Apostle Vanrick Beresford, centre, with the some of the finalists, at the finals.

Maranatha Ministries International’s Dynamic Poetry Awards Ceremony stayed true to its name, Dynamic Poetry, as the finalists were given a chance to take on the role of dramatists in exhibiting the passion in their written words last Wednesday.

The Dynamic Poetry Awards Ceremony was hosted for a second time by Maranatha Ministries International since CARIFESTA X in 2008.

The organizers of the initiative invited writers between the ages of 13 to 30 to recite their original poems.

The first and second rounds were held at the National Library’s Conference Room last Friday and there 14 young poets each recited one of their poems.

Ten of those 14 proceeded to the second round, where they recited another of their original pieces, and from these seven were selected for the finals, which were held last evening at Maranatha Ministries International, 252 Quamina Street, Georgetown.

First place winner, Mr. Rondell Douglas during his performance of ‘My Love’.

These performances were judged by Ms. Lydia Beresford, Mrs. Michelle Brummell and Mr. Royston Duncan.

The four key areas of assessment were: message of the poem, rhythm, climax and dynamics.

Apostle Vanrick Beresford, Chief Judge and Coordinator of the event, explained that the message must be strong so that it “Grips the minds and hearts of an audience.”

He added, too, that the rhythm must portray the momentum of a poet’s delivery, which would be complemented by the climax that displays the passion in poetic expression.

However, Beresford asserted that the dynamics is most important as it delves deeper and gives the audience an insight into the poet’s persona.

The message, rhythm, climax and dynamics in a presentation is the articulation of an individual’s poetry,” he said.

From left, third, second and first place winners Mr. Andrew Liverpool, Ms. Rodlyn Semple and Mr. Rondell Douglas.

Among the titles that were recited by the seven finalists were ‘King of Kings’, ‘Guyana’ , ‘Vanity’, ‘The Only Real Thing’, ‘Ramifications of a young and immature couple’, ‘The January Floods’, and ‘My Love’.

Mr. Rondell Douglas with his poem ‘My Love’ was adjudged the first place winner, with Ms. Rodlyn Semple with her “The January Floods’ and Mr. Andrew Liverpool with ‘Ramifications of a young and immature couple” came second and third respectively.

The first, second and third place winners were awarded $50,000, $30,000 and $15,000 respectively. The remaining four finalists were presented with book awards.

The sponsors of the event were Mr. Glen Khan of Laparkan Group of Companies; Mr. Ulric Ceres of Amerijet Air Cargo; Mr. Willet Hamilton, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce; and Nigel’s Supermarket.