Suffolk University art student Danielle Newman has won the SNAP writing prize for her poem about Ipswich Waterfront, entitled The Froth.

Ipswich Star: University of Suffolk student Danni Newman, an artist and writer, who has won the SNAP Prize for writing with her poem The Froth.University of Suffolk student Danni Newman, an artist and writer, who has won the SNAP Prize for writing with her poem The Froth. (Image: Archant)

An artist studying for a master’s degree at the University of Suffolk has won the SNAP writing prize for literature 2017 for a poem she wrote about the Waterfront in Ipswich.

The Student New Angle Prize is awarded annually and Danielle Newman, originally from London, will receive the award this week at the Ipswich Institute.

Danni, 24, is not on a writing or English course at the university, but is studying for her master’s in Fine Arts.

Her prize-winning poem, entitled The Froth, is about her experiences in the town, at university, and living close to the Waterfront.

Ipswich Star: This piece of art by Danni Newman deals with the subject of drug taking in Ipswich.This piece of art by Danni Newman deals with the subject of drug taking in Ipswich. (Image: Archant)

She said: “I’m from London which is such a vast place and it can often feel like living in a sea of strangers. The Waterfront feels like the community heart of Ipswich, where people know the town, the roads and each other. I wanted to write a poem that captured the essence of community in Ipswich.”

Danni says the award has inspired her to continue to develop her writing.

She said: “I have always loved to write, and won some prizes as a schoolgirl. I am a sporadic artist and writer.

“It is more of a hobby, but if I am inspired I can work really quickly.”

Her prize-winning poem, entitled The Froth, comes from her heart and is about her experiences in Ipswich, at university, and living close to the Waterfront.

She added: “My poem is about the people around Ipswich.

She said: “I was inspired to enter because I felt I had something to say which answered the brief. I only ever write something if I feel it or have some experience of it.

“I’ve been in Ipswich studying now for five years and have walked along the Waterfront hundreds of times and at all different times of night and day. I’ve seen every kind of person along there, people of different ages and classes mingling together - I’ve seen lonely people, groups of teenagers, parties, the police.

“I’m from London which is such a vast place and it can often feel like living in a sea of strangers. The Waterfront feels like the community heart of Ipswich, where people know the town, the roads and each other. I wanted to write a poem that captured the essence of community in Ipswich.”

The Froth by Danielle Newman

Sailor spit dives into grooves

The rotting wood split like

Concrete splits the river

That kisses the waters front

Creaking metal binds

Bent planks and chains

Glass of all hues

Reaching up, bearing the brunt

Of rainy skies and froth

Kissing the lips of

A weary bay

Sheared by salty tide, empty

Like the long spaces

Between homelessness

And glittering lights

Of a hundred moneymakers freely

Walking amongst gull-chatter

A waning moon to

The rowdy running

Of water down stony blocks

Vacant and crumbling

A whisper of want

Whistling around masts

Fading, rising, rocking the dock

Affixed to sterling notes

Bobbing predators sleeping

Tapping against shells

Dead, scattered like gold

Catching light and beaks

The peeling of nature

Weathering beneath

Rubber and metal old

Slacking rope, rusty stands

Barricades guiding machines

Someone sitting smoking

Fifty shadows still and alone

Deep scents ghosting

Crinkled blue-black

A car’s headlights

Glowering down upon

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