Entrants to the Great British Summer poetry competition, in association with Touchwood, have been pouring in this week from our lyrical readers. Here are this weeks top two poets from the Under 16 and 0ver 16 categories. Under 16s Natasha Curran, aged 10. Winter’s gone, so has cold. Just wait and see what the summer will hold. Happiness and laughter and joy too, loads of fun for me and you. Splashing about until the day ends, water guns at the ready soaking my friends. We are all wet lying on the ground, Not a peep, not even a sound. No more time to spend, the day has come to an end. Over 16s A Country Walk in Summer – By Doreen Gardner Skies so blue, clear, summer is here after winter’s long promise Cross the field in the early morn, skylark soaring high. Down to the mill bridge, bricks warmed by the sun. A chance breeze rustles the reeds, meadow sweet trails the scented air. Wander along a winding stream, chirpy ducks, fluffy chicks nestle near. Hear church bells ring, watch the white wedding Happy summer bride, in a halo shining Enter a wooded glade touch the gnarled oak a hundred years cool Breath deep the pink honeysuckle and rose. Climb the green bank, blood poppies nod their dainty heads Taste the wild strawberries sun ripe ready to pick. Too soon fading sun throws shadows o’er the ripe corn Its last rays draw fragrance from the warm earth Sunset sends our footsteps slowly wending home Memories to keep of a country walk in summer. | 
