This months winner was chosen by Anthony Emmerson. He says he chose it "for its heartfelt and moving treatment of tragedy, and for finding bittersweet humour in such circumstances."

Find out more about Rachel at http://www.writeoutloud.net/poets/rachelmcgladdery

Dad

Rolling in one night on sea legs
made entirely from White Lightning,
He bowled up at mine and fell in through the door.

I helped him up and sat him down
and once propped upon a chair with a cup of tea he told me he had AIDS.
"Oh Dad" I said and went to hug him.
He held his hand out like a nicotine stained starfish.

" you don't have to bleach the cup"

I held him sadly as he sobbed into my shoulder,

"Don't treat me like a leopard"