My poem Interior with a Table has been awarded equal Fourth Prize in the 2026 Kent & Sussex 2026 Open Poetry Competition. I was delighted, especially as the competition was judged by Mimi Khalvati. She describes the poem as a ‘sensitive example of ekphrastic poetry’. You can read her Judge’s Report here.

The poem was inspired by the 2021 painting of the same title by Vanessa Bell. The date put me in mind of WWI which enters the frame.

You can read the poem here.

Congratulations to the other winners. Most of their poems are already on the website. Jonathan Edwards was awarded the First Prize. His lovely poem My Father Sits his Driving Test’ will appear shortly.