Partridge Boswell's "The Gathering" Wins National Poetry Competition

Partridge Boswell's poem "The Gathering" has been awarded the £5,000 first prize in this year's National Poetry Competition, selected from over 21,000 entries across 113 countries. The poem explores themes of language, love, and the emotional toll of global suffering, particularly in relation to state violence and war. Boswell's work reflects his attempts to process distressing world events through poetry, as he noted, “I followed the media for a long while, writing elegies, parodies and rants” to navigate his discomfort and disbelief.

The Guardian

The judging panel, comprising Susannah Dickey, Ian Duhig, and Denise Saul, expressed admiration for "The Gathering," stating, “We were blown away by this poem, and we couldn’t resist returning to it again and again.” They highlighted the poem's ability to juxtapose personal grief against the backdrop of broader societal violence, particularly in Gaza, and raised questions about the potency of language amidst the relentless news cycle.

The Guardian

"The Gathering" employs vivid imagery and complex metaphors to convey its messages. For instance, Boswell writes about "a record herd of god’s tiny cows" and "the complicit silence of a bedroom," illustrating the tension between personal experiences and collective tragedies. The poem's structure reflects a deep engagement with language, questioning how it can maintain its significance in the face of overwhelming despair.

The Guardian

In addition to Boswell, the competition recognized nine other winners, including runner-up Damen O’Brien, who received £3,000 for his poem "Axe," and third prize winner Zoe Dorado, awarded £2,000 for "Badminton." The top three poems will be published in the spring 2026 issue of The Poetry Review. Seven additional poets received commendations, each winning £500.

The Guardian

Boswell expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing the award as a "humbling and massively ‘affirming flame’ in a dark winter." The National Poetry Competition, founded in 1978, has a history of celebrating significant poetic voices, with past winners including Carol Ann Duffy and Sinéad Morrissey.

The Guardian

While the competition has been praised for its inclusivity and recognition of diverse voices, some critics argue that the focus on themes of suffering may overshadow other poetic forms that celebrate joy and resilience. This perspective suggests a need for a broader representation of experiences in contemporary poetry.

The Guardian

The next iteration of the National Poetry Competition is set to open in June 2026, continuing its tradition of fostering poetic expression and engagement with pressing global issues.

The Guardian

• “We were blown away by this poem, and we couldn’t resist returning to it again and again, each reading yielding more insights into its ambition, the emotional stakes and philosophical perspicacity of its ideas,” — Judges, National Poetry Competition

The Guardian

• “For this poem to receive such recognition is a humbling and massively ‘affirming flame’ in a dark winter,” — Partridge Boswell

The Guardian