Poetry is the gift that keeps on giving.

Judging the Briefly Write Poetry Prize 2022 was a joy, a delight, an inspiration… and a headache.

In every poem is a little piece of the self; in every stanza, a light that illuminates a life. Every word is an opening to new worlds. We read, re-read and re-read every poem submitted to the Poetry Prize because every entry was worthy of careful re-reading.

Popular themes this year included love, hope, loneliness and revenge. Flowers, friends and poetry all played starring roles; trees, coffee and the sky at night were close behind. Every voice added something unique.

Poetry is a conversation and we hope our choices spark discussion. We hope you’ll agree with some of our picks… and would love to hear what you think in the comments below. Feel free to reflect on the poems and congratulate the winning poets!

We are so grateful for the support and love shown to our little literary space. Thank you… and you and you and you.

Thank you,

Daniel & Elinor

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FIRST

Aimee R. Cervenka, ‘Thinking of Basements’

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SECOND

Jennie E. Owen, ‘Haircut’

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THIRD

Galia Admoni, ‘Crow Boy’

Ellen Clayton, ‘Synodic’

Al McClimens, ‘Wattle & Daub’

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SHORTLIST

Beattie, ‘I, Having Been Bitten by an Angel’

Halle George, ‘The Lost Girls’

Suchita Senthil Kumar, ‘My Father Taught Me To Touch Fire’

Tehnuka, ‘We, too, in summer sun’

Laura Theis, ‘sapling’

Sherre Vernon, ‘My Daughter Asks Me If I Was Happy’

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LONGLIST

Gaynor Beesley * Creana Bosac * Jonathan Chan * Ion Corcos * Jennifer R. Edwards * Carl Farrell * Donna Faulkner (née Miller) * Lindsey Harrington * Kerry J Heckman * Jennifer Ruth Jackson * Helen Kay * Keith Li-Bouchard * Mina Malik * Miruna Marin * Tony Maude * Ed Meek * Emily Munro * Muiz Opeyemi Ajayi * Aly Rhodes * Shana Ross * Abdulrazaq Salihu * Nnadi Samuel * Kay Sfictos * Hibah Shabkhez * Ana C. H. Silva * Jenniska Small * Sally Jane Tate * Chidiebere Udeokechukwu * Candace J. Williams * Angela Zimmerling

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