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SmileyStore.com announces the 2004
Smiley Spring Poetry Contest Winners!
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Meet the Judge
Contest entries were judged by Kimberlee Tyndall of Raymond, NH. Kim is a graduate of
Mount Holyoke College and has been a professional writer for 25 years.
"I was impressed with the overall quality of the poems," said Kim.
"The winning entries kept a consistent theme throughout. I also looked for cadence, interesting themes, intriguing word choice, rhymes where they occurred and were appropriate, simplicity..."
"However," explained Kim, "poetry isn't supposed to be about technique, but about the feelings it arouses in the mind of the reader."
About Belinda's poem, Kim said "Spring Cheer is a simple, well-crafted homage to springtime. It has interesting word choice and imagery. The rhyme scheme is consistent and the cadence is easily followed. It works very well."
"Jubilation, Debbi Smith's poem, has some very interesting images," said Kim. "Word choice is creative. Rhyming and cadence work well and the poem is uplifting and inspirational." Kim pointed out the use of the word limned in the last line of the poem. "Many people probably think this is a typo, but limned is a real word that works very well here. It means to describe, illuminate, or represent in an artistic way."
"In Tois Blankenship's poem, Something to Smile About," said Kim, "interesting topics are well described in each stanza and the poem is uplifting and patriotic. Tois uses simple phrasing in a sing-song rhythm that works very well."
Honorable Mentions are awarded to two additional poems that exhibit outstanding qualities. "Dana's Nature Smiles has great visual images," said Kim. "The topic is consistent and well-described."
"Jennifer's Smiles Abound also has great images and word choices," said Kim. "It's a fun poem!"
Finally, Kim wanted to comment on Sherman Smiles by Shirley Short. "This poem made me teary," said Kim, "anyone who loves animals would feel her emotion." We will be publishing Shirley's poem and many others in the monthly newsletter. You're in for a treat!
The judging of this contest actually inspired Kim to write a poem about someone who gives meaning to her life - her mother, Paulle. While not a contest entry, we wanted to share it with you. It is in her eyes.
"I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the Spring contest," said Kim. "It was difficult to select the top three from so many excellent entries. Best wishes to everyone, and keep writing!"
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Awakening of Spring Inspires
First Place Winner
Belinda Moore of Etta, Mississippi does a little creative writing as a hobby only. "I am a computer geek by trade, and love gardening, crafts, and birds," she said. "My poem was inspired because of the way the world comes back to life in the Spring after a cold, dreary Winter. I love finding that first flower and seeing the first robin in my yard. Spring just makes me smile!"
Spring Cheer
Hints of color, droplets of rain,
The great outdoors starting to wake up again,
A new leaf, the hum of a bee,
Birds that sing their songs with glee,
A young flower receiving a butterfly kiss,
Hello Spring, I welcome your warmth with bliss.
Belinda Moore, Etta, MS
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Second Place Winner
Writes About Zest For Life
Debbi Smith of Deland, Florida, is a retired teacher who has been writing poetry and short stories since she was a teenager. "I began my college career as an English major because I've always loved writing," said Debbi, "but I love the outdoors equally well, perhaps a tad more, so I ended up a Physical Education major. I compromise by doing most of my writing outdoors," she said with a smile. Debbi is inspired in her writing by her husband, Gene, and their three daughters. "This poem was written on a day that actually wasn't a particularly good one (we all have those), but those are the times I make myself think how lucky I am, and I put it into words."
JUBILATION
Lift your heart to the heavens!
Let your soul fly!
With the seabirds..screeching, sailing, lust for life in their cry!
Your blessings are endless---you see, you taste, you touch, you feel!
Your troubles are but imagined--your gifts are what is real!
Waste nary a moment; run to life's door;
Enter at your own risk; seek all there is, and then more.
For life's only tragedy, my friend, would be
In sitting back and letting the moments flee;
Without grabbing each one and squeezing, milking, shaking it dry;
Never pausing, never stopping nor asking why.
Give back what you've been given a thousand fold,
And your world will be etched in silver, limned in gold.
