Junior Poetry Prize 2015

Congratulations to Tania Stokes, winner of the 2015 Junior Poetry Prize. Here are two of her poems, 'The Colours of the Senses' and 'Tarzan's Pool'.


The Colours of the Senses


Outside the door 
Is a fresh spring day, 
The scent of pale green hues 
tinged with lavender.

A waterfall 
Comes crashing down, 
The sound of raging dark blue shades 
Roaring above a pool of black

Wild berries 
Growing free upon the hill, 
The taste of deep purple 
Unattainable royalty.

Scattered pine needles 
Carpet the forest floor. 
Red to the touch 
Is their prickle defence.

The sunset 
Unravels its shining skein. 
I see its golden beauty 
As the day ends.   


Tarzan's Pool

I see the trees framing the bridge

As I tread a well-worn trail

Through a forest harbouring relics

To find a forgotten, shrouded pool.

I hear the operatic chorus,

The hum of the mosquito’s tune,

The flick of the lizard’s tongue,

My echoing footsteps.

I smell the must of mystery,

Sunbeams warming water,

Rocks, lichen, leaf mould

Come to life as scents.

I sense the silent creatures

Move beneath the water

The unseen reaches of the forest

Left untouched by humankind.

I am a gateway to another time,

I am the orchestra of the forest,

I am the guardian of the past,

I am

                A secret place.