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VERVE Poetry & Spoken Word Festival 2025 – Audience Feedback Form Thank you for attending VERVE Poetry & Spoken Word Festival 2025! Your presence, energy, and engagement help make the festival what it is—a vibrant celebration of poetry and spoken word. We are always striving to create an inspiring and inclusive festival experience, and your feedback is essential in helping us improve. This short survey (5-10 minutes) will help us understand your experience at VERVE, from the quality of events and venues to the sense of community, inclusivity, and the festival’s cultural and creative impact. Your thoughts will shape the future of VERVE, ensuring it continues to be a welcoming and exciting space for poets and audiences alike. Thank you for your time and support! (For audience members) Overall Experience How would you rate your overall experience at VERVE Poetry & Spoken Word Festival?* (1 = Poor, 5 = Excellent) How many events did you attend? * 1-3 3-6 7-10 10+ What was your primary reason for attending? * (To see a specific poet, general love of poetry, networking, curiosity, etc.) Event & Venue Quality How would you rate the quality of the event(s) you attended? * (1 = Poor, 5 = Excellent) Further comments How would you rate the venue?* (1 = Poor, 5 = Excellent) Further comments Did you feel the venue was accessible and welcoming?* Yes No Somewhat Please elaborate. Community & Inclusivity Did you feel a strong sense of community at the festival?* 1 = Not at all, 5 = Extremely well) Further comments Did you feel the festival was inclusive and representative of diverse voices? * Yes No Please elaborate Did the festival introduce you to new poets, styles, or perspectives? Yes No If yes, please describe* Creative & Cultural Impact Did the festival inspire or influence you creatively?* Yes No If yes, how? Has attending VERVE made you more likely to engage with poetry/spoken word in the future?* Yes No Somewhat If yes, please provide insight. Do you think VERVE contributes positively to the cultural landscape of Birmingham and the wider poetry scene? Yes No If yes, how? Feedback for Future Festivals What was your favourite event at the festival?* What did you dislike or think could be improved?* What would you like to see more of in future editions of VERVE? (Types of events, themes, collaborations, etc.)* (Types of events, themes, collaborations, etc.) Do you have any final thoughts or suggestions?* Next

The winning May poem Vision and Flame by Katie Colombus for VERVE Poetry Festival's monthly poetry competition, Poem of the Month. £100 for winning poem! Katie Colombus SHORTLIST Viva, James Spencer – James Spencer Witness – Aeman Abbasi I Don't Want to Be a 24 Hour Petrol Station – Syd Meats Girl Who Refused to Die – Chisom Okoronkwo Arguments with the Moon – Angela Cheveau READ ALL SHORTLISTED ON OUR SUBSTACK

The winning May poem My Daughter Moves Home by Nia Broomhall for VERVE Poetry Festival's monthly poetry competition, Poem of the Month. £100 for winning poem! Nia Broomhall My Daughter Moves Home and she falls on the bed like dust. I feed her floor polish for a week, smoothed thick on toast. By Monday, she smells like butter and oranges again. Tuesday, her toes and brown eyes are warm. She moves in slow circles across the kitchen on Wednesday as she reaches for a spoon. By Thursday her dark hair is glowing softly, and Friday afternoon winks like walnut in a square of sun. On Saturday she skates in socks down the hallway, her laugh and arms outstretched, breathing beeswax and cedar. Sunday morning, she puts on her coat, lipgloss, and steps out of the varnished front door, the world so bright I can see my face in her. SHORTLIST We Have No Choice But To Be by Jack Houston Sunny Side Heart by Eve Xin when the same word can mean survive & alive by Mary Mulholland They steal the elections, you and I are still in love by Soledad Santana day in the life of by Jack Emsden READ ALL SHORTLISTED ON OUR SUBSTACK

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