Praise for Uppinghamian poet

We are delighted to report that Lower Sixth pupil, Arabella Green, has been commended in the Foyle Young Poets of the Year competition.

Arabella is one of 100 students from over 6,000 entries to have her work chosen by the judges. This is a great achievement – with the support of the Poetry Society, many of the Foyle Young Poets go on to become published poets.

The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award is for poets aged 11-17. Since it began 22 years ago the Award has kick-started the career of some of today’s most exciting new voices. It is the largest competition of its kind and is free to enter. Each year 100 winners (85 Commendations and 15 Overall Winners) are selected by a team of high profile judges. The top 15 and 85 commended poets receive a range of book prizes, membership to The Poetry Society and continuing support from The Poetry Society.

Enjoy reading Arabella's winning poem, below. As Dr Methven says "savour the imagery and celebrate the beauty of the words."

The Steep and Thorny Way

Peel off my dress
like a fruit or skein of hangnail
and drop it to the earth.
It has a golden sort of chill, that evening
softly, fingers poking,
dimpling my flesh.
I think
hairs raise.
Angels press the sky onto a mirror
it has every star and sphere
every finger run along grooves in vinyl
every blue
every smooth-worn sea-stone.
I slip down to the edge
grass between toes,
flowers in fingers
flowers in hair.
And I let the flood
take
what’s left.
Water fills my lungs.