To My Writing Partner, by Maggie Cobbett

Together since our urge to write grew strong,
You are the friend on whom I can rely
To read my work and tell me I’m not wrong.
One day it’s bound to catch an agent’s eye.
Then it’s my turn to do the same for you;
To soften your despair as you do mine
When bland rejection slips offer no clue
And pain is soothed with chocolates and wine.
Likewise we celebrate each small success.
Your slogan wins a year’s supply of tea.
My pithy letter in the local press
Earns praise from you; much sweeter than a fee.
Our friendship will endure through space and time,
Unless your novel’s published before mine.

Judging the competition, Alison Chisholm said: An intangible indicator of the success of a poem is its memorability. To My Writing Partner fixed itself firmly in the mind at a first reading, and refused to go away.