COMPETITION

Daisy chain

Jaspistos

12 YEAR OLD SCOTCH WHISKY

In Competition No. 1657 you were in- vited to write a 'daisy chain', a poem in which each word begins with the last letter of the word before.

It was thoughtless of me to set such a torturous challenge at a time when your brains and fingers were bound to be occupied with knots and the wiring for fairy lights, and it was gallant of so many of you to have a go. Even a seasoned veteran like Basil Ransome-Davies was forced to retreat into sheer, albeit delicious, non- sense:

Should Dai infer reluctant tunes? Say yes. Should Doc consent?

Two Ovaltines shroud dead dragoons.

Six xylophones shook Kent.

The last line gave me that Housmanic shiver which he believed was the sign of authentic poetry. One of you asked: Poet's spouse's satanic competition - Now won't that trigger rare erudition? No, it didn't; but it did elicit five noble winners, all of whom, in my opinion, did better than Gavin Ewart himself in his `daisy chain' for the Queen's Jubilee in 1957, which begins cunningly but imper- missibly, 'Unique queendom!' The winners printed below get a hard-earned f16 each, and the special bonus bottle of Chivas Regal Longmom 15-year-old malt whisky goes to Chris Tingley. Last month is was Chapman and Keats, this month it's Word- sworth and Coleridge.

'Listen now, Wordsworth, how would Dorothy, Your roguish, haunting, gay, yet timorous sister, Receive eternal love's solicitations?

Such hope exalts, such haggard doubts subvert This spirit! Torments split this slavish heart That troubles so!' Off famous Skiddaw's steep, Plangently yet, the earnest tremolo Of frantic Coleridge echoed. Darkness swept Through hillsides solemn now. Wordsworth, held dumb Before events, seemed distant, tentative. Emotions stirred dim memories: Switzerland, Days sweetly youthful, lovers' shared delight; Till livelier recollection nourished dreams Solacing, gracious, still, like Evening's star; Redolent, too, of faded daffodil.

(Chris Tingley) Review of the Year's Films What tortured drivel: limping guff, Fatuous, sanctimonious stuff, Flatulent tosh, horrific crap, Preening, garish, hyped-up pap! Pretentious shorts (so overripe!), Effete, exquisite, elegant tripe, Egregious satires, somnolent thrillers, Sadistic, crass, satanic 'chillers' Senseless, stilted, directionless, Self-important turgidness!

(Peter Norman) Reindeer ride everywhere, Echo over roofs.

Santa's sleigh hangs soundless, snow Whitens skittish hoofs.

Seasonal lightheartedness Softens static cloud, Dim mornings shimmering Grow winter's shroud.

Doorbells sound, delivering Greetings. Singing groups Stand drowning grouches Salvationist troops.

Soon Noel's sentiments Shall leave everyone; Early year reflection Notes spending gone. (Katie Mallett) Spring goes swiftly, youthful leisure Entertains such hopeless sighs, Spring gives sweetness, syrup, pleasure, Eagerly youth holds surprise.

Enters summer, rabid dreamer, Red, delicious shallow wine, Enters summer, raucous schemer, Radiating grand design.

Nature enters sea autumnal, Longings softened, dreaming gone, Everything grows silent, thoughtful, Life expects slow waters soon.

Night transports such hardness, sorrow, Winter rages, sadness stings; Sleep, perhaps, sleep past tomorrow Where eternal laughter rings.

(Frank McDonald) Frost, transparent, turns snow white Every yew, while even night Takes self-conscious, spectral light.

Terrified dumb beasts still low, Watching God divine endow With His Spirit's shining glow Worldly yuletide evermore; Everlasting glories soar Round dreams' stable's sacred door.

(Alanna Blake)