The winning poems from this year’s Poem Forest prize have been announced, and we were lucky enough to catch up with two of the poets behind them
The project invited young people from all over the country to use their words to make climate positive action, by submitting a nature-inspired poem. For every entry, a tree is planted to help heal habitats and create a poem forest for future generations.
This year, the competition received nearly 6,000 entries, bringing the total number of trees planted over the two years of its running to 10,800!
In the Upper Secondary group, Hannah F in year 10 won for her poem In the Valley.
In the Valley by Hannah F
In the valley, the wattles drip with yellow,
Revealing patches of old farmland
Where mother nature has reclaimed the slopes.
In the valley, the currawongs leave for kunanyi,
After sheltering in the creek for winter,
They’re ready for the cliffs again.
In the valley, wedge-tailed eagles balance
On the warm updrafts, they glide
Keenly watching the land below.
Winter rains leave grasses green,
Eucalypts reveal new growth
Young branches reaching up towards the sun.
But beyond the green pockets
Nestled under the mountain,
Rhythms are changing and
Cycles are slipping
Out of alignment.
The future of the valley,
The future of the planet,
Is up to us.
TB: Congratulations on your win! Tell us about your poem-writing process.
Hannah: Thank you! If I’m completely honest, it didn’t take me all that long to write. I heard about the Poem Forest and was really interested when I found out that a tree would be planted for each entry. That was my first incentive to enter.
I was at school when I heard about it, pondered it for a bit and then went home and drafted my poem, sitting in a hammock chair on the back veranda. From the hammock chair I can see right down the valley that my poem is based on, and that was the source of my inspiration. After that I fiddled with language and rhythm for a bit and then submitted it.
TB: Was there a specific experience that sparked inspiration for this poem?
Hannah: Not specific – I am passionate about climate action and caring for the planet, and I love writing, plus anything nature-themed is my style. I chose to write about the valley where I live and walk on every day. The valley is a very special place for me and I know it well, so it was wonderful to write about.
TB: What are your top three ways we can do our bit to look after the planet better?
Hannah: My main interests and things I think everyone should do are:
- Growing some (or lots!) of your own food
- Reducing your plastic waste
- Planting trees/joining landcare groups
I fully intend on spending my adult life advocating for sustainable living, especially in regenerative agriculture/permaculture, and I think that the above three tie in really well as easy things to do from home.
Rohin F in year six won the Threatened Species prize for his poem The Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef by Rohin F
The uncharted waters of aquamarine blue.
A shadow stalks up, made from our rue.
A singular polyp, its life being leeched, fades slowly to white, as its algae is bleached.
The pure white sand, as smooth as a plaque, conceal venomous stonefish, with spines on their backs.
Small tropical fish, of all colours and shapes, drift unaware, as a Wobbegong waits.
Graceful pods of dolphins, elegant and slim,
Away from the Bull Sharks, who lurk in the dim.
Pale-faced herons, eagles and terns shriek, as global warming threatens the calm air to burn.
But drifting on the currents, lifeblood of grey,
A raft of pumice, floating slowly to the bay.
Porous grey rock, riddled with life, cures the reef ’s sufferings, bleaching and strife.
Revitalising energy flows through the seas,
Restoring and bringing life to the reefs.
But it does not fully stop the bleaching and the coral stems curl.
We must end the reef ’s agony to save this wonder of the world.
TB: Congrats on this achievement! Was there a specific trip or experience that sparked inspiration for this poem?
Rohin: I was pretty stumped for ideas when I was thinking of themes of my poem, so I started looking back on all my experiences, and stumbled upon my trip to Cairns a few years back. I remembered the vibrant array of colours and life under the veil of turquoise blue. I knew I had to write about it and despite living in a desert, I still managed to emulate in my head the brilliant reef.
TB: What does winning the Poem Forest competition mean to you?
Rohin: I am truly honoured to have been acknowledged by the brilliant judges of the poem forest competition, and to have won in my category. I wrote this poem in school, and I wasn’t expecting to win. The Great Barrier Reef is something that I have always adored, and I am really happy that I could share my love with everyone.
TB: What can we do to look after natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef?
Rohin: The main threat to the Great Barrier Reef is coral bleaching, when the coral’s colourful algae is killed by warming waters. Climate change is the main cause of the oceans heating up. The pollution from all around the world is creeping into ocean and causing coral to suffer. Similar to other natural wonders, the rising temperatures have a massive impact on functioning lifeforms in various ways. We need to begin using more renewable sources, such as solar power or hydropower.
To see all of the winners of this year’s Poem Forest competition, visit https://redroompoetry.org/projects/poem-forest/
