The Downs by Cathy Keal

Cathy loves the sights and sounds on the Bristol Downs

THE DOWNS by Cathy Keal Bristol, I've loved a lot of Dogs in my life, a sad excuse to get away and dream. In the middle of the Downs, you rush to mind. Bristol, you with your open space, your theatre of light. Your poet's heart, art on feet on hillsides. You with your river reed skies, and sun kissed chestnut trees. The bees, the ritual calling of the breeze as the kite flies.

This summer, BBC Bristol is celebrating poetry and the people who write it.

We're asking you to vote in the BBC's quest to find the nation's favourite poem - and hearing from local people who like to write poetry.

Vote for your favourite poet

Cathy Keal was inspired by the fields by Durdham Downs when writing her poem.

She says she also loves other parts of Bristol, particularly the kites and balloons flying in the sky above the Downs.

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Can you pen a poem on the theme of summer? If so, we'd like to hear from you.

Email us up to 10 lines by 1 September 2009 - we'll be publishing a selection here and reading some out on the radio.

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