For Competition 3460 you were invited to write a sonnet beginning ‘Shall I compare thee to a [trisyllable of your choice]’.
This challenge, which called for a twist on Sonnet 18, produced objects of comparison that ranged far and wide from bacon rolls to a simile. It was a popular competition, eliciting stellar performances all round; I was sorry not to have space for Helene Parry, David Silverman and Paul Freeman.
The seven best are printed below and earn their authors a £25 John Lewis voucher apiece.
Shall I compare thee to a tennis ball?
I’m moved betimes to give thee quite a whack
