Until 11th June.

Enjoy.

Today we share the 2nd winning poem.

 

2 "A Life of Roots and Leaves", by Bob Stephens (USA)

 

The leaves shivered in the wind when I first touched you

I was not electrified, but awestruck

The power of you almost overwhelming me

The spread of you makes my eyes rove

Unable to settle, a butterfly flitting among Lantana

I cannot see half of your body

Roots deep and broad

 

Broader than your life above

A dual Life as one

A thirsty world thriving in the elemental earth

A colorful world thriving in the elemental air

A yin and yang

Two worlds living together in a wider world

 

I can only try

To appreciate all of you

I can sense you with every pore

I can feel you in your shade

You have history as only a tree can experience

If only I could hear you sing

Not the whispers of the wind

 

But your low rumble

Of roots old and new burrowing

The shining tinkling sigh

Of leaves breathing

Sap flowing with a silent thrum

The life blood of you

If you could

Tell me of

The great winds of your aged Life

The lighting just missing

The terror of fires approaching

 

Tell me of

The bright rainbows you have seen

The families of you have sheltered

The shooting stars that streaked

Beneath the sky

And above your crown

I am just an instant in your long Life

Sing of the dreams you could not share.

 

Please note that only in June we will be able to disclose the complete list of winning works of the Literary Contest Nature.

 

Enjoy.

'Person' is 'Pessoa' in Portuguese.

Today, in a day so important for literature, we share Fernando Pessoa...

Here you can find more:

Fernando Pessoa | Poetry Foundation

and a poem here:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=26784

Enjoy.

 

Dear readers,

Here are the three main winning works of this Edition:

1st Place

"Ocean Odyssey"

2nd Place

"A Life of Roots and Leaves"

3rd Place

"RAIN ON THE DESERT"

 

Here the winning poem:

1 "Ocean Odyssey" by Amy Pacini (USA)

 

Traversing the barren beach

I search for solitude and tranquility

Eager to escape from the cacophony of life

I discover my aquatic sanctuary.

 

The cascading turquoise waves ebb and flow to joyfully greet the serene seashore

Cackling seagulls soar the cerulean sky

Before swooping down and landing on their familiar surfing ground.

 

I can feel the silky sensation of ivory pearl sand

As it gently caresses my sun-dappled skin.

 

The rising sunset reflects its pinkish-red hues along the hopeful horizon

As I saunter along the balmy beach

Awesomely amazed at the tantalizing tidal treasures

Embedded in the soft ribboned and rippled sand.

 

Intricately designed seashells and sand dollars

Smoothly textured stones and shiny sea glass enchantingly emerge.

 

I watch beach critters in utter fascination

As they collectively creep along the coastal carpet

Farther down the shore, I spot sea horses, urchins, and crabs galore.

 

Later I nautically nap in my teal lounge chair floppily topped with a flamingo pink straw hat

As beaming sunlit rays radiantly warm my reposeful soul

When I awake, it's time for a refreshing blueberry swirl ice cream cone and game of Frisbee.

 

Oh how I wish to stay permanently nestled in such breathtakingly beautiful beach bliss

It has become my lifelong song to be in a paradisial place where I belovedly belong

I have discovered sublime serendipity on this mesmerizing maritime ocean odyssey.

 

 

More information during the next days.

Enjoy.