Winner
My Name is the Earth
by Emily Morrish (14), Devon
My name is the Earth.
I think back, to the playground of my youth, where
Snowdrops and bluebells push through the delicate, fragrant soil.
The sun peeps coyly over the purple horizon,
And the melodic dawn chorus strikes up.
I am in my prime and my minions, the Roses,
Gently unfurl their dusky pastel buds to display
Sumptuous velvet attire.
The mellifluous laughter of a crystal brook
Skips an octave as it trips over pebbles.
Then come the twilight days
When the air begins to bite with cold, sharp teeth.
Leaves turn first yellow, then red, then a crispy brown
And tiptoe softly to the ground
Where they whisper in the wind.
I am old now, and the world is asleep under a blanket
Of adamantine snow.
Deafening silence nestles in the crevices
Between branches on the apple tree, and collects in pockets
In valleys, just like mist.
Judges' comments
"I think Emily’s use of language is exceptional. In particular I like the description of the crystal brook as it “skips an octave as it trips over pebbles.” I could hear that, and I liked the cold sharp teeth of the cooling autumn air." Pam Ayres
Runner up
before they lose it all
by Stephi Stacey (13), Cumbria
She is sitting alone again
and tearing the petals from flowers.
My sister’s skin did not always burst
into black-and-blue bruises.
She did not always need
to hold my hand.
Her hair is falling out –
I grab a strand and pretend
that it is like catching a leaf.
If it doesn’t hit the floor
she’ll live forever.
My sister was never greyscale,
managed to laugh and smile
for our sakes (but not her own).
Beautiful, even on the last day,
like colours in autumn – all bright –
before they lose it all
Judges' comments
"I thought ‘Before they lose it all’ was really elegant. So moving, yet unsentimental. Incredibly accomplished for one so young." Sarah Langan
Prizes
The prizes for the children’s 10 and under and 11-14 categories were provided by Macmillan Children’s Books. To purchase these poetry books at 20 per cent discount, visit panmacmillan.com/MCBpoetry.
Additional prizes, including Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl, were supplied by Puffin Books. Find out more at puffin.co.uk.
Read more winning poems
Winners - adult category
Runners up - adult category
Winners - children 10 and under category
Winners - children 15-17 category
