- Collected
- Article
On the legacy of words: three new anniversary poems by RLF writers
- 2 October, 2025
- Mark Blayney
- Garry MacKenzie
- Maggie Harris
Earlier this year, the Royal Literary Fund celebrated 235 years of supporting writers. For more than two centuries the RLF’s range of programmes and grants has enabled many thousands of writers from all genres to sustain themselves and thrive, even when times are hard.
So today, to mark National Poetry Day, we asked three poets – Mark Blayney, Garry MacKenzie and Maggie Harris (pictured above, l-r) – to capture their own reflections on the legacy and continued power of words and stories. You can read their poems below, and listen to them read their work by following the RLF on Instagram.
Hear Mark read his poem and watch the animated video here.
Hear Garry read his poem and watch the animated video here.
Hear Maggie read her poem and watch the animated video here.
You might also like:
70 fascinating facts you might not know about the Royal Literary Fund
To celebrate our 235th birthday on 18th May, we’ve put together a selection of fascinating facts about the RLF from…
The Life and Times of Reverend David Williams
A recent RLF grant beneficiary takes a deep dive into the background of a fellow Welshman and minister who founded…
Living by her pen: how the forgotten Gothic writer Regina Maria Roche’s legacy lives on
On International Women’s Day, Samiha Begum reveals the history and influence of this forgotten Gothic writer.