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National Poetry Anthology Winner - 2011

Carole Bone

FIRST EVER SCOTTISH WINNER OF NATIONAL POETRY PRIZE

Carole Bone of Glasgow is the first ever Scottish winner of the National Poetry Anthology - the biggest free to enter poetry competition in the UK.

As her prize she was presented with £1000 and a magnificent trophy at Glasgow Central Library (The Mitchell Library) on Wednesday February 16th.

“Carole was one of over 10,000 entrants for the competition and her winning poem Star Dancing reflects her fascination with nature and astrology,” said Peter Quinn of United Press which runs this huge national competition. “The competition is designed to encourage more people to get involved with poetry and Carole is a typical undiscovered poet. She has only been writing poetry for 6 years.”

“The National Poetry Anthology is the most democratic of all poetry competitions so it’s a delight for me to win it,” said Carole who is a receptionist at Milngavie Enterprise Centre.

Carole was referring to the democratic process in which the winner of this competition is selected. The organisers pick 250 regional winners from over 10,000 entrants. They then put the poems of these 250 regional winners in the annual book, The National Poetry Anthology. They give each winner a free copy and ask them to vote for their favourite poem in the book. This year they chose Carole’s.

“It’s an honour to be the first Scottish winner of this huge competition,” said Carole. “I feel I’m helping to put Scotland on the poetry map - where it belongs. This nation has a magnificent poetry heritage and I hope that my success goes on to encourage more budding poets to have a go.” Carole, who is married with 2 sons, plans to publish a book of her own poetry. “In poetry I can say things which I couldn’t say in normal words,” she explained. “I was encouraged to start writing by Ann Whitaker, a friend of mine who taught me all about astrology and poetry. I owe her a lot of credit for this success.” Carole came across the National Poetry Anthology when she saw the appeal for National Poetry Anthology entrants in the Milngavie Herald.

You can read Carole's winning poem below.

STAR DANCING

I contemplate a flawless sky
Fractured by winter branches
Reflectively I wonder why
The stars enact their dances

Inscrutably they twinkle down
As they wander timeless paths
Like jewels upon a velvet gown
The hands of Gods have cast

From their complex patterns shine
Ancient wisdom of the past
Rich knowledge of a different time
Holds secrets, deep and vast

Are answers there for us to see
Or are they deep inside
The answers that would set us free
Within where Gods reside

I contemplate an endless sky
For my questions I seek answers
In my dreams my soul can fly
And the stars and I are dancers

Carole Bone, Glasgow, Scotland