The theme of National Poetry Day 2021 was choices, yet choosing a winner was a challenge as always. This year's poetry was carefully structured, with some killer final lines that left the reader needing to go back to the beginning for another read. Students did away with cliches and produced original poems on a range of topics from wardrobe dilemmas to kind cats, to homelessness and even some rather gruesome tales. It was a privilege to read such an array of poetry!
Congratulations to the Senior School winner, Cerys Jones who wove together two narratives up until the very final word of her poem. Cerys wins a poetry anthology.
Highly commended poets were:
Verity H, Xinrong Z, Pihu M, Delal D, Sunshine J, Shalleman K, Yabesra G, Odera C, Aashi L, Diya C, Florence C, Mia R, Lily D, Hannah M, Carys M, Abi M
The College Winner is Megan C, who mixed vivid, cinematic imagery with a nod to the sonnet. Megan wins a poetry anthology.
Choices
My woman walks down the stairs
Red lips and stained jeans
Fruit juice dripping, foaming
From the crevasses of her heart.
It wasn’t a choice made for self
Or on cracked ecstasy
Nor one made in the gloomy patch
That lies next to the hanging tree,
But one formed from a love
That will always rest
Alongside my heart for you.
Let that be written
In these ashes and dust
For as long as my heart is true.
The College highly commended poet was:
Issy L-J
The staff winner was Dr Baker for his superb poem! The last lines will give you goosebumps.
Choices
Time will tell you over the choices you make,
Is it wise to let others have their say?
If only you knew which path to take.
It can be awkward to tell truth from fake
There is no way to ever really know
Time will tell over the choices you make
The trick is to avoid an obvious mistake
Perhaps you stumble while others play,
If only you knew which path to take.
Is it better to eat, or have your cake?
The cards you hold you have to show
Time will tell over the choices you make.
When the moment comes for fate's curtain call,
Will you bow low or take a fall?
Time will tell you over the choices you make
If only you knew which path to take.
The Staff highly commended were:
Miss Jenkins
Miss Cockburn
Mrs Richards