The following poem by Mandar R. Mutalikdesai from Bengaluru was selected as a commendable mention in Wingword Poetry Prize 2020
A lamb out to play
Among un-eyed faces
A lamb made to pay
Just so it can play.
A lamb about to pay.
The play, acceptance
The pay, toffees.
The play, the lamb
The pay, the lamb.
The toss of a coin
The fate of the lamb
Head: a punch
Tail: a stab.
A lamb out to play
A lamb about to pay
The lamb, the gamble
Terror, the outcome
An angst, a wedding
A tremor, the bride.
A lamb out to play
A lamb again to pay
For a game of ball.
The ground, an abyss
Endless, the fall
To the faces, an appeal
An appeal they see
An appeal they un-see.
A throw, the play
An eye, the pay.
A lamb out to play
A lamb about to pay
The lamb, the ride
Emptiness, the park
Bloodied without a trace
Not a touch of steel.
A lamb, played in full.
A lamb, paid in full.