Poetry Contest Winners

I saw her standing across the hall
Carrying her book tote, leaning against the wall
Her beautiful eyes glanced my way
Dancing green emeralds took my breath away

I was 11 years old and so was she
The very first girl to take my heart undeniably
She became my first love in 1985
We wrote each other notes to keep our crush alive

Songs were dedicated, shy grins traded
Coming home from school, I sat by the phone and waited
Just to hear her voice gave me butterflies
Nothing else seemed to matter otherwise

I saw her at the roller rink, my heart filled with glee
We couple skated with sweaty hands to "Say You, Say Me"
Looking in her eyes and smelling her perfume
I knew instantly, she could light up any room

Then one day after school, an unexpected turn
She walked up to me sadly, I felt my stomach churn
She handed me a note saying she's breaking up with me
Also the first to break my heart. How can this be?

After that day, I didn't see her much again
Only hearing of her every now and then
Decades went by, our lives seemed to be cursed
Living with liars and cheaters, ending up divorced

As life went on, I thought of her often
The more heartache I lived through, she'd never be forgotten
You see at 11 years old, she was the only one honest
All the others were liars of all the things promised

39 years later after she told me goodbye
I saw her on Facebook so I had to say hi
To my surprise, I found out she was single
I asked if we could meet, to see if we could mingle

A few days later we decided to meet
When she stepped out of her car my heart skipped a beat
Dancing green emerald eyes again took my breath away
I felt I went back in time to that glorious day

All of the feelings, every last one
Stitched back together, to never be undone
It took 39 years for you to come back full circle to me
To tell you that I love you, just like at Grace Hill Elementary

(Say You, Say Me)

I'm a pigeon and pushover, patsy and prey
Who's persuaded by pitches of grifters to pay.
I'm a con artist's picnic and flimflammer's feast
Who is fooled and finagled and flummoxed and fleeced.

I'm a victim of vultures whose ventures go bad.
I've been hustled and hornswoggled, hoodwinked and had.
I'm a sap who's been stung, up the creek, and at sea
Giving scammers and scoundrels more income tax-free.

I'm as lamb led to altar and cash cow that's milked
As I'm buffaloed, badgered, bamboozled and bilked.
I'm a sucker who's snookered and dupe being rooked
And a chicken for plucking and goose to be cooked.

In the dark and adrift, sinking deep in the red,
I'm a mark who is miffed as by leeches I'm bled.
Being led by the nose, I am cozened and coaxed;
Easy pickings for pros and too frequently hoaxed.

Shrinks and therapists say I exaggerate facts;
That though poorer each day, I should try to relax.
But despite expertise of those women and men,
When I hand them their fees, I feel swindled again.

                           ADDENDUM

Now I'm bankrupt and broke as the day I was born,
Feeling down and disgusted and shorn and forlorn.
But I just met a stranger who sure thing has planned
That will rich make us both if you lend me ten grand.

Twelve red roses;
best when unsuspected

Eleven vows spoken;
deepest thoughts reflected

Ten interlocked fingers;
longing then reconnected

Nine vulnerable moments;
never to feel rejected

Eight emotional disagreements;
both parties respected

Seven laugh-til-you-cries;
priceless and unexpected

Six trips across the pond;
cultures to be injected

Five love languages learned;
unknown needs now detected

Four eyes looking forward;
though the past not neglected

Three Godly forces;
new roads Heaven-directed

Two hearts forged together;
now forever connected

One purpose in mind;
love always protected

There on the streets of Manhattan
Beneath the cold neon light
You were the soul of my affections
And all with the world seemed right

The wind was singing of your beauty
The snow caressed you as it fell
You were the road that lay before me
But where it led no one could tell

The city seemed to fall silent
Beneath a blanket of white
And you looked just like an Angel
Standing in Times Square that night

You took me to see the high lights
Of the city you loved so much
You took me dancing in the Village
And taught me the pleasure of your touch

At repose in your apartment
My head spinning with the wine
I pulled you closer to me
And you whispered you were mine

You looked just like an Angel
With neon light in your hair
And you smelled just like heaven
With alabaster skin laid bare

I lay awake in the darkness
And I listened to you breathe
And you looked just like an Angel
As you lay there next to me

Strawberry hair covered your pillow
And freckles covered your nose
When I kissed you on your fingertips
It made you wriggle your toes

There on that island
Cast of mortar, stone and steel
My world moved in slow motion
And the night seemed surreal

I said you were my Concrete Angel
Because of where you lived
You asked me for my heart
But I didn't have one to give

It was time for me to leave
And the snow had turned to rain
And you looked just like an Angel
As we headed for the train

We made the drive in silence
Neither could find any words to say
You rested your head on my shoulder
My feet had turned to clay

There were no words in parting
Neither wanted to say goodbye
And you looked just like an Angel
Just as you started to cry

Raindrops on your eye lashes
Your mascara had started to run
And you looked just like an Angel
Whose world had come undone

Our hands pressed against the glass
Our souls screaming to be heard
So much emotion welled up inside
But neither could say a word

You were a dancer at a club downtown
And I was a sailor who couldn't stay
And you looked just like an Angel
As you watched the train pull away

I have touched the face of Heaven
And felt the warmth of her glow
I held my Angel close to me
And then I let her go

Where have all of the good years gone
One by one they slipped away
Did all of your dreams come true
Or did life get in the way

So many times I've thought of you
And how things might have been
With an Angel by my side
No broken heart to mend

There is an Angel in Manhattan
She lives high up in the clouds
Away from the city streets
Above the maddening crowds

A true friend's like a sunny day
Of light, and warmth, and cheer,
That heals with hope along life's way,
Dispelling every fear.

