A poem written by Fifth Former Alice Broadbent (L) was Highly Commended in the 14 to 16 Creative-Critical Writing category of the Forward/emagazine Young Critics Competition. Her poem was written from the perspective of Ariadne in response to the poem ‘Telemachus’ by Ocean Vuong.
The competition was judged by the emagazine editors and the poet Sarah Howe (winner of the TS Eliot Prize for Poetry 2015 for Loop of Jade).
Alice attended the Forward Prize awards ceremony on Thursday 21 September at the Royal Festival Hall, London, where she was presented with her certificate by Susanna Herbert, Executive Director of Forward Arts Foundation. The foundation, which runs the Forward Poetry Prize, also founded National Poetry Day.
Alice’s poem uses the classical legend of Theseus and Ariadne to tell a story of longing and belonging in the modern world, and uses uncompromising language and imagery. It was inspired by the American poet, Ocean Vuong’s ‘Telemachus’, which is based on the myth, but is more dark and melancholy. Her choice of the mythological character of Ariadne allowed Alice to speculate about what happened to her.
Ariadne
I’m the parasite. I’m the disease.
The thing no one wants.
Once I was the feast, now I’m a leftover.
I served my purpose, played as a marionette.
But now I know it was all a ruse.
I used to be a key that opened a door,
But when it creaked open the novelty wore off,
Like every new present a child begs for,
Uses for a day, and discards.
I’m the athlete, promised a match
But left as the reserve on the sidelines.
There’s no need for charm,
I can’t go back home. Just another
Mouth to feed.
Beauty fades, so does usefulness.
No love, no laughter, no life left in me.
But the city celebrates. Theseus was triumphant.
And I lost my head and my heart.
I am a fish out of water,
But I have to keep breathing.