2nd Place: Sian Heath: ‘My Husband’

My Husband 

He whispers in my ear 

Suggestions so sweet and sour 

Runs his hands over my hair, 

down over my back. 

He kisses the shiver away, 

Tells me truths about myself 

as his fingers delve deeper. 

I surrender with a sigh, 

Awake with a jolt. 

Sitting next to me in bed, glued to his ‘phone – my husband. 

I sigh – again, 

He doesn’t notice. 

Or maybe he just doesn’t respond. 

3rd Place: Jorinde Croese ‘Lash’

she pulled out every one of her lashes 

made her wishes as she exhaled 

she loves me she loves me not 

in the fields they flew their ways 

across mountain tops vast empty lakes 

and brushed the cheeks of lovers 

appearing to be another fallen lash 

and she wishes for their love to last 

he, for a car 

in the wind 

we will be in the wind 

we will be 

the lash it flew across deserts 

atop rainy wet horses 

nestling upon snow 

encapsulated by the soil and seed 

so that one day her grief would grow 

into the nectar that has been sucked 

by the insects that flew across 

high dark skies to you 

you laid on your bed a fly got through 

the window 

landed on your cheek 

kissed it 

your hand did not strike 

knowing it had been touched by love 

as the lashes freeze 

and bodies decompose 

in the wind 

we will be in the wind 

we will be 

Honourary Mention: Dan Brady: ‘Swimming’

The whispering sea calls out to me

come shelter in my sanctuary,

tonight I’ll swim beneath dark skies

when I grow tired death is my prize,

I feel the lights behind me fade

but I won’t stop my midnight raid,

I’ll reach my goal and free my soul

when my body’s dead and it’s gone cold,

my arms are heavy, and they pull me down

I’m out too far and I can’t turn ’round,

I see your face I can smell your hair

be patient girl I’m almost there,

tonight the moon will see us rise

as we enter black paradise,

we’ll swim into the peaceful night

beneath dark skies, our moon shines bright.