There was a young lady from Wisbech
Who... OK, OK, so no one at BBC Cambridgeshire has a flair for verse! It was lucky then, that through our Voices project in Wisbech North we found two ladies who are bonkers for a bit of rhyming!  | Doris and Dawn get inspiration down at Wisbech port
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Dawn Smith has been writing poetry for years, about her children, her house, her life and even DIY. She was keen to get some expert help in the art... step in Doris Corti - published poet and critic from the town. On a grey day in April the two ladies were challenged to write a poem in just eight hours. They started at 8am in the morning in the Voices studio at the Oasis centre and ended up reading their poems live on Drivetime with Laura Bundock, just after 4 pm. As Ray Clark was presenting his show from the Voices studio that day he asked them to drop in to see how they were getting on.  | Doris and Dawn had a challenging but enjoyable day! |
Doris and Dawn took inspiration from the river and the port, as well as the houses, shops, park and people in the area. The results are below - so enjoy! Life force (Wisbech North) Domesticated now,
the river, still a life force,
throbs with pleasure boats
and ducks meandering in an uncertain paradise,
where elderflower and blackberries grow wild
along the waterside; not far to where houses link, turn window eyes
onto streets where bikes lean haphazardly
against painted doors, and where an area once desolate
will become a garden and a central, quiet place. The river winds its way around the town
and people wind their daily lives around the scheme of things,
children on their way to school
mothers joining companions
in corridors and coffee bars
of the centre that is community and an area that resounds
with children's laughter, and their painted pictures adorn the walls; cherry trees line the roads - the river bends - and turns
around the town, and all life throbs
in Wisbech North. Doris Corti North Ward Wisbech A challenge was set
a poem we should write
and we have to get going
because the deadline is tonight The subject is Wisbech North
the rules are simple and straight
to write the poem
and not to finish late! The children always wonder
where they can play
we can now reassure them
there's a park on its way At the rear of the community house
on a patch of waste ground
in a few weeks time
there - a park will be found And on Lime Avenue
there is an area which
hopefully before too long
there will be a football pitch And for the adults
because they get bored too
they will find
there are also various things to do There is a computer course
at the well used community house
which familiarises people
with a keyboard and mouse A visit to the Oasis Centre
where children's groups play
and where volunteers are welcome
to help organise their day In Wisbech
there are plenty of places to see
and living in North Ward
you will find a friendly community Dawn Smith Find out more about the 'Voices' project in Wisbech » | 
