Writes Kate Shockley, Second in English
In celebration of National Poetry Day 2025, the English Department held their annual Merchant Taylors’ Poetry Competition. Hundreds of boys, from the Thirds to the Upper Sixth, entered and gathered together last Thursday for a poetry reading and the announcement of winners.
The theme this year? Something that links cricket and Monopoly, Shakespeare and Friday Night Lights, paper planes and homophone games: Play. This theme inspired a rich and varied collection of poems, showcasing creativity, wit and insight across the year groups.
We hope you enjoy them as much as we have.
Lower School
Runner-up: Alexander B. (4ths)
Runner-up: Patrick H. (4ths)
Winner: Zakary Y. (4ths)
Middle School
Highly Commended: Vedansh G. (Divisions)
Runner-up: Adam S. (5ths)
Runner-up: Viraaj V. (Divisions)
Winner: Shaurjesh B. (Divisions)
Upper School
Runner-up: Zach K. (L6)
Runner-up: Theo H. (U6)
Winner: Edward G. (U6)
Commended Poems:
‘Poker Face’ by Eashan S. (Divisions)
‘Play – Friday Night Lights’ by Tomasso C. (Thirds)
‘The Game’ by Yuvan N. (Divisions)
‘Shakespearean Times’ by Rohan N. (Divisions)
‘How the Strings Sing’ by Devin S. (5ths)
???? by Markus F. (Divisions)
‘Playing Parts’ by George R. (5ths)
‘The Bat’s Bruises’ by Aman B. (Divisions)
The Sad Playtime – a True Story by Eissa Z. (Thirds)
‘Play (The Greek Theatre)’ by Albie L. (Thirds)
‘Ode to Play’ by Aditya H. (Divisions)
‘Ethereal Chambers’ by James C. (5ths)
‘Flying to Space’ by Henry I. (Thirds)
‘Play’ by Oscar K. (Thirds)
