Katherine Horan, whose poem,The Accidental Plagiarist, was included in the Westwood Public Library 2005 Poetry Anthology, has been selected as a winner in VOYA's Teen Poetry Contest 2005. The Westwood Library sponsored Katherine's entry in the contest. VOYA, Voice of Youth Advocates, devotes its April issue to poetry, and runs an annual contest. As one of five national winners, Katherine's poem will be included in this year's April issue. She will also receive a cash prize. Congratulations, Katherine!
THE ACCIDENTAL PLAGIARIST
The accidental plagiarist
Should not be utterly dismissed
For his transgression, as it is
Time's Fault for any cheat, not his.
He has a thought, but it's been claimed;
All joys and all emotions named.
The lovers' vows have all been sworn;
It makes a poet quite forlorn.
He can't be blamed for redone rhymes,
Not e'en those writ a thousand times,
For knowledge contains such a store
It seems we're always storing more.
And if a poet seeks to write
A rhyme already brought to light,
The poem will be left, decayed,
When critics cry that it's cliched.
The great ideas died with the greats
And rules were set on granite plates
To make all new works formulaic,
Melodramatic, or prosaic.
A true original idea
Has become wanting on our Gaea.
So ends my little tale of woe,
I'm sure you've heard it elsewhere, though.
Katherine Horan
