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The Top 5 Poems of
the Month
October
2005
Our winning poet for October is
Linda Howitt.
Read Linda's biography and more of her poems 
Diet
I
wonder, as the years roll by
and add an inch to hip and thigh,
Why is it that each meal anew
brings calories that stick like
glue
in great abundance to my waist
that, greatly multiplied by taste,
will sit there bating me with ease
as into bigger clothes I squeeze,
and taunt me with my rolls of flab
that wobble as I reach to grab
the next amazing recipe
to spell the end of tubby me
that ultimately ends in tears,
my girth expanding year by year.
And so it seems it is my fate
that poundage just won’t
dissipate
the way it did when I was young
with stomach firm, not overhung,
and body parts discerned with ease
as boobs, waist, ankles, wrists
and knees.
Oh what I wouldn’t give right
now
to look less like a calving cow.
My ideal weight is still no
nearer,
meanwhile the gym calls ever
clearer.
Yet I still resist all exercise
and munch my way through cakes and
pies.
And as I wish with all my might
that my clothes weren’t quite so
tight,
I know with diets so abundant
Chocolate must become redundant.
Linda
Howitt
Top
Here
are the other four poems chosen by
our imprint editors as winning poems
for October. All other poems submitted
for the Top 5 Poems of the Month for
October are being considered for
various anthologies.
The
World Today
In
this world of trouble and sadness,
Where
nothing is happening to stop all
this madness,
With loss amongst families,
there’s too many crying,
With wars and disasters where
people are dying.
There’s bombs going off all over
the place,
These terrorist people are killing
our race,
Its sickening and evil they
couldn’t care less,
But what can be done to stop all
this mess?
When nature attacks in a dangerous
way,
With floods, quakes and drought
that happen each day,
It’s sad for the families, who
lose everything,
But man didn’t cause this, we
know we can't win.
So many people are starving and
ill,
No food to be had, no miracle
pill,
No water or homes the people will
die,
They haven’t a hope they don’t
even cry.
I will now be grateful for what I
receive,
When looking around I’ve nothing
to grieve,
My children are happy, alive, fit
and well,
There’s food on the table my
life isn’t hell.
I’ll think of this sadness,
In this world filled with fright,
And hope that one-day,
That this world will unite.
Samantha Walsh
Top
Grunellia
Shrew
Grunellia
Shrew was a pain in the bum,
Everyone thought so, even her mum.
She shouted and screamed and was
not above biting,
-was always in trouble for
spitting and fighting!
Sometimes,
when the bullying approach
wouldn't do,
She was able to play the sweet
innocent too,
She forced out the tears 'til her
face was bright red,
In the hope that her mum wouldn't
send her to bed
Grunellia
thought she was too cool for
school,
She hated her teachers and broke
all the rules
Her mum ahd consulted the good and
the great,
In efforts to make her foul
daughter go straight
But all of the experts left
feeling perplexed
Each one becoming more vexed than
the next
Until, one
day, in the middle of a fit,
Whilst gathering her phlegm for an
ungodly spit,
Grunellia felt both her arms going
numb,
Then both of her legs, her fingers
and thumbs,
Her neck, then her head, her feet
then her belly,
Grunellia had become a large
raspberry jelly
Her
mother, on seeing her daughter's
strange state,
Immediately
ran for a large enough plate.
The
doctors who came were unable to
treat her,
Though
several suggested they might like
to eat her
Foe
Grunellia, this change of image
was no fun,
She had to
stay in 'cause she'd melt in the
sun,
She
constantly wobbled, which made her
feel sick,
She could
wibble for hours if she moved a
bit quick.
So for her
own good, she was put in a bowl,
A lid
sealed her in to protect her from
mould,
Her mum
made a space for her on the top
shelf,
Where
Grunellia sits, every day, by
herself.
So
remember, be nice, try not to be
rude,
Else you
might just end up like Grunellia
Shrew.
Jennifer
Ewing
Top
A
Liberated Lady
As
I strolled along the Mardyke
One hazy summer morn
A young one slight and oh so fair
Danced lightly like a fawn
Her hair auburn and curly
Brushed against her chin
Her vibrant dress and summer vest
Enhanced her pale white skin
A beauty, oh so gorgeous
About nineteen years of age
Going about her business
As young ones do these days
I tried to start a conversation
With this lovely miss
But she warded off my idle chatter
With words that went like this,
' Listen boy, today's a joy
The sunshine's on The Lee
Its really awful early
To try-a-courtin me
I'm from the middle parish
Where men are fine strong men
I have my pick of suitors
Above there in The Glen '!
That lovely voice
A Corkmans choice
If he could so select
Sang out across the lush green
grass
From an angel so perfect
She spoke on and on as if in song
I stood there in a trance
I knew I'd never woo her
A kiss, maybe a dance?
' Tell me boy, what's yer ploy
Is it steppin out with me?
I've no time to be a wastin
On the likes of ye
Today's the day, no work but play
For taking in the sights
I'm not due to be in Farrenree
Till later on tonight '!
Her voice was like a tonic
At least it was to me
I said ' Lets stay platonic ' ?
She eagerly agreed
So every Sunday beside The Lee
As the mist does slowly lift
A Northside girl with auburn curls
Recites words to me like this,
' When suitors do come calling
Above there at the house
I act as if I'm boring
And as timid as a mouse
I'll not love a man who wagers
Or is too fond of a jar
If you want a slave to scrimp and
scrape
It's codding me you are!
The times they are-a-changing
So should those foolish boys above
Love is what we girls want
nowadays
Just pure and simple love '!
peace.
Kevin
Raymond
Top
The
Bride
I watched
as you walked down the aisle
A radiant young bride
My heart was overflowing
And I was full of pride
You were my only daughter
And I had watched you grow
Now the time had come for me
To see you bloom and go
My mind raced back to younger days
When you would say to me
‘Can I dress up in your clothes’?
An old curtain veil I’d see
You’d shuffle off in my big shoes
But thought you looked a treat
As with your friends you’d play weddings
and all walked down the street
Now as I see you standing
To take your wedding vow
I think how fast the years have gone
To where you’re standing now
I see you in your glory
You are my only one
But I shall not lose my daughter
For I will gain a son
I pray that you’ll both be happy
As you go on honeymoon
It won’t be long before you’re home
And I will see you soon
Irene
Pickering
Top
To
submit a poem to the online
competition email
inbox@forwardpress.co.uk
Please include Top 5 Poems in
the subject line of your email.
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