Congratulations to WWC member Heather Cook, who was shortlisted in the poetry section of the national King Lear Prizes competition – the national creative arts competition for over-65s. Heather’s poignant and perceptive poem ‘Just The Same’ was one of six shortlisted in the Experienced Amateur category. She also had another poem highly commended in the same competition, titled ‘When Birds Stop Singing’.

JUST THE SAME

Secure within the boundaries of her vows,

she stirs her coffee, nibbles at a cake.

‘It’s different now. You have your life, your house,

you don’t need love as well, for heaven’s sake!’

Could she be right? I waited up last night

to hear his voice, then couldn’t sleep a wink,

arriving late at work – a sorry sight –

too old, too tired, and too in love to think.

Just weeks ago I knew it all and mocked

those youthful passions, adolescent schemes;

today, I hardly know my name. The clock

turns minutes into hours, meetings into dreams.

Love’s always been a fiendish, foolish game

and now at sixty-eight it’s just the same.

Heather Cook