Hope>Optimism Elias Daryani Max Wellman

D G EON PRI Z E FOR LIT E R WINNER P I Elias Daryani A T H E T HOPE > OPTIMISM U RE 2 0 2 1

The Pidgeon Prize for Literature, celebrating excellence in creative writing at Caterham School, has been awarded to Elias Daryani for his poem ‘Hope>Optimism’. Elias’ poem was chosen from all the poetry submitted to this year’s Cat Among the Pigeons. He is also deserving of this prize in wider recognition of the inspiring poetry he has created beyond the covers of this magazine. Elias’ poetry combines the tightly wrought metre and rhyming patterns of the slam poet with simple, direct themes that unite us all. His compassion and curiosity for the world in which he writes is manifest in the humanity of his poetic voice. The energy and positivity created while reading and listening to him voicing his poetry, is a true tonic in a year turned inside out by the global pandemic. His exploration of ‘hope’ and ‘optimism’ is presented via an oscillating journey, which epitomises our experience of ‘hope’ - our necessary companion - during the challenging climate of Covid-19. Notably, the quick tempo in the opening stanza is apt considering the fleeting role ‘optimism’ plays here, perhaps even as a betrayer. The rhetorical questions further hurtle us into uncertainty, which offers a new lens on what is optimal - that being the more constant ally, HOPE. The isolated volta restores a sense of faithfulness, which is furthered by the cadence and beat-like style, creating an uplifting tone, reflective of the poem’s preference to ‘hope’.

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Elias Daryani Max Wellman

Optimism? Where do you run to when I need you most? Mutate to pessimism And leave me all alone Demons in my mind intoxicate my thoughts Trials and tribulations have me feeling out-fought.

You promise me happiness But never come through Fill me with emptiness Dreams and false realities Don’t believe in my fantasies And leave me feeling blue.

But, Then a light shines through Her name is hope She makes my dreams feel true, She helps me see light despite the darkness And gives me heart when the world is heartless. In return, She requires trust and faith But that’s easy to give when she sees me as deserving of praise

And so, When life is steep, I ride the slope When life is callous, I climb the rope When life is hard, I still cope Where there is life, there is hope