THE Exmoor Society has relaunched the successful Coleridge Poetry Prize for its second year.
Practiced writers and new poets are invited to enter a poem up to 40 lines on any subject for the chance to win a £50 prize and to have their work featured on the Exmoor Society’s website and in other publications.
The now annual poetry competition was initially launched back in 2024, and was named in honour of the romantic poet, Samual Taylor Coleridge.
In 1797, Coleridge spent many days walking on Exmoor from his home in Nether Stowey and was inspired by the combination of its landscape and opium to write some of his most famous poems: Kubla Khan, the Rime of the Ancient Mariner and, with William Wordsworth, the Lyrical Ballads.
Chair of The Exmoor Society, Kate O’Sullivan said: “Exmoor is literally inspiring – it blows breath and ideas into us.
“From Coleridge lounging in an opium induced reverie somewhere above Porlock and writing Kubla Khan, there has always been something about it that taps into our romantic imagination and creates great work.
“That was what made us decide to launch the Coleridge Poetry Competition last year – continuing a long Exmoor Society tradition – and it was an enormous success. Lots of entries, many of great quality.
“As Coleridge wrote, poetry is the best words in the best order – and we are looking forward to many more this year.”
Entries may be submitted either by email at [email protected] or via post to the Exmoor Society, 23 Fore Street, Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9EX.
The 2024 poetry prize winner was Catherine Nicholls with her poem ‘Dunkery Beacon’ and runner up, Lizzie Ballagher with ‘Doone Valley’. Both entries can be found on The Exmoor Society website at https://www.exmoorsociety.com/competitions-and-awards