[SUBMISSIONS NOW CLOSED] Call for Submission — Magma 77, Act Your Age

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The submissions window for ‘Act Your Age’ is open from 1st November – 31st December 2019.

We welcome poems that have not been previously published, either in print or online.

Up to 4 poems may be sent via Submittable, or by post if you live in the UK. Postal submissions are not acknowledged until a decision is made.

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What is your age? Stop a moment, really think about it. Do you play the part assigned by your age and are you happy with it or are you infuriated by assumptions about age-groups – ‘baby-faced’ ‘rebellious teen’, or ‘cynical’ mid-lifer, ‘sprightly’ elder? Can you fruitfully defy your age, and how do you, how does anyone, go about it? Boldly, slyly, fearfully, joyfully? Or are you comfortable being the age you are?

Send us poems that explore these ideas. Remember, draw on, argue with or reject the poets who have inspired or irritated you – whether it’s William Blake with his Infant Joy, Rimbaud’s rejection of seriousness at 17 (in Novel), Carol Ann Duffy’s Mrs Rip van Winkle welcoming the ‘still deep waters of late middle age’ or Elaine Feinstein’s ‘Getting Older’ – where she tells us ‘The first surprise: I like it’.

Has your culture or community affected how you define your age or how you acted at certain times? Kayo Chingonyi explores what is lost and gained across generations.

—A child who never sloughed off the childish estate
—To cross the river boys of our tribe must cross
—In order to die and come back grown.
———–Kumukanda, from Kumukanda, Kayo Chingonyi (Chatto)

Authority, freedom and conflict can mean different behaviour for different ages, arising from the politics of the time.

—… a child would be forced to line up behind other children to slap their
—teacher in the face as a young Red Guard stood by, watching. Those
—adolescents were crazed colts
———-My Mother’s Fables, from Fleche, Mary Jean Chan (Faber)

Spoken word, page poetry, political poetry, confessional poetry and elegies. How does age play a part in our beliefs on who should be producing these forms and genres? Have the economic situation for young people, life choices for ‘baby boomers’ and the skills of technical ‘whizz kids’ forced them into acting a role?

So, how do you act your age? D A Prince’s children view their reckless parents with alarm.

—The children’s eyes, smudged black with lack of sleep,
—glare disapproval. What time d’you think…?
—they splutter when we stay out late
—breaking the rules again. And in those clothes!
———Responsibilities, from Common Ground, D A Prince (Happenstance)

We, the Editors, span a range of ages! Gboyega says, “I’m excited to read these poems – it will be intriguing to see how people approach the questions of age, and of our age. The opportunity to delve into different mind-sets and realities will be brilliant.” Selina says, “I remember my younger years very clearly and being rather ‘in the middle’ I am intrigued by what the possible coming years may show me.” Christine says, “I’m looking forward to reading poems from many age-groups, and to meeting many attitudes to age. Greater age hasn’t lessened my relish for life, and I live in hopes of the promised deeper wisdom.”

We look forward to reading your poems.

Gboyega Odubanjo, Selina Rodrigues and Christine Webb, Editors, Magma 77

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Wanting to submit to Magma 77? You may submit:

Up to 4 previously unpublished poems in a single Word document.

We are now accepting simultaneous submissions – but please withdraw your submission or contact us if it is accepted for publication somewhere else first.

Go to Submittable for more details.

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