Entry from Stephen Lewis

A Valentine’s poetry competition for lovers of history

A poll will run from 4–12 February to choose the winner, who will be announced on Valentine’s Day.

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ODE to JOHN

Come Kleio, my long hoped for muse,

So how his story goes, please choose.

The strophe move is not ‘till late

Bringing our hero to his fate.

The antistrophe’s later still,

Then the epode will end his will.

A century, with one day shorn,

From William’s crowning, he was born.

Auspicious birth, on Christmas Eve,

But third-in-line no land receive.

Of Henry 2 the youngest son

And favoured, (no rebellion).

The spare may have a chance to get

The crown, but poor Lackland, not yet.

First Henry three then brother Rick

Enough to make the spare’s spare sick.

In May, eleven ninety nine,

“At last,’ he said, ‘the throne is mine.”

He was crowned, by Hubert Walter,

The Archbishop of Cantwareburh.

The start of thirteenth century

Began with loss of Normandy

And all his other lands in France.

So Engla land he had to lance,

To get some money and some land.

He ran afoul of Robin’s band.

Later his barons were revolting

And so begins his eastward strophing,

From Windsor, forced to Runnymede,

His hand completes the famous deed.

And so the king, so much maligned,

His Magna Charter he has signed.

To the Wash, five seasons later,

With crown and j’wels on his carta.

Stormy surge and marsh too muddy

All is lost except dysent’ry.

Antistroph to Newark castle

Where the illness wins the battle.

Now the epode heads to the front

To Wash—ington there is a shunt.

His marble frieze is up athwart

As muse of US Supreme Court.

Stephen Lewis

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To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’re delighted to announce a brand new writing competition created especially for fans of Jodi Taylor.

This time, we’re inviting you to put pen to paper and compose a Valentine’s Day poem addressed to a famous person from history. The poem can be romantic, witty, heartfelt or mischievous, but it must include rhyming couplets. Submissions close on Saturday, 31st January, after which all entries will be published on Jodi's social media for readers to enjoy. The winner will be chosen through a public poll held between 1st and 13th February, and announced on 14th February. As a lasting keepsake, the winner will receive a beautifully framed copy of their poem.

CLICK HERE to submit your edited and formatted entry in Word document form.

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