A BRIDPORT schoolgirl who was inspired to write a positive poem during the dark days of lockdown has had her work published in a poetry anthology.

Mabli Jones, nine, a pupil at Bridport Primary School, had her poem ‘Hope’ published in ‘Pandemic Poetry - Words of Hope’ after entering the national Young Writers competition of the same name.

The online writing platform Young Writers challenged children and young people to enter a poem about the pandemic.

The competition was open to children aged 5-18, to create a ‘safe space for young writers to channel their worries about the future into a positive creative outlet.’

Mabli’s mum Anna said: “She has always loved writing and finds it a way to express her feelings and thoughts, this was particularly important to her during lockdown.

“Mabli is really excited and so proud of herself, she adores reading, creative writing, drawing and climbing – she’s a big tree climber.”

Mabli wrote ‘Hope’ when she was 8 years old during a period of isolation due to the pandemic and she wanted to encourage other young people to get writing.

The poem focuses on her feelings towards the pandemic and allowed her to share them, she then edited it when she heard about the competition.

Anna said: “It empowered her to share her thoughts and feelings and connect with other young writers.

“Mabli said wouldn’t it be great for other young people in Bridport who feel the same way to read it.”

Young Writers was established in 1991 and runs writing competitions throughout the academic year for nurseries, primary and secondary schools.

Hope - by Mabli Jones

I feel that COVID has no end,

It stretches into the world’s bleakest future,

I am shrouded in the darkness of it,

I can’t escape this nightmare,

I wish this will end soon,

And I can run again through the fields,

Into the light of freedom,

And as my eyes fill with tears I shout to the sky,

“And that is what I think of hope.”

I climb into bed and close my weary eyes,

Hoping that tomorrow will dawn a better day,

With better hopes and better dreams,

A day where wishes could come true,

Maybe just maybe MY wish will come true.