WINNER for April's competition as presented at the Open Mic was Ellen McKenna with her poem 'Inner Musings' using the theme Inner thoughts.

Highly Commended certificate went to Joe McGinley for his poem 'If I had not chosen' in Courage and Fear theme.

Here we see Rachel Toner our MC presenting the delighted winners. Well done to all on the short list. Seanin Hughes, Brett Lemick and

Liam Mcillvenna

Inner Musings by Ellen McKenna

My thoughts depend on the mood I’m in,

What features in the news each day,

My interactions with people,

The myriad tasks that need completion.

They flit between topics,

Some like butterflies, sunny and beautiful,

Others like wasps, barbed and judgemental.

My thoughts are mine alone,

Influenced by my age, my upbringing,

My opinion of right and wrong.

Spinning and whirring within the confines of my being,

Often not ‘woke’ or politically correct.

It is therefore fortunate that

No one can yet see into my mind

And read my inner thoughts.

'If I Hadn't Chosen ' by Joe McGinley

                                 *

If I hadn’t chosen between courage & fear

I’d definitely still be sitting down

Instead im standing up here.

I questioned the facts whether written or said,

And courage prevailed were fear would have fled.

Sometimes courage like pride comes right before a fall

But fear just prevents you from even trying at all.

So, if you ever have to choose between courage and fear,

Choose what you love, it’s why we’re all here. 

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May's poetry competition themes are

  1)Under the surface (what lies beneath) 

  2)Strange conversations (did they or I really just say that?)

  3)My planet (do you have toxic relationship with the planet?)