Karen Moore – “Our Reflections in Flames”
“This genre-bending essay on loss, grief, sorrow, and the aftermath of an intense trauma is truly a masterpiece. From a craft perspective, it’s exciting in the way it uses a divided narrative to build upon its own until the image is clear. The ever-extending metaphor running throughout the piece is wonderfully executed. The use of the page’s white itself as a narrative tool, reminiscent of the work of poets, is exciting, especially when it related to the context on the page. This turns the piece not only into a reflection by its narrative, but also by its form.
To top it all off, the piece is so personal, yet the writing is so universal. The author’s reflection in this essay is truly a mirror for the reader to see themselves as well. I am in awe of this piece. A wonder in the artform.”
(Comments by 2025 judge, Danny Ramadan)
Read the winning essay in The Fiddlehead – published July 15th!