Tools for Solidarity Poetry Competition 2017
I was absolutely thrilled to make it on to the Shortlist for this competition.
Just 5 of us Poet’s in the final shortlist, and what amazing company to keep indeed, an honour to see my poem alongside work by these fine poets.
A privilege indeed to see my poetry be put to such good use in the promotion of such a worthwhile cause.
What a lovely idea to celebrate the ‘birthday’ of this much-loved local spot. Like so many before, and after, I’ve spent many a joyful time there.
The children pointed.
“Crabs. Crabs!” we said,
gesturing
as they chanted
“Please, please!”
stretching out uncertain fingers,
juggling new treasure.
My poem ‘Hermit Crabs at Cliftonville, 1998’ was inspired by a walk by the pool, and a meeting there with a family from Kosovo. The children were especially delighted by the crabs that we could see in the shallows. These are images that have stayed in my mind, and it’s a poem I read often locally when I’m performing my poetry here in Thanet. Hopefully it’s as a way of showing some of the more recent ‘waves’ of migrants to our beautiful corner – and my way of saying that I am proud to welcome them, and to celebrate their place in Walpole Bay Tidal Pool’s 80 years-young history.
So, it’s Broadstairs Dickens Festival week here. (the 80th anniversary thereof!) The week every year when folk take to the streets and cliffs and beach of Broadstairs in ‘Dickensian’ apparel, celebrating Mr Dickens’ time in the town.
One cannot help but surmise what Charles might have made and said of the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, June 2017. I have no words for Grenfell Tower yet. But as people ‘Trotwood’ and ‘Bumble’ along Broadstairs’ prom today, I think of divisions – here, there, everywhere …
We are happy to announce that Issue 4 is now available to purchase. Featuring a lovely lineup of poems and prose pieces, plus artwork from Duncan Grant, we are very proud of this one, and delighted that we have been the first people to publish several of the poets here, alongside a number of well-known writers. We’re sure you’ll be reading more from these emerging writers soon!
We will be adding a few extras over the next couple of days – so pop back for live performances of some of the poems!
Submissions to Issue 5 are open now.
Sarah Tait - Poet 