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Irish Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Poem on ecology and friendship wins Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2025
'What a joy this was,' Kate Wakeling said of judging the Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2025. The annual prize, run by The Moth, which celebrates its 15th birthday this month, has been judged in the past by Michael Morpurgo and Roger McGough, and shines a much-needed light on poetry written by adults for children. The winner this year is Laura Theis, with her poem, I complain to my friend who has been turned into a tree. 'There is depth and complexity here – about ecology, about friendship – but this is all worn lightly, and the tone is sustained with great skill and beauty from start to finish," Wakeling said. 'Picking a favourite line is almost impossible but if I had to choose one, I'd plump for 'She greens at me, wistfully', which is such a gorgeous image, expressed with such economy, music and charm. I don't exactly know what it means – except I also do. For me, this is the sort of magic that only a poem can accomplish." Theis grew up in a German town where each street was named after a different fairy tale, and she now lives in Oxford. She writes in English as her second language, for readers of all ages. She has a distinction in creative writing from Oxford University, and her work has been widely anthologised and appears in Poetry, Oxford Poetry, Rattle, Crannóg, Tyger Tyger, Berlin Lit and many others. She has been awarded the Alpine Fellowship, the Mogford Prize, the AM Heath Prize, the Live Canon Collection Prize and the Arthur Welton Award from the Society of Authors. She was nominated for the Forward Prize and the SFPA Elgin Award and was a finalist for the Bridport Prize, The National Poetry Competition and the BBC Short Story Prize. Her most recent books are A Spotter's Guide To Invisible Things and Introduction To Cloud Care . Her children's debut, Poems From A Witch's Pocket , will be published by The Emma Press this September and will contain lots of magic spells, letters, to-do-lists and of course her prizewinning poem. READ MORE 'Winning the Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an absolute dream come true!!' Theis said. 'I found out that I had won first prize on my birthday, and it was the best birthday present I could ever have imagined - especially because I'm about to publish my children's debut, Poems from a Witch's Pocket, this autumn. 'It felt like a magical stamp of approval for the kind of writing I put in the book, so it has made me extra-happy. Writing and reading poetry for children is such a complete joy, I love it so much, and I have been a fan of The Caterpillar for years and have discovered so many wonderful poets through the prize, I still can't believe I have now joined their ranks ..." I complain to my friend who has been turned into a tree I complain to my friend who has been turned into a tree. You have it so easy. She greens at me, wistfully. Do I? She shakes her branches, sways towards me. What makes you think so? I just envy you, I say. You're going to live for hundreds of years now, with no stress and nothing to worry about. She drops a leaf on me as if I'm being stupid. Not in this city I won't, not in this day and age. I might even die before you. And as for stress, how about worrying about winter, and water too much of it, or too little, and what about soil compaction, pollution, bug infestations, lice, exposure to road salt, the construction site right by my roots? What about fires and lightning? Sometimes the dust on my leaves gets so thick I can no longer breathe. You know those nightmares where you are rooted to one spot and can't get away? Yeah, that's what I thought. I do not sleep now, not ever. I fling my arms around her, feeling contrite. Forgive me, I had no idea, I whisper into her bark. You never asked. Theis will receive €1,000 and spend a week at Circle of Misse in France, a retreat where creativity takes centre stage – set on the banks of the Thouet River, a tributary of the Loire. Nicky Hetherington Second prize is awarded to Nicky Hetherington's poem Dyslexia. Hetherington lives in rural mid-Wales. Her work has been published widely and includes her children's book, Jack and the Dog Boy and a poetry pamphlet Cultivating Caterpillars . She also produced and edited a small anthology of poetry, A Spot of Poetry for Kids , raising money for Children in Need. She has been placed in several competitions, including the Oriel Davies Competition, and this year she was selected to participate in Literature Wales's Speak Back project, developing poetry for performance, from which a video anthology will be produced. Hetherington often finds inspiration in nature and the countryside and issues of social justice, especially of the marginalised or invisible. Or sometimes just plain nonsense, because, when the world doesn't always make sense, sometimes nonsense is the only sensible response. 'I had been keeping my eyes open for a really funny and surprising poem,' Wakeling said, 'and was so glad to come across this delight. Of course, this poem is also grounded in something thoughtful and perceptive. Through the joyfully absurd imagery at its close, it expresses something very particular and poignant about the challenges of living with dyslexia. 