First of all, a big round of applause to everyone who submitted a piece of poetry to Clarion Free Library’s Poetry Contest! It takes courage to share some of your deepest thoughts with the world. I am sure it was a tough decision to make deciding the winners, and I am very thankful that I did not have to make it. I left that to poet, Tabassam Shah. Tabassam Shah has two books of poetry published that are available on Amazon.
Winners:
Best Haiku:
Sleight Of Hand by: Ethan Roberts
White gloves pulling strings
It’s prestidigitation
Lies spoke of all things
Best Free Verse:
The Day She Died by Leanne Wentling
It started as a normal day-
Laughing and Crying like we always had
But something changed that day
It was when she died inside
I’m not sure what it was
Maybe that you hurt her
Or the pain of watching that
But whatever it was–
It killed her deep down inside
My life stopped right there
As that little girl everyone knew and loved
Just disappeared into thin air
She had bruises and scars-
That people could not see
But she had them mentally
She was drained to the point
That she couldn’t walk
From bottom to top
She was lost
The thought of losing her
Not having her in this world
It hit differently to the point
I could break down and bawl
Soon enough there she was
Floating away in the air
Still smiling and laughing–
As she should be
Without this much to spare
Best Blackout Poems:
HONORABLE MENTION:
As the mask falls off
You stare in shock
But not for a while
As there is a knife in your smile
You see that it is them
The one that took
You see that it is them
Until you can no longer look
You hear the lock
As the gun cocks
You hear the scream
Till you can no longer breathe
You hear the lock
When they start to laugh
You hear the lock
When they grab the gas
You then start to realize
Life is no more
You then start to realize
As they open the door
Other Poetry Submissions for April 2023:
Spring: Haiku by Alicyn Burford
Trees blow in the wind
Rain is falling to the ground
Children play outside
by Landon Martin
I’m Spider-Man by Martin Ormeno
I soar through the air as I shoot webs from my hands.
When people see me, they say there goes Spider-man.
A few years ago I was bitten by a radioactive spider.
After my uncle was murdered, I became a crimefighter.
My spider sense tingles and I can sense danger.
When I brought in my uncle’s killer, I was full of anger.
I have spider strength and I can climb walls.
When I battle villains, I defeat them all.
I fight the Green Goblin, Doc Ock and other villains too.
It’s what we superheroes have sworn to do.
Because of my contribution, the police just arrested the Kingpin.
Villains constantly try to defeat me but they never win.
Sunsets: Haiku by Alicyn Burford
The sky is orange
It’s beautiful and pretty
They show Earth’s beauty
by Lila Gourley
The overwhelming crowd
You step up to the line
Ignoring everyone around
Waiting for the refs whistle
Signaling you to go
You serve the ball
And sprint back on
Waiting for the chance to hit
The ball comes back
I’m ready to swing
The set comes
You spike it down
As you know it
You’ve won the game.
by Maggie Snodgrass
Waterfalls: Haiku by Alicyn Burford
A lot of water
Flowing down with great beauty
With power and fear
When you left by Elizabeth Estadt
You left unannounced on an October day
No short notice to any one
But I was there when you went on your way.
Where you were going I have not a clue.
But I hope you have made it
As I will one day too.
There where others before you
And more yet to come
My grandma your wife, left not long after
2 years December 3rd.
One day after I came to this world
1 month later my father’s mom said goodbye
We were going to tell her husband and son,
But they had left long agone
So when I say goodbye as I one day will
I will not leave you
I’ll stand by your side
Because they did too.
by Brian Ahn
Pain: Haiku by Alicyn Burford
Pain will come and go
But something inside of you
Will always feel hurt
by Christopher Kim
by Ashlyn Beers
Sun: Haiku by Alicyn Burford
The sun gives us warmth
But it can also hurt us
Good things can turn bad
by Carson Bills
Had power yet thy beauty conquered.
Dear Juliet, I will
Never depart again.
Here’s to my love,
Thus with a kiss I die.
Daydream by Onix Barrett
I dream about flying in storms
And running from fire.
Jumping across rooftops
And climbing through trees.
Then I’m woken up
from my absent mind,
by my broken skin
And blood stained nails.
I’m startled by the scene.
Then I go back
Now I’m swimming in the ocean
And climbing wet ivy walls.
by Addison McGuirk
Time: Haiku by Alicyn Burford
Future is unknown
The past is already gone
So focus on now
Run I say
by Thayden Troese
