Poetry Half Marathon June 2026

Below are every poem written by Emma Major, one an hour, every hour of the half poetry marathon 2026.

This is the second year I've taken on the half marathon without complete exhaustion, perhaps next year I'll try the full marathon.

Hour 1 - Memories of Keys

You jingle jangle

Oh the places you have been

Memories remain

Memories remain

Homes both present and before

Safely locked within

Safely locked within

On cold nights by open fires

Together safely

Together safely

We drove for miles and miles

Exploring the world

Exploring the world

Unlocked opportunities

Opened at your touch

Opened at your touch

Every heart longs to connect

You jingle jangle

...

Hour 2 - Precise Wonder

Oh tiny drop of dew

Atop the leaf of green

Your perfection shines anew

Though most remain unseen

Wings of butterflies

In patterns bright and bold

Flutter dancing by

Their stories yet untold

Perfect little seeds

Held tightly in the soil

Fulfil their natural aim

To carefully uncoil

Nature's miniscule details

Above the ground or under

An invite to read their tales

Giving thanks in precise wonder

…

Hour 3 - Out of this World

I can't remember ever hearing such silence

It's a heaviness on my chest

Restricting my breathing

Pressing me down into the bed

Is it a bed?

What is this?

It is too soft

Too light

Too something

Though I’m not quite sure what

Is it floating?

Wait a minute

It’s too dark

Are my eyes shut?

Is it the middle of the night?

Am I dreaming

Yes that might explain it

This is a strange dream

Something out of this world

I’ll just go with the flow

Hope that it’s a happy dream

Not a nightmare or a fever dream

It’s a bit boring, if I’m honest

Heavy silence

Heavy darkness

Light bed

Whoa, what’s that light

It is far too bright

My eyes can’t shut it out

I want to shout

But again, silence

It almost feels like violence

Come on, wake up

Wake up!

What did I do yesterday?

Or was it today?

I was flying away

Somewhere

No idea where

But somewhere

And it wasn’t yesterday

It was many years away

I was meant to be sleeping away the years

So does that mean we’re here?

Wherever here is

But surely there would be an electronic fizz

You know, that buzz of electrics

But there’s still nothing

Just this heavy silence

And the extremes of darkness and brightness

Heaviness and lightness

I didn't sign up for this

It’s not worth the pennies they promised

But I mustn’t panic

It’s probably a dream anyway

Yes let’s assume it’s a dream

Out of this world

…

Hour 4 - Journey with Me

Come journey where Oak tree roots take hold

Deep in the earth on a dark, silent quest

We'll trace many stories of strength yet untold

Watching ants and worms, busy with their nests

Then upward we'll climb, through bark rough and grand

Where beetles scurry past, busy with their toil

Squirrels dart past with nuts in their hand

Valuable hoard to be buried in the soil

Following branches where leaves gently sway

A robin redbreast sings, his notes soaring high

Owls fresh from sleep, awaiting close of day

Their piercing gaze, surveying evening sky

On this journey, fresh knowledge we acquire

Until, at the oak’s canopy, we journey no higher

.

You are invited to journey

Through an old oak tree

From deep where roots feed

To the soaring canopy

We will camp in the middle

It's the best for safety

We will gaze at the stars

And dream of being free

…

Hour 5 - Horsing Around

How I wish I was horsing around

Stamping my fears into the ground

Dancing to all the natural sounds

Rearing slightly at moving mounds

Even if all I had found

Was a friendly hound

Happily crowned

And royally gowned

Going round and round

At least I'd be unwound

…

Hour 6 - Slow Down

Slow down and notice

Smell the roses and lilies

Listen to bird song

Take time in nature's beauty

There you'll find yourself again

…

Hour 7 - Exploring Caves

By the light of the full moon

We took our first tentative steps

Exhaling our fears

Past the imagined impass

The chipped and battered slope

Nearly scuppered access to the bat cave

But with satchels full of supplies

We entered where others had feared to tread

Use 5 of these words: Bat, Impass, Moon, Curio, Dumpling, Willow, Satchel, Sweet, Exhale, Chip

…

Hour 8 - Ode to my Wheelchair

My wheels, my friend, so strong and true

You help me travel the world anew

With every charge, adventures start

Be still my ever beating heart.

Through sunny days and rainy skies

You only stop when access lies

Your sturdy seat and steady glide

Always holds my round backside

You let me roam, you let me play

You brighten up my every day

Though mountains have paths way too steep

Partnered with you, travel plans I keep

Oh powerful steed, my trusty friend

Our adventures will never end

You give me freedom, make me bold

Allowing my story to still unfold

…

Hour 9 - Pineapple

Unfolded pineapple

You turn my life upside down

Every spike embedded into my soul

As I drip sweet tears upon the floor

And strangers knock at the door

Unnervingly

…

Hour 10 - Spoons*

It doesn't seem to matter

How many more drawers I build

I seem to lose spoons

Faster than I can replace them

Do they fall through the cracks?

Melt in the hot wash?

Get stolen, turn into forks or go walking?

I don't know why

All I do know is that spoons are in very low supply!

*Spoons - measure of energy used as an analogy by people living with chronic illness and fatigue.

…

Hour 11 - Me

I am only me

One person amongst people

Surviving each day

…

Hour 12 - to whom it may concern

I doubt myself continuously

Every day

Not in a small way

But in just about every element and activity

It's been like that forever

The negative self talk

The questioning and reexamining

The marking and doubting and self degrading

It's like a match between myself and myself

Which will win?

The only truth is that I will lose

And yet I choose

To keep trying

Keep creating

Keep living and loving

Cheered on by those who love me louder

Than the inside doubter