A YOUNG poet from Coventry is one of just 15 winners of the Foyle Young Poets of the Year 2021.
Daniel Wale was chosen by the judges of the contest for the second consecutive year.
An amazing feat in itself but even more so when you consider 14,408 poems were submitted by 6,775 young poets from around the world, including Argentina, Egypt, Kenya, South Korea and the Seychelles, and every corner of the UK.
The announcement of Daniel’s achievement was announced today – National Poetry Day.
A delighted Daniel said: “I am indebted to this year’s amazing judges, Yomi Ṣode and Clare Pollard for selecting me as one of this year’s Foyle winners.
“I was amazed to find that I was once again a top 15 poet!
“From my experience of winning last year, I know I have so much to look forward to.
“Most of all, I can’t wait to get to know more like-minded young poets and read their work.”
Run by The Poetry Society and generously supported by the Foyle Foundation, this has been an exciting 23rd year for the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award.
Since 1998, the Award has been finding, celebrating and supporting the very best young poets from around the world.
The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award is firmly established as a leading competition for young poets aged between 11 and 17 years old.
One of Daniel’s poems – Daisy Chains – is below.
Daisy Chains by Daniel Wale
They never took
long to make,
nor did they lack
that tender sloppiness
which made the petals
melt pink in the palms,
like juiced hearts.
These were when
we ran our
fingers through the
wilting stems; supposed
they were her hair
or her hands.
These were when
we laboured those
shy hours away
in a shivering line
of blushes, making
a short-lived toy
of short-lived love
