The winner of a poetry competition run by Derbyshire County Council's libraries service has been announced. 

Prue Potiphar, from Loscoe, was chosen from the entries that came in from across Derbyshire for her poem 'The Choice'. 

The competition was launched by the libraries service to celebrate National Poetry Day in October. 

The theme of the competition was inspired by the theme of National Poetry Day itself – 'choice', and to enter, participants were asked to create a poem on the theme of choice in 200 words or less. 

The competition was open to adults aged 18 and over living in Derbyshire.

The librarian judges said they enjoyed reading all the entries and were delighted to announce Prue as the winner.

The judging panel also chose the following poems as highly commended – ‘The Sale’ by Arnie Rainbow, ‘Therefore, I am’ by Rebecca Summerscale and ‘CHOICE?’ by Philippa Young.

All the entries will be published in a compendium poetry eBook on the BorrowBox app in the new year.

Councillor Barry Lewis, Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change, said: “This competition has showcased the wonderful local talent that we have here in Derbyshire. I congratulate the winner and all the entrants and hope they enjoy seeing their work being made available to a wider public.”

Prue is being awarded a bottle of Laureate Sherry, donated by the 21st Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, when he visited the new Belper Library in April.

Laureate Sherry has long been a tradition and this unique bottle has a label specially designed by Simon's wife, Sue, and features a drawing of the Marsden Cuckoo.

For more information about the competition, visit: 
https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/events/national-poetry-day-competition/national-poetry-day-competition.aspx

The Choice, by Prue Potiphar 

Massive and menacing, mean and morose, 
He stood between her and the door. 
Terrified, tearful, trembling and tense, 
She gathered some weapons of war

A knife and some scissors, a bottle, a shoe 
This time she would give him what for.
She’d be gutsy and bold with her fears controlled 
Though she knew she had faltered before.

Then she heard a soft voice, “You do have a choice. 
We can help and your thoughts we’ll explore”. 
And she turned to the screen, “What did he mean?” 
And she cranked up the volume some more.

A caller, in tears, on a phone-in on fears 
And the expert went on to say more. 
“Your behaviour is learned, so don’t be concerned. 
I have facts that you cannot ignore.”

“You can unlearn that fear if you just persevere, 
A spider’s your friend furthermore.” 
And he outlined the way spiders help every day 
Ridding houses of insects galore. 
“And the angles and shape of the webs that they drape 
Are a marvel for all to adore.”

And she felt sudden shame, so she chose him a name, 
And she tiptoed round him to the door.

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