We had some very interesting poems submitted in response to this lovely action shot by Alex Rotas. Some took a literal angle, others more oblique. Thank you to Alex and to all the poets who responded and indeed to everyone who voted this week.
The voting was extremely close with Poem 2, Veteran Pole Vaulter by Diane Jackman coming in as the winner by just one vote! Andy Scotson’s poem Compete joint second with Mary Maher’s Oh Vaaaaanda . This is the second time Andy’s poem has taken second place so do keep trying Andy, you are getting close. Well done to both Andy and Mary and congratulations, Diane.
All of the poems previously published in Week 3 will have names added shortly so you can go back and read them again. I will also be revealing more about all of our photographers in due course and will be able to tell you more about the veteran pole vaulter too.
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For now though here is the winning poem by Diane Jackman and the photograph by Alex Rotas that provided this week’s inspiration:
Veteran pole vaulter
They tell me
I should
know better
at my age
they didn’t
see me in ’68
at my peak
the height
of my powers
in the thin air
of Ciudad
de Mexico.
I flew
over the bar
twice
like this
like this
falling
like students
in the Plaza
de las Tres
Culturas
falling
now.
Diane Jackman
