And The Poetry Contest Winners Are...

The Winner's of this week's holiday themed poetry contest are:

1st Place - Elizabeth Barrette - The Ghost of Christmas Presence - Prize $15.00

2nd Place - Kevin Craig - Our Christmas Tree - Prize $10.00

3rd Place - Robert Bourne - Untitled Poem - Prize $10.00


Honorable mention goes to:

Najeea Murray - That Time Is Here

Paul Lemenager - Untitled Poem

Thank you very much to every one who entered the contest, the poems were a great read. Happy Holidays!



The Ghost of Christmas Presence

By Elizabeth Barrette

It’s Christmas, and the crescent moon is bright.

The sky hangs black as velvet overhead.

The fields and woods lie silently outspread.

It’s Christmas, and the stars are all alight.

It’s Christmas, and the city is a sight.

The decorations shimmer, green and red.

Like bells, the joyful thoughts fill every head.

It’s Christmas, and the snow is clean and white.

The world is changing faster all the time,

So hold what you remember of the day.

Give voice to love and peace that reign sublime;

Store up the recollections while you may.

Through all the future hours as they chime,

The song of Christmas shall not fade away.

Elizabeth Barrette writes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction in the fields of speculative fiction, gender studies, and alternative spirituality. Her article “Appreciating Speculative Poetry” appeared in Internet Review of Science Fiction. She has taught classes in ritual poetry and speculative poetry. Her newest study is cyberfunded creativity, including the popular “Poetry Fishbowls” on her blog The Wordsmith’s Forge. You can also read her book and music reviews at Hypatia's Hoard of Reviews. She enjoys presenting panels and workshops at science fiction conventions. Her favorite pastimes include suspension-of-disbelief bungee-jumping and spelunking in other people’s reality tunnels.

Our Christmas Tree

By Kevin Craig

That sad little tree, it bore us no fruit-
still, we brought it in out of the rain
gave its boughs tinsels, trinkets and cane
alighted an angel atop for a deeper repute.

We sang hymns around it, accompanied by flute,
offered it presents again and again,
that sad little tree.

It lit up our parlor, sparkled minute,
echoed our voices in gathered refrain.
its heart bursting forward; hard to explain,
it brought us together without any fruit.
That sad little tree.

Kevin Craig was born in Toronto. Now living in Oshawa, Ontario, he writes fiction and poetry. His first novel, Sebastian’s Poet, was awarded Best Adult Novel in the 2007 Muskoka Novel Marathon Writing Competition and is currently being considered for publication. His novel, The Reasons, recently won Best Adult Novel in the 2008 Muskoka Novel Marathon Writing Competition.

(Untitled)

By Robert Bourne

Am I there
I see no reflection
In the moving water below
Does light just pass
Through me like a window
Or am I a shimmering ghost
A figment of my mind
Is it like the past
Where I receded
Moving like a gossamer wraith
Maybe felt for a second
But never seen as whole
A trick of light
A crack in my thoughts
From which demons
Ooze out slithering
Across my conscious just to tease
If that is so
Where the hell am I
Will this Christmas be different

I ask the mirrored water
Walking away I ponder
Before I am swept
By the out bound tide

Robert Bourne is an ex trucker,blogger and amateur poet now residing in St. John's Newfoundland. You can visit his websites at http://blacktieandsneakers.blogspot.com and

http://fromtheroads.com.

THAT TIME IS HERE

by Najeea Murray

Something special is occurring
Felt the snow melt in my hand
Lights are sparkling through the branches
Thoughts of gumdrops in my head
Through the year times all change to a magical place
Smiles on all faces and carols from angels
Love fills the air with the sweet scent of pine
You know that it's Christmastime

Winter wonderland, candy kisses
Underneath the mistletoe
Gingerbread men, hanging stockings
Chestnuts roasting in the stove
It's a time full of life and a spirit so bright
Greetings from people you don't even know
Love fills the air, yes these are the signs
You know that it's Christmastime

That time is here
It's a wonderful feeling
Santa come fly my way
Good will to men
Gifts of presents and toys
To every girl and every boy
May your dreams come true
Merry Christmas to you

Glory to our reigning King
He's the reason why we sing
Pouring out His blessings
Giving in abundance
He's our shining Star
Bringing Christmas to us
And as long as He is near
Christmastime is here

Najeea Murray - I have been writing poetry since 8th grade where I won my first contest. I have just recently been asked to publish my poems for the first time at the age of 20. I am also a songwriter and end up turning my poems into songs one way or another. Writing poetry and lyrics is the best way for me to express myself and my main goal is to touch someone through my words. Best feeling in the world.

(Untitled)

By Paul Lemenager

When

They were young,

It was gowns and bows,

The Sweet giggle of a tickle,

Or the sob from something as simple

As too much day with too little night.

Christmas was innocence and mystery.

More than toys wrapped for a fleeting play day,

The time was treasured and too soon a whisper

Of our own memories and loved ones past.

Now the time has come for the innocent to see

The reality of the mystery. Another whisper,

This time knowing. Following in our footsteps

A time that we remember and wish we could recapture.

A reminder that the love of Christmas is the time.

The smells. The sights. The music.

The time for all of us to remember. What love means.

What birth means. How much we care. How much we love.

How much

We are

Loved.

Paul Lemenager lives in Duluth, Minnesota and wrote this poem for his ten year old daughter.