Back in the haze of forgotten time, when sea monsters were the most worrying thing to contaminate the oceans, a wide and yet also wild-eyed traveller braved the stormy tides and ventured to foreign lands, making friends with the people, before obviously stealing their treasures.
(Wives, children, liberty)
One such hardy thief, marauding by the name of “Wee” Willie Barrow, snuck away from parts distant with a box that came with a legend attached that would ultimately make or ruin lives over the centuries that followed.
For McBarrow’s box was a magical trove that could change the life of all who opened it, with how it did that depending upon whether they were true of heart.
For the good would find the joy of Inner Growth as their knowledge and wisdom became boundless, whilst the less so would be driven mad by a Mindless Exhilaration, of burning energy but ultimately a frustration beyond description.
Or so the legend said.
This challenge then is for you to find the truth, look into the box, either as yourself or on Wee Willie’s behalf and write a poem that outlines what was learned.
For the first time ever, I’ll ask that the poem Rhymes with extra marks if it can be performed as a sea shanty.
No really, it has been that kind of year.
To be clear:
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- Write a Poem that tells the truth behind what you imagine you – or Wee Willie – would find out about yourself on opening the Box.
- Produce a poem that rhymes.
Rules:
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- There are no length constraints
- You must be a Cult Member to submit your poem – sending it to competition@hedgehogpress.co.uk
- Send the poem by 11.59pm on the 30th of September 2025