Written by Poet Les Bush
Ten out of Ten, Female First,
Ten years passed; decades more to go.
May your fortunes flourish
and your influence continue to grow.
Thank you, Female First;
thank you, Lucy.
In a world bereft of verse
you offered a sanctuary.
I came a stranger; a poet, I said;
from a land down under.
“Thank you for your interest”
was the reply; “send us your verse”.
I did. Response was immediate.
“I like it. Send us more”.
On the same day, it was set;
so well presented, to ensure
more people could read it
than ever before.
That was the beginning.
I sent more and more.
Always the same courtesy;
the same polite, prompt response.
Such delight to be treated with dignity,
as one worthy of recognition and recompense.
“Have an idea”, I said:
“a poetry competition;
would like you to be host”.
No hesitation:
“Tell us what you want”.
Compiled a proposal.
“Yes”, was the reply;
“we are at your disposal”.
That was two competitions ago.
The third is still in progress.
We look forward to more.
I digress.
Ten out of Ten, Female First,
Ten years passed; decades more to go.
May your fortunes flourish
and your influence continue to grow.
I look forward to remaining part
of the family of writers you encourage.
You gave me a start.
You honoured me with a page.
Poetry is my challenge, my reward;
free from the dreary constraints of prose.
I join your crusade to take it forward,
to foster it, and make it grow.
26 September 2013
Tagged in les bush