Debbi Holland Smith, Deland, FL
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Many Reasons to Smile Inspires
Third Place Winner
Tois Blankenship of Marshville, North Carolina doesn't think of herself as a poet, but was moved to write this poem because of the contest theme, Something to Smile About. "I can't think of anything better than a smile," said Tois. "My smile is my identity - everyone knows me by my smile." Tois is an avid collector of smiley faces and her oldest daughter, Kemberley, has started her own collection. "Most of the time I get smileys for presents and everyone seems to know me as the girl who collects smileys faces," said Tois. "Writing this poem helped me to realize how many reasons I have to smile."
Something to Smile About
I WAS SITTING AROUND MY KIDS TODAY.
DECIDING WHAT I WANTED TO SAY.
BUT THEY KEPT RUNNING IN AND OUT.
THIS ALMOST MADE ME WANT TO SHOUT.
BUT THIS IS SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT.
I STARTED ON MY POEM AGAIN.
THE PHONE RANG, IT WAS MY FRIEND.
SHE JUST WANTED TO TALK THERE IS NO DOUBT.
BUT THIS IS SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT.
I SAT BACK DOWN FOR ANOTHER TRY.
NEXT TO THE WINDOW, SO I COULD SEE THE SKY.
MY FLAG WAS FLYING IN THE YARD.
SMILING ABOUT THAT ISN'T HARD.
GOD BLESSES AMERICA WITHOUT A DOUBT.
THIS IS SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT.
I LOOKED BACK DOWN AND CONTINUED TO WRITE.
THERE WAS NO NOISE, NO ONE IN SIGHT.
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY. THEY ALL WENT OUT TO PLAY.
I CAN SEE THEM FROM HERE AS I LOOK OUT.
THAT IS SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT.
I AM ALMOST FINISHED AND MY WORDS SEEM TO DIMINISH.
I HAVE NO REASONS TO FROWN OR POUT.
THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT!!!!
Tois Blankenship, Marshville, NC
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Honorable Mention
Nature Smiles
Shades of brown transform to green,
Tiny buds sprout from tree limbs,
Spring flowers poke from beneath the ground,
Robins return with the warm wind.
The pussy willows sway in the light breeze,
Squirrels in abundance abound,
The music of nature can be heard,
As the birds chirp their beautiful sounds.
Daylight stays with us longer,
As the world seems brighter these days,
The air is more tepid and gentle,
And spring brings a smile my way.
Soon more colors will decorate,
The landscape before me I see,
The sun will encourage the blooms,
As nature smiles, it all comes to be.
Dana Smith-Mansell, Pottsville, PA
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Honorable Mention
Smiles Abound
There are many things to smile about
So many things to give a happy shout!
Big cherry lollipops on a great big stick,
A chocolate milkshake made extra thick.
A lazy day spent on the sea shore
Blankets and chairs - camping on the kitchen floor.
Helium balloons in colors red and blue
Flowers covered with heavy spring dew.
A treat of watermelon on a summer day
Every fall - tons of leave for jumping and play.
Hot chocolate come winter and the first snow!
A whole year - smile at how much you grow!
Many things to make you happy the whole year through
Take a look about - smiles are everywhere around you.
Jennifer Short, Terra Alta, WV
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First Place - Youth Division
Ben Oship of Tonawanda, New York is 9 years old. He enjoys skateboarding, reading, swimming, and playing with friends. "I live with my mom, dad, older brother Matthew and two cats," said Ben. "I have a few smiley items but would like more. My mom has some old smiley items from when she was little." "Ben's entry is a cute, well-constructed limerick," said Kim, "a great effort!"
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Silly Rabbit
There once was a rabbit from York
Who refused to eat with a fork
He ate with his hand
And he owned a food stand
And the special one day was pork.
Ben Oship, N. Tonawanda, NY
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Thanks to everyone who sent a contest entry! You helped to brighten our day and make us realize what great friends you are. Over the coming months, we'll be publishing other entries in the newsletter. Watch for them!
Happy Spring to everyone!
Copyright © 2004 Bitwise Gifts
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