And finally......
The poems submitted for this competition were very high quality; Consuelo's family in the UK, and the judges, want to express their thanks to the many people who submitted work to this competition. We hope that poets will submit their work in subsequent years!
The poems (and poets) made reference to a wide range of issues, several of which were passions of Consuelo's too. Here, we’d like to emphasise some of these.
1. First, several poems (or poets) referenced neurodivergence. In particular, Sammi Ford, who was highly recommended for her poem “Yellow Stars” has written extensively about her experience as an ex-RAF officer, receiving a late diagnosis of autism and ADHD.
Suggested websites:
www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk
2. Second, one poem, “O Tierra Mia” was submitted by a children’s group in El Salvador, through the auspices of Music for Hope, based both there and in the UK. Its website explains how music helps, even in the aftermath of years of civil war: “Music for Hope is still a grassroots initiative that really responds to young people’s desire to be creative, to have a voice and to give back to their communities”.
Consuelo had always loved music, and supported similar initiatives (eg in Venezuela).
Website: www.musicforhope.org.uk/
3. Third, one poem was – apparently - written by a dog. Her amanuensis was a friend, who knew Consuelo through her support for animals, and specifically through the Soi Dog Foundation, based in Thailand. Consuelo and Lynda volunteered there for a short time in 2015 – inevitably falling in love with a dog (I Nam) while there, and subsequently adopting her. Consuelo’s support for SDF continued, and she published the memoir of one its founders, Gill Dalley ("Just Gill: The Story of Gill Dalley, co-founder of Soi Dog Foundation".
Website: www.soidog.org
4. Fourth – the theme for next year’s poetry competition is inspired by a song by Reem Kelani, “If I must die”, and based on a poem written by Refaat Alareer, who was assassinated in Israeli attacks in Gaza. It goes on: "You must live to tell my story"
The song can be found here on this website.....
but also on Reem’s own website – we ask you to buy the download to raise funds for Gaza relief.
Next year's theme will thus be: “You must live, to tell my story”.
Consuelo always supported the Palestinian cause, and would have been utterly horrified at the genocide now continuing. Reem Kelani dedicated the song to Gaza, and in particular to the work done by the United Nations’ Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA.
Websites:
