A few weeks ago, for the first time ever, I submitted something to a poetry competition - the inaugural Royal Berkshire Poetry competition, supported by Beat Magazine The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Library Services, and the Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture.
I couldn't get to the awards event last night, which was a real shame, and I didn't win first prize, but I'm as pleased as punch that my poem was awarded second place.
For those of you on Facebook who would like to read the winning, third placed and commended entries - there is a page dedicated to the competition here - http://www.facebook.com/TheRoyalBerkshirePoetryCompetition
For any of you who want to read my entry (I know I've shared it with some of you already) here it is -
These Boots Are Made For Walking
You force yourself inside me
dead weight upon my sole.
Leather stretched by bones and flesh,
sharp nails against my toes.
Your fingers grasp my laces,
tie them, tight, across my tongue.
Double bows to hold me in,
trapped, yet soon undone.
My skin is cracked, unpolished,
worn out by rain and sleet,
broken down by years, and miles,
of service at your feet.
But as we move together
with your light-stepped rhythmic pace
I feel your warmth spread through me
I am moulded by your grace.
18 comments:
Congratulations on winning second place! I love the idea behind the poem; and I particularly enjoyed the first and third stanza.
I went the whole hog this year and entered the National Poetry Competition; which, thankfully, is so enormous that if I don't win anything I can be safe in the knowledge that those that do win tend to be published poets and therefore tend to be wonderful.
How long have you been writing poetry?
Fantastic. I am truly impressed. Well done.
Congratulations Sharon, the prize is well deserved. An ode to ones boots is an unusual idea.
I kind of remember this from awhile back but you've fine tuned it I think. Very good. And, congratulations on the competition, too. Limericks were about as good as poetry ever got for me, I'm afraid. Although we always had great fun with them. ;~)
Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations Sharon..fresh idea and simple words, definitely makes for a pleasant read...
Well done to you. I find poetry really hard to write though I do occasionally dabble. I think you have a real talent and a very well deserved prize.
Well done that girl!
Now give those poor little suckers a treat and slurp some polish on them:)
I love it Sharon, it's witty and thought provoking. Reminded me of Pablo Neruda's " Ode to My Socks". Congratulations!
You must be pleased as punch - what a fantastic achievement. I loved your poem and I'm really pleased it did well. I love the structure of it, too, so rare nowadays to see poems with a proper structure and care taken over the words rather than a splodge of rambling prose dressed up as something it's not. Brilliant stuff.
Congratulations and well done!
Really enjoyed your poem.
Like the new look of your blog BTW.
I liked the way that the underlying metaphor lifts enough to draw you into contemplating the other side of the poem, something less comfortable.
Or was that just me?
wonderfully worded.
many congratulations. I hope to read more.
you are a poet, so lovely. I went a little red reading it but it is really clever!
Rachel, Philip, Friko, Liz, Caterpillar, Happy Frog, Pat, Sheila, MLS, Jane, Mr IG, Justjulia, and Shopgirl
- my thanks to each of you for your kind words and positive support - perfect reminders of everything that makes blogging so worthwhile.
Rachel - Good luck with the National competition - I hope to be sending you bloggerly congratulations in due course.
Congrats on your achievement. I always shied away from poetry at school and would never dream of it now, so impressed by anyone who does it, and does it well.
Congratulations! I am always impressed with people who speak so clearly with such an economy of words.
Pearl
I really love this poem. Congrats. I am new to your blog and I love it. Will be dropping by regularly.
Jackie
I think your poem is so adorable it inspired me to write one tonight, it is named Chick Lit. Please take a look if you have a chance. Thanks.
Jackie
http://josieandpeter.blogspot.com/
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