This year’s Forward Prize for poetry attracted more than 11,000 entries. It has been, say the judges, an excellent year for poetry. “The judges add that several long-established poets on the £5,000 best collection shortlist are “producing work that was not just the best in the year, but the best work of their poetic careers”. They single out the poet and librettist David Harsent, 63, and Alan Jenkins, 55, the deputy editor of the Times Literary Supplement.”