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National Poetry Anthology Winner - 2004

Eileen Hudson

The first major literary prize of 2004 went to a Rochdale woman.

Eileen Hudson (58) was the 2004 UK Poetry Champion - voted for by over 200 prizewinning poets. A £1000 cash prize and magnificent trophy come courtesy of the National Poetry Anthology - now the biggest free-to-enter annual poetry competition in the UK.

Over 250 winners are selected every year by the organisers - United Press. Their poems are printed in the annual National Poetry Anthology and each winning poet votes for the best poem in the book.

"It's a great thrill that so many prizewinning poets voted for me," said Eileen. "I've been writing poetry for several years and have had some small successes - but nothing like this."

Eileen, who is disabled from arthritis, recently sold the Rochdale based microlight business she ran with her late husband. "I still keep extremely active," said Eileen. "I spend a lot of my time watercolour painting, writing poetry and also love to visit my daughter in London. I also love gardening and reading."

Eileen of Bamford, is a former teacher at Rochdale College and Hollingworth High School in Milnrow.

You can read Eileen’s winning poems below:

 

INVISIBLE

Like a scene from a film, in fuzzy monochrome, he sits by the window, but no-one sees.

Grey hair, grey suit, stiff collar and tie, he's going out, but no-one knows, and he eats alone, crumbly bread, and a bit of tasty cheese.
A crumb sticks to his lip, but no-one sees.

He's going out, but there's no-one
to say goodbye to an old man,
frail as a dry twig, carrying
cake and a flask,
carefully wrapped like treasure.

In the hospital, a regular visitor,
no-one notices this bearer of cake,
and love, sitting quietly,
holding the hand of his wife
whose mind has floated away.

Invisible, unrecognised he shares his cake, and no-one notices him leave.

Eileen Hudson, Rochdale, Greater Manchester