A moving poem by a Year 5 pupil has won this year’s Rydal Mount Wordsworth Prize for Young Poets.
Scarlett Swift, who was at Windermere School when she wrote the poem on the theme of Peace, was presented with her prize at Rydal Mount by Christopher Wordsworth Andrew, the great great great great grandson of William Wordsworth. Scarlett has since moved to Northumberland.
Christopher read her poem at the award ceremony attended by children with their teachers and parents. Scarlett’s name is now on a plaque which will be on display at the house which was Wordsworth’s home for most of his life, alongside a framed copy of the poem. She also won a book of poems and a £50 cash prize.
Christopher and his mother, Susan, judged the poems in the annual contest and he said that they were both very moved by Scarlett’s words. Four youngsters from local primary schools were also given book prizes: Lily Best (Goodly Dale), Florence Helme (Windermere), Esme Larkin (Ambleside) and Ella Weiss (Storth). Alessia Musetti from The Lakes School won a book in the high school category. And certificates of commendation were handed out to 14 other young poets, out of more than 100 who took part.
“We were very moved by the heartfelt message in Scarlett’s poem,” said Christopher. “As always, we are thrilled to see young people here taking an interest in poetry and hoping to write more in the future.”
Scarlett’s poem:
Finding Peace
My Nan finds peace in a sunny day, on Blake Fell, right at the top,
My friend Indie finds peace in Kendal swimming pool, while avoiding the random belly flop,
Jennifer finds peace in Windermere on a shimmering sailing boat,
Enjoying the breeze, while soaring above the waves, perfectly afloat.
My Grandma, in her care home in Carlisle, tries in vain but can’t find peace,
The kind staff try to help her but the dementia stops her finding it, so she phones the police.
I find peace in my puppy Smurf’s soft and slobbery snuggles,
My cousin Esmé finds peace at Cogra Moss in wet and muddy puddles.
Wordsworth found peace at Cockermouth with his daffodils,
My dad finds his peace at the end of the month, when he pays all the invoices and bills.
I hope you find your peace in whatever form it takes,
And remember when you do, to cherish it, a hidden treasure amongst the dull, material keepsakes.
Rydal Mount 