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Poetry Competition, 2011

Please post poems that you would like to submit to Fred Shaw, League for Innovation, and Literary Magazine here.

4 Comments

  1. Ericka Burke says:

    Independent Me

    Born on a small island jewel of Earth
    No trumpets or drums to herald my birth
    But warm brown hands ushered me in with care
    Sustain, guided and taught me year after year
    I look in the mirror and what do I see
    The child that was woman to be
    Inspired by a hard working mom
    And the island I’m from
    I strive to walk independently

    Playing dandy shandy
    Eating too much candy
    Running barefoot in the rain
    A mahogany doll with brown eyes that held no pain
    I look in the mirror and what do I see
    The child that was woman to be
    Inspired by a hard working mom
    And the island I’m from
    I strive to walk independently

    Working nine to five to pay the bills
    Slaving past exhaustion and even my will
    Fun, games, parties, and a date
    Always hoping to find a true mate
    I look in the mirror and what do I see
    The child that was woman to be
    Inspired by a hard working mom
    And the island I’m from
    I strive to walk independently

    A child I hope one day to see
    For my brown hands to nurture tenderly
    Completing that circle of child and me
    There stand that man I dreamed would be
    The seasons, the days continue to change
    School, bills, work, the range
    I look in the mirror and what do I see
    The child that was woman to be
    Inspired by a hard working mom
    And the island I’m from
    I strive to walk independently

    [Reply]

  2. Kirstin Barrett says:

    The Rush of Life
    Staring at the silvery waters
    makes me stop an ponder,
    “Shall I walk through or atop?”
    though a strange thing to wonder.
    These shimmery waters
    shine as with their own light;
    the rippling current hitting rocks
    as they stay to put up a fight.
    The beauty of water
    is an awesome thing to see…
    the light bounces off and also
    stays in, never to be free.
    As the current strengthens,
    and the rain rolls in,
    the beautiful waters rush,
    and it appears I’m staring at sin.
    The waters beckon and call
    to those of us without:
    “Come within me and stay!”
    the waters seem to shout.
    The restless waters call to me
    never to let me be.
    They summon me and wave
    as far as the eye can see.
    I fear to look away,
    and miss this wondrous sight…
    as the waters push and pull,
    I eventually lose the fight.

    A peaceful body floats along,
    seeming to be one
    with these sparkling waters
    beneath the rising sun.

    [Reply]

  3. Kirstin Barrett says:

    Daily Fares

    Pressed deep into the corner,
    arms crossed over her chest,
    nonchalantly glaring at some,
    and ignoring all the rest.
    Staring with untrustful eyes,
    constantly fearing change.
    The hateful looks coming from her
    freeze everyone within range.
    It’s not exactly fear,
    Just unwillingness to trust.
    Each person that come near
    can feel her mental thrust.
    She pushes them away
    and stands back for the show…
    how well she knows each one of them,
    no one will ever know.
    She’s a passenger in life-
    paying-no free rides for her.
    She works hard at her own business,
    and problems that occur.
    She worries for no other,
    for their lives are their own.
    Into her protective shell,
    over the years, she has grown.
    Maybe one day someone’ll make it:
    get past her steel shields…
    yet when she feels someone close,
    she immediately yields.
    This lifelong faring passenger
    will never coast through life.
    She’s destined for problems,
    pain, heartache, and strife.
    Every day passes by
    as she bars away the world,
    and I wait so impatiently
    for someone to save this girl…
    .

    [Reply]

  4. Kirstin Barrett says:

    Never

    Silence broken…
    I’ll feel the pain no more.
    Spirit broken…
    I will heal my wounds.

    Bruises, lies, and pain…
    that’s what I was given.
    The strength to go on…
    that’s what I learned.

    Never again will your hell envelop me.
    Never again will you control me.
    Never again will that fear run through my veins.

    Silence broken…
    I’ll feel the pain no more.
    Spirit broken…
    I will heal my wounds.

    Tears, fears, and years…
    that’s what I had given.
    I can be on my own…
    that’s what you learned.

    I am not weak, for you made me strong.
    I am not afraid, for no longer are you a threat.
    I am not a puppet, for I have cut the strings.

    Silence broken…
    I’ll feel the pain no more.
    Spirit broken…
    I will heal my wounds.

    [Reply]

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