A POETRY ANTHOLOGYCollated by Words Count in North LincolnshireA POETRY ANTHOLOGYIn 2017 Ian McMillan –professional poet, journalist,playwright and broadcaster made a special visit toNorth Lincolnshire. During this visit he wrote a poemabout North Lincolnshire called 'Open the Book'.In recognition of his gift to North Lincolnshire, weinvited people to take part in the Sense of Place poetrycompetition. We had an overwhelming response,recieving an array of incredible poems that trulycelebrate the best of North Lincolnshire.Here is a collection of our winners poems. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we do.2Contents3Ian McMillanOpen the Book 4Leanne GaziThe Place I Call Home 5Joseph StanfieldA Poem About North Lincolnshire 7Olivia KellyThe Past of Crowle Moors 9Tony BallUntitled 10Lily OdlinLincolnshire Through the Seasons 12Isaac SidawayWaters’ Edge 14Catriona HallowayA Place To Be 15Daisy WilliamsonWooden Duchess 16Evelyn NelsonMy Life in Lincolnshire 17Alfie BorrillThe New Park 18Briony DrewSteel and Snow 194Open the Book© Ian McMillanA full page as wide as a Lincolnshire skyWith birds flying through it; flocks of wordsThat settle in sentences and catch your eyeWith images deep as a Lincolnshire sky.A story as old as a Lincolnshire trackWith tales walking down it; word-built trailsThat carry you someplace, then bring you backWith memories long as a Lincolnshire track.Open the book now and let’s all take flightOn reading’s strong wings to the narrative’s edge;You soar with the paragraphs into the nightYou don’t need a torch: a book is its own light.A volume as vital as Lincolnshire air:Breathe it all in and just read; yes, indeedReading can transport you from here to thereAnd flow through your life like the Lincolnshire air.5The Place I Call HomeThe place I call homePeople often groanThere's nothing to do here; nothing to seeIf they open their eyesThere's a world of possibilityLook past the rigid steel exteriorAnd search for the beauty insideBehind the smoke and chimney'sRabbits run wild and birds take flightFoxes roam on through the nightThe fields, the woodlandsWatch the deer run freeAcross the fairway into the treesA whole world of wonderment and natureJust waiting to be seenKingsway, Twigmoor and Ashby VilleNormanby Park and Alkborough’s maze on the hillTake a walk down the mud tracksFeel the leaves beneath your feetLook up, look downLet your eyes wander aroundThis is North LincolnshireAnd this is where we startLeanne Gaziaged 30Local music shows passionWith homegrown lyricsThe crowds chant a chorusThe echo around the room; the atmosphereTheir music was made hereMaybe in a kitchenOr out back in a shedThe ideas, the knowledgeNorth Lincs brought inspiration to somebody's headThe good people do hereEven the people on tourLights and laughs in The Baths HallThe memories held in its old wallsTo the new auditorium that will bring even moreThis is North LincsAnd this is where I growMaybe I’ll stay hereIt’s the place I call home67A Poem About North LincolnshireThis is the place, we live right here,In the jolly old county of North Lincolnshire,Breath in the air, take in the sights,As I name the many attractions, day until night,So I’ll start with the boss, it’s a great privilege,To tell you... of the mighty Humber Bridge!As you drive along its stretch, it holds you up,On duty all day, it never really stops,It used to be the biggest, the biggest of its kind,Standing on its structure, oh the beauty you will find,As you gaze upon this giant, your legs will start to shiver,As you suddenly look down, and see the Humber River!All this and more, everything right here,In the jolly old county of North Lincolnshire,So you fancy a stroll, no need to remark,When you have the many acres of Normanby Park!Long walks and trails, ponds all so near,And if you’re really, really lucky you might just find some deer!8Joseph Stanfieldaged 13There’s also a park, hence why the name,So your children can adventure, its truly insane!This is just a fraction, of the places right here,In the jolly old county of North Lincolnshire!So I’ll tell you one more, my favourite by far,It’s a place where nature lurks, so I’ll finish my bar,To hear the birds tweeting, oh look a water vole,They’re simply so cute, they warm my very soul,And there’s cameras all around, planted on a ledge,They film animal’s lives, it has the name of WATERS EDGE!So if you love nature, then this place is for you,Migration, pollination, plus a sweet café too!So these places I named, are ALL right here,In the jolly old county of North Lincolnshire!9The Past of Crowle MoorsI walk into the tranquil placeBranches in the way, like an obstacle race,The streams trickle down underground,The place is empty no-one around,The eerie trees sway in the wind, The animals all free and undisciplined, All birds in flocks carried gently by the sky,Very few people walk by.The mud wet and mushy as if it were quicksand, All litter, waste, and rubbish banned,Peat trenches from a forgotten past,Wooden fences that will not last,Time stood still but moving on,Summer days will soon be gone,The bucolic view electric thoughts.Olivia Kellyaged 11Next >