Ellie J. Shakerley Poetry Competition in collaboration with the InFinnity Project
The Ellie J. Shakerley Poetry Competition has now concluded. Rethink hosted a reception to celebrate a commemorative book which has been produced to celebrate both Ellie and Finn.
Here are some of the poets at the event.
This work provided the 2025 inspiration for the final Poetry Competition.
The Judges felt there were three poems which were particularly memorable and deserved special attention:
Feathers by Sarah Gogan – Carers of Psychosis Experiencers (COPE)
Feathers
stigma
/ˈstɪɡmə/
noun
- 1.
a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.
Yes, my son wears feathers,
from his head down to his toes.
In his hair, in his hat
And even out of his shoes.
Why do you look?
Why do you stare?
Haven’t you ever worn peacock feathers in your hair?
What’s that you say?
You don’t want feathers;
You don’t want him.
You only want peacocks who fit in.
inclusive
/ɪnˈkluːsɪv/
adjective
- 1.
not excluding any of the parties or groups involved in something.
“only an inclusive peace process will end the conflict”
Yes, my son wears feathers,
from his head down to his toes.
In his hair, out of his shoes
and what’s that?
So do you!
You’ve worn feathers in your hat
and you do want him.
You’ve changed your mind,
You’ve thought again.
All peacocks can come in.
Morning has broken by Steven Reid – London Arts and Social Network
Once a peacock, sad and grey,
Lost in gloom at close of day.
His feathers dulled and spirit chained,
As darkness fell, his ego pained.
A storm had blown through mind and heart,
And almost tore his soul apart.
But in the break of day and glow,
A spark of hope began to grow.
Among the blooms of lively hue,
His feathers stirred with shades anew.
Red and mauve, the flowers stood,
And lifted his unhappy mood.
In the garden, soft and bright,
Gold rays had swept away the night.
Butterflies rose, as if to dance,
And conjured up a magic trance.
Once chained by doubt, he spread his wings,
Embracing life and all it brings.
The world had roused and rose like new—
A soul reborn, his heart now flew!
Peacock by Joy Rutherford – Rethink Carer Support –
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough
Peacock steps
On elegant feet,
Pecks at the lawn,
Glows in the sun.
Perches on statues,
Flaunts among fountains.
Ornamental ,
Cultivated.
Peacock, welcome.
Walk into my house.
Fan out the spokes
Of your ferny tail.
Guard my sleep
With a hundred eyes.
Watch the night
With feathered candles.
Peacock, blow
Your warning horn.
Raindrops tap.
Small birds hide.
Lightning blades,
Purple thunder.
Blue and brave –
Peacock is dancing.
Peacock, fly
Through my fear.
Scythe the wind
With your broad wings.
I will ride
Bold on your back.
Carry me far,
Laughing and free.
Peacock, fly.
Last year the winning Poem written by Sister Chain & Brother John
Angel of Suburbia 1983 inspired by Finn’s artwork
You might not think of ‘swagger’ when you think of angels but of grace and holy stuff:
unearthly eery things but that Angel who came to my terrace that night
as big and as golden as Shwedagon temple and made my parents shut up
and blew up the school and took me to see the stars
and made stars ask for my autograph
and when I showed him my scars said “what scars?” and
shrugged for me the smooth skin
of a teenage seal
and before he left
placed his giant palms on my shoulders – two big yellow California suns and said that what was
definitely WILL NOT
ever shall be
That angel – he had swagger
and I’ve been flying on it
soaring
ever since.