For the last couple of months I’ve been submitting both poems and short stories to competitions and magasines. I find it difficult to ‘write’ (as in a creative way) and to submit my work (as in boring, administrative and frustrating) at the same time. It must be one of those left/right brain things. But it has to be done; and perseverance does eventually pay off.
At the end of 2015 I submitted ten of my poems to the Cinnamon Press’s debut poetry collection prize and although the prize ultimately went to another poet: Ian Marriot, this week I found out that I’d been shortlisted which was very exciting! One of my poems will be published in the forthcoming anthology. http://cinnamonpress.com
Secondly, I was very pleased to be included in The Emma Press’s Mildly Erotic Verse (published Jan 2016.) This small independent press produces beautiful poetry pamphlets and books illustrated by Emma Wright’s line drawings.http://theemmapress.com.
Here’s my poem Bluebells from the anthology:
Bluebells
are glowing under the birch trees.
The sign says Do not pick the flowers.
But I want their cold flesh
in my hands – to pick
and pick, until juice runs down
the inner sides of my wrists.
His long back, long feet
are covered in gold hair.
It’s the wolf of course.
What he wants from me is unspeakable
they said.
Bluebell sap has soaked my skirt.
His paws are soft. His mouth is hot –
his breath steams,
smells of bilberries, brambles.
They lied about the meat.
I’ll show you the way he says.
I don’t want to hurt you.
The cottage door is open –
a smell of earth, fallen leaves.
I take off my coat and go upstairs.
[from Mildly Erotic Verse, The Emma Press, 2016]
Ali Thurm 