If you ever thought poetry, heard in public, was written by distant authors with esoteric educations behind them, this is your own chance to break the mould.
A group of poetry lovers and writers in Eastbourne has launched an open competition for new poetry that's genuinely open to everyone who would like to write.
Members of "The Poetry Café" in the town already hold open mic sessions every second Tuesday of the month at The Dolphin Pub, South St., Eastbourne.
Here, they said:
"All are welcome to share their work, listen to the work of others or just drop in and see what we're about".
Now, the group is offering the chance for anyone who enjoys writing down a line or two, or more, to enter a new open poetry competition.
It's part of The Poetry Café's way of marking this year's National Poetry Day, which falls on October 5th, and the theme is "refuge".
Group members described the theme in broad terms:
"It could mean anything from a place of safety to the feeling of a hand being held; a piece of music to the act of weeding and hoeing a garden.
"Send us your thoughts, your longings, your hopes, dreams and dreads; all that links to the broadest or most literal interpretation of the theme."
The prizes are fame but not fortune: the voluntary group promises the three winners in the two categories (over 18 and under 18) signed winners' certificates, and will be invited to read their work at The Poetry Café's own National Poetry Day celebration in November.
Historians of poetry might point to fame being the most valuable asset a novice poet can gain: for Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–89) barely published anything in his own lifetime, and Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) saw only ten of her 1,800 pieces in print.
Poems should not be longer than 40 lines or 350 words; please place each poem on a new page, and no page should identify the author.
When entering, state your age category, contact details, and whether you consent to having your poem published on the website of the Poetry Café.
Closing date is August 31.
You can read more information here; or follow The Poetry Café, Eastbourne on X (formerly Twitter) at @PoetryCafeEB, or look up "poetrycafeugt" on Facebook.
Email entries to poetrycafeugt@aol.com
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