Top 3 Poems (60 lines max)

Congratulations to the winners. All comments are from our judge, Richard Skinner.

‘These 10 shortlisted poems were incredibly varied, which made placing them very hard. A poem about travelling in Peru or the Holocaust? A tightly-lined poem or a spread of long lines? The standard was pleasingly high throughout and it was a pleasure to read them. Many congratulations to all the shortlistees – you all did amazingly well to get on this very short shortlist.’

3rd Place: “Waiting for You with a Clementine in Montmartre” by Carlotta Riechmann (UK)

‘“Waiting for You with a Clementine in Montmartre” is a delicious waltz-like poem with (obviously) a foody theme, but it is subtler than that – the clementine acts as a locus around which the poet talks about hope, loss, self-realisation and, yes, love. A gorgeous dance of words.’

2nd Place: “On building a house” by Jenny Pollak (AUSTRALIA)

‘“On building a house” is an ambitious poem and I love to see ambition in poetry. It time-hops from war torn Europe to the sunny seas and skies of Australia now. A heron stalks us throughout and the Holocaust is the fault line that it runs along. Understated, powerful.’

1st Place: “Eating Seafood in Margate” by Diana Cant (UK)

‘“Eating Seafood in Margate” is a wonderfully-crafted poem. Seemingly about days and time passing, it hints at deeper worries and troubles. Populated with creatures – birdsong, hunting dogs, oysters and hens – it’s about living through the senses, being alive and in tune with oneself in the face of the horrors of the world. A marvel.’

Why not enter our NEW Poetry (40 lines max) judged by Pascale Petit. Top prize: £1,000. Deadline: 31st May, 2023.