Ware Poets Competition

We are delighted to announce the results of the Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition 2026 judged by Keith Jarrett.

We are very grateful to Keith and extend our congratulations to the winning and commended poets. A big thank you also to everyone who submitted poems - there were over a thousand entries, making the judging process challenging. Thank you for helping to keep poetry alive!

Keith Jarrett’s work explores Caribbean British identity, religion and sexuality. A multiple poetry slam champion, he was selected for the International Literary Showcase as one of 10 outstanding LGBT writers in the UK. His poem, ‘From the Log Book’, was projected onto St. Paul’s Cathedral and broadcast as a commemorative installation.His play, Safest Spot in Town, was performed at the Old Vic and aired on BBC Four. Selah,his poetry collection, was published in 2017. Keith teaches at NYU in London, is a Poetry Society trustee, and his second collection Hide Me Under the Blood and I Shall Be Satisfied (Bad Betty)is a Poetry Book Society Spring 2026 Recommendation.