Poetry competition 2023:Results

 'I hold the fragile sphere" by JLM Morton. 

"This poem speaks in tender rhythm of the interconnectedness of nature. It reminds us how privileged each of us are to exist on earth, ‘a miniscule speck on the sphere at the end of the day at the end of the world’, and the existential threat of climate change. There is so much to hold dear in these words." - Jason Conway, Head Judge

I hold the fragile sphere

of earth

and sit up on the long barrow

to see myself a miniscule speck

on the sphere at the end of the day

at the end of the world and tell

myself there could be more time

and the waters of the Severn promise

me they’ve always been to sea

and the neolithic souls promise

they’ve forever crossed between worlds

and that evening the larks crowd in

with the brome grass and molluscs,

the bee orchids and oolite undoing all

the binaries and bringing the outside

inside out and for a few hours

I feel completely held by the intimacy

of our strangeness multiplying

in tender bonds on this tiny sphere

of earth.

JLM Morton

after Joe Carrick-Varty

Crickley Hill,October by Judith Green.

"This poem is full of life and imagery, set in contrast to ‘the quite pulse of things’. How life goes on through a season of loss. The last line, ‘...and it heals’, for me, speaks of how nature can serve as therapy, and how these words capture the purpose of a Nature Recovery Zone. Where the land and its biodiversity have the space to heal.." - Jason Conway, Head Judge

Crickley Hill, October

It’s all still here, the quiet pulse of things 

beneath the tunnels of trees,

in the kestrel’s quivering dot above the stubble,

and the straggling swallows, 

it still pulses through the greenness 

revived by recent rains

and in the fringes of October turning leaves,

still in the lore that cows lie down to save a dry patch,

the holly bearing berries early,

in hedgerow-tangled seed heads and twining bryony

knitted by a flight of tumbling sparrows.

And on the Hill 

I walk the woods and see you pass from tree to tree 

a finger’s length away, 

still with me here where we once walked together

… and it heals. 

Judith Green

 Barn Owl by Corinna Board

"This poem, full of atmosphere, is rich in musicality and steeped in barn own symbolism. A majestic creature of the night, in search of prey while humans dream. This is as much a joy to read as it is to speak." - Jason Conway, Head Judge

Barn Owl

We met on the route to Monday.

You – colour of dusk, mapping out

the boundary between road and hedgerow.

Wings like an ache, pale heart face,

feathers of autumn bracken.

Like prey, I was held in your talons,

but it was late – I was rushing for my train.

I left you at the turning,

half-expecting you to follow.

That night you flew into my mind –

quiet as shadow, eyes full of knowing,

fading at the crossroads

between dream and deep sleep.

Corinna Board

Gone by Martha Vickerman

"This poem succinctly places you in a domestic setting then expands its viewpoint rapidly to have the reader look into the implications of our day to day lives on the planet. The final line in breaking the scansion, really hits hard and gets the message across " - Rhys Howell, GWT Judge

Gone

The heater is on.

We’re all nice and cozy,

Sat in the car,

Cheeks a little rosy.

Our planet goes through this every day,

We never stop to think of the way,

We destroy our home as we know it today.

We live in a city, a town, or a street,

We breath in pollution wherever we meet,

Don’t notice the way we defeat,

The world not everyone will meet.

The countryside is different,

You’re in for a treat,

Less poison from the busy street;

But still, we do not retreat.

We do not stop,

We never cease,

Adding to this growing beast.                                               

Fast fashion,

Diesel power,

Landfill growing by the hour.

If we don’t start to care,

The Earth we live on will soon be bare,

In despair,

Never there...

Gone.

Weather Wonders by Walter Ebam Jr

"Walter has written a playful poem about a serious subject. I love the imagery conjured up by Kerplop."- Rhys Howell, GWT judge.

Weather Wonders

From sunny weather to shadowy skies
There always is a big surprise
Wet weather be annoying
But you have to keep on going
Thunders big or small
All can pop a ball
Sunny weather
No better
All are hot
Just like pot
By our hands came this mess
The truth we must confess
Climate change needs to stop
So icebergs don't kerplop.