I am absolutely thrilled that I have won the English section of the Nartha poetry competition here in Qatar. The competition was run by the Qatar Poetry Centre, along with the British Council. See this post on Instagram and Twitter
The Flame Inside
Beyond the window let unsureness run.
The glossy bird hops up to the streaked glass
And peers inside. Its beak chips at the pane.
“You’re sure you know? For look – there lies your goal.”
And lights and music spin beyond the glass.
Inside is shaded warmth, a little dull,
Outside a funfair’s gleam, all glitz and shine.
The window winks with diamonds – no, just glass.
The bird’s head tilts and queries me again.
But fire on the hearth leaps into smoke-tinged heat.
Maybe that startling life will melt the glass
And I’ll step up and hold the blue flame out.
