The Winner of Synkroniciti’s “Vulnerable” Poetry Contest is Martha Sherick Shen with “Hollywood Juniper”

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Synkroniciti received a large amount of poetry for our “Vulnerable” theme and much of it was stunning. Ten finalists were selected:

1. view from here, Krista Carson
2. Cat People, Robert L. Dean, Jr
3. Broken Things, Philip Andrew Lisi
4. The Anatomy of Loss, Pamela R. Anderson
5. Unlike Most Storms It Isn’t One Till It’s Over, Jonathan Yungkans
6. A Brief History of Druzhyna, Kiyoshi Hirawa
7. Fourteen Ways to Prevent Birds from Flying into Your Windows, Suzanna C. de Baca
8. Indecent Exposure, Jenifer DeBellis
9. On the Ways My Son Was Vulnerable From a Silent Genetic Disorder, Nancy Dafoe
10. Hollywood Juniper, Martha Sherick Shen.

Any of these poems would have been a great fit and a worthy selection. Two were singled out: “A Brief History of Druzhyna” and” Hollywood Juniper.” The first about an old Ukrainian soldier honoring his dead wife, the second an affirmation of a life redeemed from the labels of “slow learner” and “dyslexic.” It was an impossible choice, but “Hollywood Juniper” won because it functioned on so many levels: metaphorically, visually, and rhythmically. Not only is it moving, relatable, and well-written, it is painstakingly and artfully crafted.

In “Hollywood Juniper,” Martha compares herself to a Hollywood Juniper, Juniperus chinense torulosa, a twisted, artistic looking variety of tree often grown in Los Angeles. It belongs to the larger species of Chinese Junipers, which are very popular Bonsai specimens, grown and shaped by expert growers into tiny trees. She speaks of her difficulty growing up with dyslexia. She grew up in a family of intelligent, educated people and teachers didn’t know what to do with her, labelling her slow and putting her on a track which set her up for low expectations. She was a girl, so society didn’t much care as long as she could keep house. Martha did not read until she was thirteen, not because of any lack of intelligence, as one can see from the degree in Zoology from Iowa State University which she earned with honors in 2003, but because her mind had difficulty seeing and interpreting letters and written words. The improper pruning and lack of attention she received as a child translated into shame. She has written poetry for years, never publishing any of it because she lacked confidence and self-esteem. Her husband, Sheldon Shen, who passed in 2019, and her friend Tina Harrach Denetclaw  have been instrumental in getting Martha to a place where she believed in her artistic talent and strength. This poem is a triumph in overcoming the vulnerability of shame with the vulnerability of openness and authenticity.

The poem has a strong visual element, the first page being shaped like a Hollywood Juniper, with short bursts of words that sweep like branches and foliage. It’s also incredibly rhythmic, lots of triple, dactylic feet which twist into other forms, a few sprung rhythms here and there. It begs to be read–it even begs to be set to music. I’ll share excerpts in Martha’s Artist Feature in July, but you’ll have  to wait for them.

Or, you can read the whole piece tomorrow. The poem is available in Synkroniciti’s “Vulnerable” issue, available for pre-order here: https://synkroniciti.com/the-magazine/purchase-individual-issues/. 

Martha Sherick Shen is native to Iowa. Born into an academic family, she was labeled a slow learner years before dyslexia was understood. She did not read until she was 13 years old. Suddenly, reading became her world of wonder and writing became her expression. It was a private blossoming, however, since it did not change the way people saw her. After raising her daughters and divorcing, she earned a degree in Zoology from Iowa State University within a specialized program for Neuroscience and Physiological Psychology. She graduated with honors in 2003. During these years, Martha also met, befriended, and later married the man who would bring her a fairytale life, Sheldon Shen. She has written poetry privately throughout her life. Martha’s first published poem resides with Flying Island Literary Journal; her second is forthcoming in the Silver Birch Press “ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER” Series. Martha currently lives in Des Moines, Iowa with her daughter Abra’s family and her French Bulldog, Judah.

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