Felix Dennis Prize Commissions 2016

October 5, 2016

Forward Arts Foundation asked the poets shortlisted for the Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection to  create a new poem on the theme of ‘messages’ to celebrate National Poetry Day 2016. Not only did the poets respond with written poems, they sent us audio recordings, films and a digital text generating engine!

best-first-collection-shortlist-commissions-image

Download as PDF file

Satellite by Nancy Campbell

Nancy’s poem uses the voice of a satellite sending climate change data back to earth. Speaking about her poem Nancy tells us, “One of the most urgent messages of our time is environmental. But who is listening?”

Paper Boats by Ron Carey

Reflecting on his poem, Ron tells us, “We have so much to tell the people we love when they are gone – sending messages and prayers when we miss them the most.”

 

 

The Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection celebrates the best book of poetry from a new writer publishing in the UK. This year the five shortlisted poets were Nancy Campbell, Ron CareyHarry GilesRuby Robinson and Tiphanie Yanique.