I’m pleased to announce the winning entry for The Asian Writer New Writing Competition…
(drum roll)
Well done to GD Stickland (who you may remember also won the poetry category in our 2008 competition).
Roads, North and South
A pantoum
My friend, when you were only four
and dreaming of owning a bike,
and riding so fast on the shore
I smiled. For we were so alike.
From dreaming of owning a bike,
on the shore road now, you and I ride
and I smile for we are so alike
in jet black leather side by side.
When now, here along the shore; we ride
together, I wish we could be
in jet black leather, side by side,
always. My love, don’t you see?
That’s how I wish our future could be.
On roads, from cold north to warm south
Always! My love, don’t you see?
No loving words come from your mouth
On a rough road in the warm south
My dreams for you ended one day.
I wished for any word from your mouth
And thought you called my name. ‘Please stay.’
My dreams for us ended that day.
I awoke and knew you had gone.
Heard you call my name. ‘Oh please, stay.’
I replied. Only words on my tongue.
I awoke and knew it was done.
No future for us, only a past.
You on the road, words on my tongue.
You loved to dream of riding fast.
With no future for us, only a past
I remember at the church door.
You loved to dream of riding fast,
my friend, when you were only four.
and a highly commended entry by Fatima Al Matar.
Absence
The wind often carries your voice
enveloped in a dream
sometimes the shadow of your arm reaches out with
mine in a trivial gesture; when turning off the lamp
or closing and laying down a book
I wish to unwrap from your caging murmur
to feel the gentle falling of night
only you can touch darkness
put the twitching flicker of candles to rest
next to me you lie
always in your absence.
Well done to all the entrants. Please leave your comments for our winners!
