Judging poetry at the Farnham Literary Festival

Judging the adult poetry competition for the Farnham Literary Festival 2024 was a delightful, moving experience. This year’s theme was ‘Friendship’. It was a privilege to read and select the shortlist, runners up and overall winner for the competition from the 65 entries. Friendship was a very emotive title – I  read of lost friendships, regretted friendships, warm friendships, betrayed friendships, devoted friendships, golden friendships.

I was very touched by so many and just because a poem did not make the shortlist, it didn’t mean the poem was not worthy. In judging, I had to read each poem ‘blind’; I do not know how the poet would have read it aloud, for that is how poems are mean to be – read aloud. Only then can the poet bring in their intended expression and emphasis and detail. So I read them aloud myself by the way the words were crafted to play on the tongue, to leave pauses at the punctuation, to look at the intended spaces. I had no knowledge of the author’s name  their background or their story, but I hoped to gain an insight into them from their writing.

A poem should stir something within me; an impact, an enlightening, an image, a consideration. I don’t have to understand it fully; it can intrigue me enough to read it again and again. And to savour it. To remember key phrases. It may be straightforward or there may be a twist. Then I looked at the workmanship and whether this poet had considered the most descriptive and appropriate wording to use and to illustrate their purpose. What is the purpose of the poem? I examined the structure – whether haiku or free verse or rhyme. I also had to stick to the brief and although poetic licence enables us to stray a little from the theme, the overall consideration was the value or frustration or grief of ‘Friendship’.

The poems I chose carried me with them; I could be there in the imagery and accompany the poet alongside their tears, shock, care, humour and love that was evident and expressed.

Usually, poets write for themselves but it takes courage to submit the writings and release inner thoughts outward to an audience. Each poet had that audience in me and believe me, it was a great pleasure. I urged all the poets to continue to share their poems with others.

“You have stories only you can tell.”