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Poetry Archive Now Wordview 2024: Would you rather
by William Wyld
Poetry Archive Now Wordview 2024: Would you rather
There were bats in the disused railway tunnel
under the hill, it was fenced off and the darkness
was inky. A sign explained that the bats were
endangered, with an illustration. Look
at their mad faces, you said. We stood
and watched the ferns dripping
from the brickwork, but nothing appeared.
Would you rather, you began, and I turned
to look at you. Would you rather have an ear
for a mouth, or mouths instead of ears? We parted
at the edge of the wood with an awkward wave.
I didn’t know if our restraint was down
to inexperience, or just a sense that we had time.
We sat together and read, visited
the library, and listened to the birds in the park.
I brought you cakes you were too nervous
to eat, we lay together without touching.
What is your favourite bird? You asked me.
Would you rather have feet instead of hands
or hands instead of feet? I didn’t know for weeks
if I would ever touch your face. We visited
my Mother’s place. There wasn’t time
for her to meet you but we walked
through her garden where last year’s
apples lay rotting on the ground, and followed
a meandering stream that flowed a deep red brown
from the peat. You told me you could taste
the iron. We heard a hunting horn to the east,
and I joked we could be eaten by the hounds.
Would you rather be eaten alive, or eat
someone alive? you said. We laughed and flashed
our teeth. I wanted to much just to hold
your hand, but again we parted with our odd
decorum. We finally found the courage
to embrace after a visit to the city farm and some
small beer. Our mouths were wet, and In that room
hung with red drapes and effigies we fell together
nose to tail on your low bed but I found
between your legs that you had another face.
You smiled, warmly, as you always did,
and kissed me on the cheek. Ears, feet
and be eaten, I said. But listen, how do you wee?
A special thank you to our WordView 2024 poets.
Hear from some our winners this year on what the Archive and winning has meant to them:
From William Wyld:
'As a neuro-diverse poet who has struggled to engage with books, reading aloud made literature accessible to me. The Poetry Archive is such a valuable resource and to be included as a winner is a wonderful surprise, giving me validation as an artist, the motivation to keep writing and performing, and the confidence to submit my work widely. I recorded at the last minute, walking by a river through the undergrowth as the light was fading, so my poem could be heard with the movement of the landscape. It was an experiment, but good things happen when we take risks.'
From Sarah Morris:
'I felt that I would enter the PAN competition as my last submission of the year as it is a fun one to do. I enjoy reading out my poems and doing videos and bonus with PAN as they are put up online. I like that these poems are accessible by everyone.
When I got the ' you are a winner' email – I felt super impressed that I had been included for a top 20 selection – I felt validated that my work has been recognised and it has inspired me to keep on writing and re drafting next year.'
From Nuri Rosegg:
'A British friend told me about PAN. I’m grateful to her and to PAN that I could enter this fabulous poetry competition. This year (just like last year when I entered for the first time) I felt grateful, excited and a little bit nervous due to the video-making challenge. However, it was great fun to read out loud my own piece of work. It’s another dimension being able to present my poem to the audience “live” from around the world than just having them read my text. Being one of the winners this year makes me so happy, grateful and proud. Thanks, PAN!'
From Julie-Ann Rowell:
"It is an honour to have my reading of my poem ‘Newsworthy’ chosen for the Poetry Archive Now! WordView 2024 project, representing poets writing in English in 2024. This particular year has been deeply challenging, and I wanted to write about George Orwell for whom the exchange of information and how this can be distorted was of prime significance. His world view is as relevant today as it ever was. Poetry has an important task to do in representing what is happening in the world and the Poetry Archive does a fantastic job of storing recordings of poets at work for future generations. Hearing poets’ voices brings their words into a more personal and lasting frame, and the Archive is free for anyone to listen in and find their favourite poet or discover a new one. I am so proud to be a part of it."
From Joe Williams:
"I was very pleased to hear my poem ‘Carol Prepares Her Third Perm of the Day’ was to be included in the Poetry Archive’s Now! Wordview 2024 collection. These collections provide a great snapshot of the year in poetry, featuring a diverse range of poets, and I’m particularly interested in the way they include grass roots writers as well as some better known names. My poem is taken from a pamphlet I’m currently working on, and it’s fantastic to have the support of the Poetry Archive as I look ahead to approaching potential publishers."
See the collectionWatch the full Wordview 2024 playlist