'I especially loved the framing device of the 'dry stone wall'; this slow intricate craft is an excellent metaphor for writing as a whole, while the particular weight and labour of the process also conveys something powerful about dyslexia. And then bang , out of nowhere land the squirrels and saucepans. I did a proper lol." Dyslexia It's like building a dry stone wall. Every stone is a different shape and size so it's really tricky … to see which ones … will fit … the gaps. You try your best, sorting through your pile of stones to find the right one ... for each spot. Then, when you've finished, someone says, 'That's not a stone, that's a squirrel, and that one's a saucepan! Why are you building a wall with squirrels and saucepans?' Lorraine Mariner Third prize goes to Lorraine Mariner, a librarian at the National Poetry Library in London, for her poem Food Bank. Mariner has published two collections of poetry for adults with Picador, Furniture and There Will Be No More Nonsense , and has twice been shortlisted in the Forward Prizes and also for the Seamus Heaney Centre Poetry Prize. Working with the children's books and on school visits and early years Rug Rhymes at the Poetry Library inspired her to start writing poems and picture books for children. She's published her poems for children and young people in The Dirigible Balloon , Paper Lanterns , The Toy and Tyger Tyger . She is currently completing her third collection for adults which features poems about her Greek and Irish family history. 'This accomplished sonnet packs a punch through such simple and direct language,' Wakeling said. 'It is powerful and moving in its dignity and precision. The use of a child's voice, so matter of fact, is skilfully handled and I thought the use of form here was especially effective: the poem feels taut and controlled, which reflects its subject very sharply. This was a poem I found myself hankering to return to, and each time I read it again I found another glinting detail of the poet's craft and care, which in turn led me deeper into the poem's meaning and purpose.' Food Bank Josie saw me coming out the Food Bank. I was helping my mum to carry the bags. On the bus to our flat I couldn't speak and the silence made Mum sad. Josie's the coolest kid in class 6B. She has great hair, I'm jealous of her clothes. Will she tell the other kids she saw me? Her mum's a lawyer, they have a pool at home. Today I told my mum I was poorly but her thermometer said I was fine for school. Josie's chatting with her friends like normal, won't look at me as the class walks to our room. But on my chair there's a bag of cakes and a note, 'I baked too many, these are for you.' Wakeling also commended poems by Carole Bromley, Helen Dineen, Victoria Gatehouse, Jemima Laing, Kate O'Brien, Rachel Piercey and Melinda Szymanik. Alongside The Caterpillar Poetry Prize, The Moth runs three annual literary prizes. The Moth Short Story Prize, judged by Evie Wyld, closes on June 30th; The Moth Nature Writing Prize, judged by Mark Cocker, closes on September 30th, and The Moth Poetry Prize opens again in August.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Devin Townsend is taking an indefinite break from touring but promises 'dozens' of projects to come
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Devin Townsend has announced an 'indefinite' break from touring, advising anyone who is planning to see him onstage to come along to his forthcoming US dates. After that, well, it's vacation time. With the rising costs of touring, the logistics involved, and the amount of time spent away from his family, the prolific Canadian prog-metal guitar trailblazer released a statement, saying it was time to press pause. 'Over the years, I've heard it countless times: 'Dev, take a break… please.' But the flood of ideas, the excitement, and the support of incredible musicians and listeners have kept me going, kept me touring, and kept me grateful for a life on the road,' he writes. 'That said, things have changed – especially since the pandemic. Booking tours now means planning up to two years in advance. With fewer venues, fewer crews, and a saturated touring circuit, it's become more challenging than ever to line things up.' Townsend does not say how long he will be off-road for. But his upcoming dates in North America will be the only live shows in the foreseeable future. Those who can't make it could point can relive the live production of The Moth, Townsend's most ambitious – most audacious – work, and stream it in 4K UHD from On Air (priced £20.99), where it is available on demand until 28 May 2025. The Moth tells the story of life, from birth to death, and Townsend's performance of it in the Netherlands saw him accompanied by the NNO symphony orchestra and choir, plus his regular band featuring Mike Keneally, Darby Todd, and James Leach. That Netherlands show is and will be the only time he performs The Moth in its entirety. Townsend, however, will be back onstage. He just doesn't know when. Right now his priorities – familial and musical – are at home. 'Life has simply caught up with me,' he writes. 'My parents need help, my dogs are on their last legs, the kids have moved out, The Moth is nearly complete, and truthfully, I need some time to breathe and recalibrate.' And also he needs some time to devote to a the projects that have been pushed aside by Townsend's touring schedule, chief of which is The Ruby Quaker Show, a YouTube series to 'explore the dozens of creative ventures' that Townsend has prevaricated over. What sort of form will this take? All-sorts, says Townsend. There will be some weird stuff too. 'Albums, worlds, inventions, and strange, wonderful ideas I've postponed for years – now I'm making the time to bring them to life, without that familiar pressure of knowing I'll be gone again in a month,' he writes. Townsend's latest studio album, PowerNerd, is out now via Inside Out. His US dates start on 2 May in Nashville. See Devin Townsend for upcoming tour dates and ticket details.
