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National Poetry Anthology Winner - 2003

Christine Masson

The 2003 UK Poetry Champion was Kent poet Christine Masson.

Her poem, Thinking Of You, was voted best of 236 prizewinning poems. "I've been writing poetry for 15 years and had some small successes, but nothing like this," said Christine, a retired legal secretary who lives in Otford, near Sevenoaks.

Christine added: "I'm delighted at my success in the competition and surprised that so many prizewinning poets voted for me. I feel very honoured."

You can read Christine’s winning poem below.

 

THINKING OF YOU

When night's black curtain starts to fall and darkness wraps around me,
When mist is rising at river's edge and fears and doubts confound me,
I will not think of you then;
I do not think of you.

When winter's rage hurls up a storm with winds that will not rest,
And rains that never seem to cease, my sanity will test,
I will not think of you then;
I do not think of you.

When voices rant and rail at me and tear the peace asunder,
Until my senses tremble and die and I feel I shall go under,
I will not think of you then;
I do not think of you.

But when a glancing beam of sun is captured in a glass of wine,
When music on a summer's eve reminds me then of love once mine;
I will think of you then;
I do think of you.

Christine Masson, Sevenoaks, Kent