Selected and Edited by Victoria Kennefick

This book contains the winning and commended poems from the VERVE Poetry Festival 2026 LOVE Poetry competition judged, selected and introduced by Victoria Kennefick.

Featuring poems from winners Debmalya Bandyopadhyay, Laura Theis & Lisette Abrahams

Commended poets: Jill Abram – Sophia Argyris – Liam Bates – Angela Cheveau – Kristina Diprose – KT Dorfman – Suzanna Fitzpatrick – Elizabeth Gibson – Bex Hainsworth – Annie Hayter – Charlotte McDermott – Victoria Richards – Victoria Simons – Sean Swallow – Benjamin Thorne.

AND 6 SELECTED 11-17 YEAROLD POETS: Julianna Jerue – Lily-Rose Lacey – Amber Moore – Isabella Peterson – Muskaan Singh – Nadia Wu – Antonín Procházka – Ani Tadiello – Scarlett Turner – Romana Nuru Wabwire .