April is National Poetry Month
"A good poem is a contribution to reality. The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. A good poem helps to change the shape of the universe, helps to extend everyone's knowledge of himself and the world around him." - Dylan Thomas
Neptune Public Library is proud to present winners of our poetry contest:
Trinitee Smith
Winner of group Children K-4
Today I was thinking about boys
They always think about their toys.
They are crazy.
They are kookie.
They always say "cool to dog poopie.
But one day I will marry one.
I don't think it will be much fun.
Juliana Rodriguez
Winner of group Tween and Teen
Day at the Beach
The warmth of my parents’ hands.
Collecting colorful shells as we walk along;
Listening to the ocean’s soothing song.
A beautiful sunset dripping into the sea;
The noisy seagulls flying freely.
I look out and strain to see;
A dolphin family playing in the water happily.
There is no place on Earth I’d rather be;
Than here by the ocean only mom, dad and me.
Rosemary Wright
Winner of group Adult
Dining Hall, 1:55 pm
I could bolt out the door,
run away through September sunlight
warm like lemon glaze.
I could forget class,
abandon the blue portfolio,
and that drawing, my first,
messy and meaningless,
like tracks of slugs on sidewalks.
I stare at my plate,
tuna sandwich reeks like cat food,
chocolate cake tastes like chalk.
A class critique. My stomach
lurches,
a pack mule stumbling on rock.
Lamar appears,
my sixth-grade student years ago,
now grown tall, dignified,
a Druid priest in an Eagle’s tee shirt.
He sits, tells me he’s an art major.
I blink,
tell him I’m retired,
trying new things.
My voice sounds small,
a mouse in a jar.
He frowns, touches my arm.
I feel the warmth
of crocus melting snow.
Stay in school, he whispers,
We’re all beginners.
Always.
I murmur thanks.
Still I scan the door,
like a bird fluttering against glass,
The clock ticks,
I trudge to class.