Axios
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
The Moth brings its storytelling magic to SF
The Moth, an open-mic storytelling platform known for its deeply personal, humorous and emotional stories, rolls out the red carpet in San Francisco Tuesday. State of play: This particular rendition of the well-known event is called a Story Slam, where attendees are chosen at random to participate in a competition where they share a true, personal, 5-minute story on that evening's theme. The theme is "All Nighter," where participants will get to tell stories about an evening where they stayed up until dawn. How it works: 10 people from the audience will be chosen at random and the winner will get the opportunity to participate in The Moth's "Grand Slam" performance, or what the organization dubs its "ultimate storytelling competition." The big picture: The tone of each story can range widely from being hilarious and cringy to heartbreaking or surprising. The goal is to inspire human connection through sharing personal, vulnerable and authentic moments. Catch up quick: The Moth was created by the novelist George Dawes Green who wanted to recreate the hot summer evening storytelling sessions of his youth in Georgia, where moths attracted to the porch light would flutter around them. Since its launch in 1997, about 60,000 stories have been told at more than 6,000 live performances. The show is broadcast on public radio stations across the U.S. as The Moth Radio Hour and is also available via podcast. Pro tip: Get there at least 10 minutes early since seating is only available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you go: Doors open at 6:30pm. The show starts at 7:30pm at Public Works, a 21+ venue at 161 Erie St. Purchase tickets for $17 here.
Perth Now
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Devin Townsend to take indefinite hiatus after North American tour
Devin Townsend will take an indefinite hiatus after the conclusion of his North American tour in May. The Prog legend, 52, plans to take a break to "breathe and recalibrate" after going at it non-stop for more than three decades. In a video update, he told fans on social media: 'For nearly 35 years, I've followed a creative path guided by instinct — each album, each tour, each project a new chapter in a story I've felt compelled to tell. 'My mind latches on to concepts, and I love chasing them down. That chase has made this journey wild, unpredictable, and deeply fulfilling.' He continued: 'Over the years, I've heard it countless times: 'Dev, take a break… please.' But the flood of ideas, the excitement, and the support of incredible musicians and listeners have kept me going, kept me touring, and kept me grateful for a life on the road. That said, things have changed — especially since the pandemic.' Townsend noted how tours have become a logistical challenge due to 'fewer venues, fewer crews, and a saturated touring circuit.' Further to this, the musician's family need him. He explained: 'And beyond the logistics, life has simply caught up with me: my parents need help, my dogs are on their last legs, the kids have moved out, 'The Moth' is nearly complete, and truthfully, I need some time to breathe and recalibrate. 'So I've made the decision to take a break from touring — an indefinite one. This upcoming North American run will be the last time you'll see me on stage for the foreseeable future.' Townsend reassured fans that this does not mean he is retiring, insisting: 'I'll be performing until my final breath." He went on: 'Touring has been a beautiful, exhausting constant in my life, and for once, I'm listening to the voice that says: slow down. I want to create from a place of calm inspiration rather than frantic obligation. And until I can truly be there for the people who rely on me, my creativity won't be at its best.' Townsend's final concert of his jaunt takes place May 23 in Los Angeles.
