Competition

Highly Commended

Colour
by Monika Holmwood

On my first day of school I am bombarded with questions.
Questions as purple as bruised clouds
As yellow as a slippery dip
As dark as the world I see
As bright as the sun on my skin.

They ask me if I feel different.
I feel as different as black and white
As similar as aqua and blue
As alive as gold and glitter.
And as dull as grey and brown.

They ask me what my favourite colour is.
I say red.
Red feels velvety like my mummy’s dress.
Red smells like a spring rose.
Red tastes like a jaffa lolly.
Red sounds like a racing car.

They ask me if I know what colour is.
Green feels like a soft spring leaf.
Grey smells like newly laid bitumen.
Brown is the taste of a chocolate bar.
Black is the depth of night.

They ask me what I can see.
I can see nothing.

Highly Commended

Lies from a Phonebooth
by Annabelle Chapman

After all we’ve been through
I never expected something like this
I was always beside you
While you wallowed in self-pity
When deep down inside you knew you were pretty
And you told me nothing was wrong
But sweetie, I’m no mind reader
How could you expect me to know?

You’re the self portrait of a well planned lie
And all that time I held your hand
You were planning how to die

I should have seen it coming (But I didn’t)
I should have known the truth (But I didn’t)
I should have stopped this from happening (But I couldn’t)
Lies from a photobooth

My hand was there, why did you never take it?
I’m a reasonable person hunny
Why couldn’t you see that?
With one hand in the grave
I cry to a life I couldn’t save
Unanswered questions, my spirit is restless
How could you expect me to know?

You’re the self portrait of a well planned lie
And all that time I held your hand
You were planning how to die

I should have seen it coming (But I didn’t)
I should have known the truth (But I didn’t)
I should have stopped this from happening (But I couldn’t)
Lies from a photobooth

It was coming, It was coming (But I didn’t)
How could I see that coming (But I didn’t)
Nothing was wrong, that’s what you told me (But I didn’t)
Nothing nothing nothing at all (But I didn’t)
It’s all I have left to hold (But I didn’t)
Lies from a photobooth

I tried so hard (lies lies lies)
But couldn’t save you (lies lies lies)
I tried to save you (lies lies lies)
I didn’t (lies)
I didn’t
I didn’t (lies)
I didn’t

Lies……

From a photobooth