetry competition”. Category one for “ BEST CARVERS POEM OVERALL” Goes to “ DOUGLAS RIDLEY” from PADUCAH, KY.USA. Douglas Ridley has won a “150 dollar gift certificate” to “the woodcraft shop”, A wood spirit carved bye Jan Oegema, And a one year subscription to “carving magazine” donated by “carving magazine” Woodcarver's Heaven I dreamed I died and went to the place Where old woodcarvers go. I watched the carvers sitting there On the clouds as white as snow. And I gazed on all my heroes Making chips the whole day through. There was Kaisersatt and Rondo And Vicki Branson,too, Tom Wolfe and Robert Guge Suzuki and Vic Hood Fred Cogelow, Bob Berry, And Neil Cox, (he's so good). Frank Russell had his power tools out, Making a lot of dust. Jeff Phares was carving a mountain man, Another outstanding bust. Dee Hajny was doing a Cougar, Sleeping in a tree, Rex Branson's carving was an Indian Chief, Even bigger than me. Muehlmatt was burning a Woodcock, Pat Godin was painting a head, Wayne Barton was doing a checkered plate While Ransom was painting a Santa red. I know I will never accomplish All the things that my heroes have done. I'll never share in the glory Of all the ribbons they've won. But when my carving here's all over with And the end has come for me. I hope I can join that group in the clouds And carve on through Eternity. Category two for “BEST CARVERS RHYME” Goes to” HARRY BLACKSMITH” from LONDON, ENGLAND. Harry Blacksmith has won 100 dollars cash , donated by “Joe Dillet” from the “ask joe column” in carving magazine, And a handmade “finnish carving puukko knife” donated by “haroun from finland“, made by the “tribal Saami people “of finnish Lapland. And a one year subscription to “carving magazine” donated by “carving magazine”. A LIFE UNTOLD, A CARVERS DREAM Hoping to release a spirit left inside, One man is carving, his heart, his soul, his pride. Once a piece of wood, found from a tree, He’d make to be, a work of art, a piece of history. A life untold, a life that should, Words of wisdom, from that spirit in the wood. A twist, a turn, a polished shine, Carved perfection, a storytellers find. Each piece a masters love, a creators view, The image of a carving, the carver that’s in you. Hidden to all eyes, a carvers dream, Wood having come to life, reality it would seem. Yet, there it is for all, to bring out from inside, One man’s carving, his heart, his soul, his pride. by Harry Blacksmith Category tree for “FUNNIEST CARVERS POEM” Goes to”CATHY CLARK” from FANNY BAY, CANADA. Cathy Clark has won a “75 dollar gift certificate “ to “the woodcraft shop”, And carved flowers carved and donated by “Cathy Krumrei”, And a one year subscription to “carving magazine” donated by “carving magazine”. Just One Thing More To Dust In his shop he did immure Himself to carve a caricature. "Just one knife I'll need", he thought But now three dozen more he's bought. At every carving show he'll find Another book to stir the mind. Fishers, cowboys, bears, a gnome Now fill every shelf at home. Though this, in fact, may be my fault As each carving makes me halt And, chuckling in delight, I say "Oh, this one you can't give away." So as around my home I go These figures make me smile so. Until it's time for me to dust For then I'm very,very fussed. For even though I do lose heart To have to wipe each little part, So many hours , such loving care, Went into every strand of hair, So fragile is each leg and arm That I'm afraid to do them harm. Thus each creation has it's place Where I can see it's funny face. Still Mikey sits and whittles more And soon they'll cover all the floor. But wait! This story doesn't end For now my mind and hands intend To try this hobby for myself - Perhaps I'll try to carve an elf. So, as we sit , the two of us And carve away from dawn to dusk, I have to think that now there's just Another cutesy guy to dust. By Cathy Clark Category four for “BEST TRY” at “WOODCARVERSPOETRY” Goes to”BILL LONGHURST” from”AUSTRALIA”. Bill Longhurst has won a “ 50 dollar gift certificate to “the woodcraft shop”, And a “ fan carved bird” carved donated by “ Sally Nye”, And a one year subscription to “carving magazine” donated by “carving magazine”. THE CHRISTMAS STAR They watched the old man carving as he sat out on his porch. The shaving seemed so effortless though he seemed so deep in thought. “What will it be” a small girl asked “A whistle or some children’s toy?” “I think maybe a model train!” exclaimed a somewhat louder boy. “Please tell us Sir,” one lady asked, “what will the finished carving be? Is it a part of some grand piece, to be displayed for all to see?” Then looking up the carver turned and facing the admiring eyes, ‘twas time to speak and clarify - his comment bore a huge surprise And gently rolling down his cheek, he couldn’t hide the falling tear. “It’s just a simple Christmas star to decorate my tree next year.” “I lost my darling wife, you see. She was my favourite help and friend. Her comments always helped me to improve my carving to the end.” “This simple star reminds me of her and when I place it on the tree I’ll think of all the times we had - a flood of golden memories. “ William J. Longhurst Thank you to everyone that has participated in this woodcarvers competition, you have all made it one of the greatest experiences of my life. Haroun from finland







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