Can we change the subject?

It was verse versus verse, round 2 – but no knockout blow

For our second poetry competition, titled “Changing the Subject”, I asked entrants to take an existing poem by someone else, change what it was fundamentally about, then write a new poem whilst keeping some elements of the original (i.e. the basic form and a few phrases).

I must now confess; there were only eight entries, and there weren’t three among them that I could honestly put my name to with pride. I suppose poetry is such a deeply personal thing that it’s tough to step into someone else’s stylistic shoes; I took a big gamble asking so much of you (and just opening it to paid subscribers). So – I have passed out judgment for that contest privately, given away a couple of books, and would like to say no more about it. (In fact, I would quite like to change the subject; no, the irony is not lost on me!)

But before we move on, let’s have a bit of fun: I am now challenging all subscribers to write a four-line poem (with no more than twelve words per line), under the same title. Please send your entries via email, clearly marked “Changing the Subject”, to hello@valleypressuk.com by 11am BST on Monday 17th June – so yes, it’s another “over the weekend” one, quick and clean.

As this contest is free to enter, there will be no prizes this time – but I will share a selection of favourite entries in my next post, so please note that by sending in your four lines you are giving me non-exclusive permission to do so. Please also include the name or pen name you’d like to be credited by.

I suppose that’s it then, for today – best of luck!