A true friend's like a summer rain:
Refreshing, gentle, kind;
Water of life for all life's bane
Of spirit, body, mind.

A true friend's like a flake of snow,
A pattern formed by Love;
Uniquely given to us below,
A blessing from Above.

A true friend's faithful, most of all;
Will never let you down,
And still is there if you should fall,
If smiles in tears should drown.

A true friend's like a melody
Of life, its joyful ringing!
An echo of Heaven's harmony:
True friends, for ever singing!

If ice cream could be grown on the tree top,
Tiny tummies would be liking it lots.
Any fruit flavour
For all to savour.
Do stop by at the ice cream tree shop.

If only the trees could grow lollipops
With a sharp tangy taste of lemon drops.
Lolly licky-lick
With a zingy twist.
Come along with a skip and a hop.

If chocolate heaven grew on tree leaf,
Bountiful, tempting, delicious to eat,
A smooth, silky, treat
In a chocy feast.
If only they weren't so out of reach.

If bubblegum grew upon trees that blew
Bubbles in the air, to catch and to chew.
Be nimble, be quick;
Remember the trick.
Don't swallow, because gum sticks like glue.

All are welcome at the Candy Tree Shops.
Feast your eyes on all the goodies they've got.
There are enough treats
For all down the streets,
So come and join the jiggery-jog

This is to all the great Master Poets of art,
Having the skills, the words, and the smarts.
Emotions you've captured, the thoughts you provoked.

Pouring your heart out with pen in your hand,
Orchestrating your words like no one can.
Elizabeth Browning, Dickinson, Shakespeare, and Poe,
Twain and Frost - these great ones you know.
Reflecting on their works, which have brought us to tears.
Yes, yearning for more, we felt all their fears.

Masterfully crafted their words - they can fool,
Artist on paper, their pen is their tool.
Strategy playing with rhythm and rhymes,
Touching our hearts and enriching our minds.
Experts and masters, their poems live on.
Reflecting on your memory now that you're gone.
So, thanks for your poetry. I leave with this thought, "How do I Love Thee?"

Forever in my heart,
Always on my mind.
Together again we will be, all in God's time.
Heaven gained another angel the day you left.
Eternity promises you much needed rest.
Rest now, Daddy, I'll be okay because I carry you with me every single day.

Here it is,
Your special day,
So I thought I'd take
This time to say

How nice it is
To have a friend
Who listens
and understands.

The kind of friend
Who's always there,
Ready to show
That someone cares.

You've cheered me up
When I was down
Just by simply
Hanging around.

And oh the times
We've spent in laughter
Have made me chuckle
For many days after.

We've stored many
Good memories away
As I sit here drowned
In memory today.

Wanted to share
This thought with you
Having you as a friend
Makes it my special day too.

Christmas is a happy time for friends and family,
The children are excited as they unwrap presents around the tree.

Carols are sung and lights twinkle in the night.
Jack Frost glistens on the windows, and the snow sparkles from the winter moonlight.

Christmas is such a joyous time to appreciate the ones we love.
This Christmas I want to send wishes to those we lost up above.

To some, Christmas is not the same because a loved one passed away,
And the grief is overwhelming each and every day.

When the holidays approach, we miss them even more,
Traditions never feel the same, and memories are all we have left to adore.

We will always remember their name and never forget their faces,
And as long as we keep them in our hearts, they can never be erased.

So this Christmas, my wish is for everyone who is feeling a little blue
To find some peace, joy, and comfort with everything you do.

Christmas isn't just a season; it's a feeling, and the magic never ends.
One of its greatest gifts is to cherish family and friends.

Merry Christmas to all our special angels up above.
Merry Christmas to you all. I send you all my love.

Here it comes,
Ready or not.
Summer's coming,
And it's going to be hot!

Summer is the time
Just to be free.
Run in the parks
With unbearable glee.

Roll on the grass,
Climb up the trees.
Make shapes from the clouds
While enjoying juicy berries!

Rest on the mat,
Or jump in the pool.
Have ice cream or juice
'Cause you gotta keep cool.

Chill by the shore,
Or sunbathe on the sand.
Have a dip in the sea
Or relax and get tanned.

Switch on the A.C.,
And, oh, switch on the fan.
Breathe in the cool air,
And have a drink from a can.

Summer is a time
Of all the joy and play.
But can you believe,
It's not around to stay?

At night we look into the sky.
Summer will be gone with all its bloom,
And in a blink of eye,
Winter will be here soon!

The chill, worming in
Shock, pleasure, bursting within
Summer tongue awakes