Writing

April is National Poetry Month

2010 Poetry Contest

2009 Poetry Contest

Congratulations to the 2009 Poetry Contest Winners!

1st Place and $100.00

Untitled

By Chelsea Early

the sun is hot
the grass is cool
on my feet as I walk
as I stroll along the water's edge
the lake sparkling
as the sun's rays tickle it
it's a beautiful thing
like a child at play
it giggles
and I laugh
we go hand in hand
I jump in
it bites at first
but then it's relaxing
I close my eyes
and dive into a whole new world
my friends below are scared at first
but soon they go on their way
and I expore
sand below and the sun's rays above
I want to see more
but the rays are turning to a silky pink-orange
I climb out dripping a smile on my face
knowing the sun's rays will return tomorrow
I say goodby to my friends
and leave the lake

2nd Place

An affair with Summer

by Wanda Reddick

An Affair With Summer
Hello there, Summer.
Come closer if you dare.You hot and steamy temptress
With roses in your hair.
You make me think of cooling breeze -
Lemonade and shady trees . . .
. . . sunshine everywhere.
Hello there, Summer.
Come, let me touch your face.
You tanned and tawny teaser
All dressed in Queen Anne's lace.
I dreamed of you last January
When earth was frozen and contrary .. .
. . . snow drifts everyplace.
Hello there, Summer.
Come walk with me at dawning.
You clover-scented maiden -
Drink in the August morning.
The dew is glistening on the grass.
The pine trees whisper as we pass . .
. . the blue jay calls a warning.
Hello there, Summer.
Come, seduce me with your eyes.
You nymph in witch's garments -
You magician in disguise.
You lure me back to childhood play;
Lying in the golden hay . .
. . .catching fireflies.
Hell there, Summer.
Come, whisper your farewell.
You sunny-haired siren -
Release me from your spell.
It will crush my heart to see you go,
But Autumn's voice is calling low . .
. . .like the tolling of a bell.
Goodbye, my sweet Summer.
Come, one last kiss we'll share -
You Indian-summer princess,
With red leaves in your hair.
Our parting brings a bitter tear,
But we will meet again next year . .
. . I promise, I'll be there!

3rd Place

No Feeling Like It by Chelsea Early

Honorable Mentions:

Swoon Moon by John Tsikalas

So It Begins by Michael Dodson

Thank you POETS!!! We had 73 entries this year!!! Last year we had 41!!

Support the Arts!!!

Missouri Poets

T. S. Eliot

Raised in St. Louis, T. S. Eliot authored The Waste Land, considered by many as the most influential poetic work of the 20th century. In 1948, he received the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou, an author, poet, producer, playwright, and civil rights activist, was born in St. Louis. She is best known for her autobiographies, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which was nominated for the National Book Award.

Carl Phillips

Carl Phillips' many awards include the Theodore Roethke Memorial Foundation Poetry Prize and the Thom Gunn Award for Gay Male Poetry. He was elected a chancellor of the Academy in 2006, and is a Professor of English at Washington University in St. Louis.

Other Missouri Poets

David Clewell
Eugene Field
Donald Finkel
H. L. Hix
Langston Hughes
Marianne Moore
Howard Nemerov
Naomi Shihab Nye

Kevin Prufer
Sherod Santos
James Tate
Sara Teasdale
Mona Van Duyn