Following on from the success of our Poetry Competition winners, we are delighted to detail the work of two highly commended entrants.
Many congratulations to Helen Smith for her poem ‘frameless’, and to Mark Bayliss for his poem “Reunited”; both gained honourable mentions from our poetry judge, Dr Jack MacGowan. Their poems and the judge’s comments are listed below.
frameless by Helen Smith
his photo
crouches on the mantlepiece
between orange-scented candles
and a carriage clock
no frame, curling edges
paled by the sun
I remember so little now
memories slipping
river-smooth silk between
shaking fingers
I barely recognise as my own
but I remember the day I birthed him
slick and screeching
sea-blue eyes
that turned, with the years
to shadow
I stagger
to unsteady feet
that carry me, by the tick of the clock
to grasp his face
smooth the dust
that covers long forgotten colours
and the salt sting on my cheek
is nothing but the fog
that rolls in
from the sea
and still it takes the legs
from under me
photo falls to the flame
as I taste the tide
that will surely come, with the moon
to steal his name
from my tongue
Commendation: frameless
“I was struck by frameless and would like to offer it a special commendation for the poignancy it elicits as well as the care that has clearly been taken in its composition. I have a weakness for poems that latch the door closed tight at the end, and this poem is a fine example of how to stick the landing (if the author will excuse such a mixed metaphor).”
Reunited by Mark Bayliss
Made whole, rejuvenated, is this place for real
Ethereal topography, sensory, surreal
Cold and darkness extinguished, sunshine and warmth prevailing
Hard to articulate, inner calm and peace entailing
Happiness and contentment, both partying with my soul
The time’s arrived, relief at last, nothing more to control
Optimism and hope, since discovering my destiny
My confidence undaunted, evident for all to see
I wondered if they’d take me when I knocked on heaven’s door
An open arms acceptance, and a green light to explore
Anticipation, trepidation, questions soon resolved
I’m feeling tranquil, intrigued, and undoubtedly absolved
Sadly, it’s been chaotic, there’s an endless human stream
Of course, no one’s ever ready, to go and ‘join the team’
We know it’s not discerning, and not all of us immune
Waiting, praying, most are hoping, it’s ‘maybe no time soon’
Hints of recognition, old friendly faces they appear
A familiar form emerges, elegantly drawing near
Young, happy, beautiful, unmistakably no other
Decades have passed, yes it’s her, hands reaching out, my mother
Commendation: Reunited
“I would like to offer a special commendation to Reunited for the author’s bravery in tackling rhyming couplets and by and large pulling them off with aplomb. I was also moved by the way plaintiveness slowly but surely becomes comfort across the length of the poem. There is always a timeliness to poems that explore the different and complex qualities of grief, and this poem is certainly no exception.”
THE HAY WRITERS 