COMMENTS FROM CONTEST JUDGE MARIE KANE:

This first place poem uses an effective style, purposeful line length, and well-crafted language to explore the expansiveness of the universe. The poem's series of nouns illustrated by original metaphors aptly define the universe.

The word "Silence" loops throughout the poem and gains import with each repetition. The title, "Far Out," most likely refers to its denotative meaning of 'great distance'; however, the informal or slang meaning of 'fantastic' or 'outlandish' could also apply.

I appreciate the craft of the poem's shape and word choice. The first eight lines demonstrate the writer's expertise:
Starlight
Reflecting on the mirror that is space.
Orbit
A chain
Designed to keep planets with their stars.
Stars
Clustering together to form a silent nursery.
Silence.

Examine these metaphors, and find an inventive and creative mind. "Starlight" reflects on the "mirror" of space, and one can imagine a planet's "orbit" as a "chain" that "keep[s] planets with their stars that cluster (great verb!) "to form a silent nursery" where "planets are dependent upon the sun." The metaphor of sun as mother and planets as children is lively and original. The repeated word, "Silence," deepens the resounding, yet mute, 'sound' of the universe.

By centering the poem and using short, and more often than not, one or two-word lines, the poet appropriately matches style to topic and tone. This poem concerns a vast and stunning universe; the tight form lends a regal air to the poem where a more lyrical style would not.

It is interesting that the universe is often represented with action verbs and color. The next series of lines continues with equally adept description. Millions of "Universes" are given their due when compared to "balls on a pool table," the beauty of the rings of Saturn is seen in "concentric rings / like jewelry / [that] adorn a gas giant," and "Solar flares / light up / the black sky." The word "Silence" follows - an effective pause in the action. The speaker continues to describe light emanating from the universe. "Earthshine," the "dusting of paint" that is the "Milky Way," and "Moonshadow / that creates a lunar eclipse" precede the next use of "Silence."

I appreciate the end of the poem that remarks, again, on the enormous universe and the action within:

Pulsar
A light house
In the sea that is space.
Asteroid belt
A conveyer belt
Of stones.
Silence.
Burst
A more poetic word
For big bang.
Black hole
Nothing.
And always
Silence.

The descriptions of "Pulsar" as a "light house" (sic), an "Asteroid belt" as a "conveyer (sic) belt, and "Burst" as "A more poetic word / for big bang" are wonderfully imaginative. Anchoring all is the repeated word "Silence" that has tremendous weight by the end of the poem.

The economic and intelligent language, the expert use of metaphor and repetition, the confident tone, and the skillful choice of style all combine to make this poem a first place winner indeed.

Thank you for the privilege of reading your work!

Marie Kane, Final Judge, Sarah Mook Poetry Contest
engmrk@aol.com