Story perspectives

Forward Prize Honors Poets for Powerful Collections

12/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Forward prize this year recognized two winners: Karen Solie (poet) for Wellwater and Vidyan Ravinthiran (poet) for Avidya.
Isabelle Baafi (poet) won Best First Collection for Chaotic Good, a powerful study of a toxic marriage.
Karen Downs-Barton (poet) addresses experiences in the care system and discrimination in Minx.
The posthumous collection of Seamus Heaney (poet) remains significant, and Simon Armitage (poet) explores death and joy in nature.

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Story summary

The Forward prize this year recognized two winners: Karen Solie (poet) for Wellwater and Vidyan Ravinthiran (poet) for Avidya.
Isabelle Baafi (poet) won Best First Collection for Chaotic Good, a powerful study of a toxic marriage.
Karen Downs-Barton (poet) addresses experiences in the care system and discrimination in Minx.
The posthumous collection of Seamus Heaney (poet) remains significant, and Simon Armitage (poet) explores death and joy in nature.