Yearly Poetry Contest
As a member of the Neopoet family the time has come to select the Neopoet of the year. Please read the following twelve poems and click on the survey at the bottom of this newsletter. You will be asked to vote for the winning poem. You can learn more about the twelve poets by clicking on their profile links. The winner of this contest will be announced in the January newsletter, and in the Neopoet website news. The prize will be a one-hundred-dollar online visa card and one year of premium membership.
The Administration wishes all poets the best of luck and thanks all those who entered the monthly contests this year – Thank You All
Happy Holiday Season
December 2020 Contest
#1- Big Red Plastic Light-Up Santa (December Contest)
Submitted by, Michael Anthony
https://www.neopoet.com/michael-anthony
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/big-red-plastic-light-santa-december-contest
He stands across the room
A backlit twinkle in his eyes,
with a glow in his cheeks of polyethylene
Memories rushing forward
of dearest family and friends
Most are still here with me
but too many have departed
The specter of Christmas Past visits,
trying to haunt my thoughts
Despite the spirit’s best efforts
and winter so grey and unrelenting
I am not saddened by their absence
The company of Light-Up Santa
assures that I will still feel
those I’ve lost again
like toes warmed by the fire
Their good memories are permanent
like the smile on the face
of my red plastic Santa
January 2021 contest
#2- The Boundless Sea by, Mark
https://www.neopoet.com/mark
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/boundless-sea-0
I wish to know if my spirit could be bound
Like the seemingly endless sea we found
Nobody recalls the beginning of one’s life
Stormy times we go through, amounts of strife
I wish I could tack from New England to Old
See all the glorious stories I had been told
Yet I can only see but the sweep of a gull
Above our boat and off the beat up hull
I wish I knew the meaning of you
Endless sea of greenish blue
Where storms, then calm, bring satisfaction
Where there really is no thought - planned action
I wish to know if my spirt could be bound
Or if forever in you my soul be found
February 2021 Contest
#3- COVID ONE NINER -A YEAR AND A LIFETIME LATER
Submitted by Ray Whitaker
https://www.neopoet.com/ray-whitaker
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/february-contest-covid-one-niner-year-and-lifetime-later
The ICU staff were weary
‘nother patient
had met her maker
no rest*****no rest*****no rest
stepping over the floor’s detritus
of a cardiac arrest
resulting from a respiratory
death
no rest*****no rest*****no rest
Paula had been beyond sad
somehow her friends, her best
were distant****had all but disappeared
a thousand million Paulas existed
and a thousand million Kens too
threat of infection misted
both Ken and Paula always seemed to be blue
watching comedy somehow made it
bearable, Dr Weknowsdis
said it so well in a comedic bit:
“We know we could not have done this worse.”
Many a truck with
the frozen boxes loaded with vaccine
late deliveries were no bliss
half a million deaths in our country seen.
Our heroes of this calamity born
still all too easy to forget
while standing by the graves to mourn
we will always be in their debt
no rest*****no rest*****no rest
firemen, ambulance personnel
truck and ups drivers too passed the test
by showing up and ringing the bell
and yet it may last another year
still there are those that won’t wear a mask
despite those warnings from the seer'
these that make others sick need to be taken to task
it’s said that there are
only two types of people
in this,
our pandemic
those that die
that hadn’t a clue
and those that survive
having fought for their life.
March 2021 contest
#4- IN HINDSIGHT
Submitted by scribbler
https://www.neopoet.com/scribbler
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/hindsight-march-contest
The sun is well above the trees
on this late spring day
as we wade in mud near to our knees
in beaver ponds where wild bass play.
A cast made toward a fallen log
brings a swirl but it's a miss
on a bait which imitates a frog.
My brother laughs but it's all bliss.
The water is nearly chest deep
where he hooks on a nice bass
just as a breeze begins to sweep
the surface near some thick saw grass.
My turn next to hook a fish.
I unhook it then throw it back.
silently I make a wish
That for ever we can come back.
--------------
Rude thunder wakes me from the dream
thirty years or so later on.
Some wishes don't come true it seems
as reality arrives with the dawn.
Brother left here long ago
along with youth and strength of limb
while the years and belly grow
and I resent both of them.
I dig out a worn old photo
taken from some plane up high
of those wild ponds so long ago.
I study them and then I sigh.
For this is as close as I will come
to wading in those ponds again
which leaves my wanderlust quite numb.
I miss the strength and my close kin.........
April 2021 Contest
#5- This one lovely day
Submitted by Viviana Smith
https://www.neopoet.com/viviana-smith
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/one-lovely-day
When a crisp wind blows through the blue
and flings my hair up to kiss my face
it brings the smell of salt, and a faint memory too
the ocean sprayed its tangy taste
but its smell was syrupy sweet
I had laid my head on my beautiful boy
smelling his sweaty scent
though it was brackish it was somehow comforting
just like the ocean's breeze
I ran my hand through his luscious hair
bringing wondrous and curious scents
There was the slight smell of the juiciest oranges
and a grimy wift of dirt
it also brought that pleasant scent
that one can never describe
it makes you feel just full of love
like you could spread your wings and fly
but I snuggle down into my lovable dog
and into dreams of his wonderful aroma
and everytime I smell the ocean sweet but salty scent
I think back to that lovely day
when the smells of my love brought me sleep
May 2021 Contest
#6- Alter ego C. Wilde Night in the life
Submitted by atorn
https://www.neopoet.com/atorn
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/alter-ego-c-wilde-night-life
Staring across the tension tight space
separates
me from the door
wondering how fast a draw
how many shots
will I make it across the floor
A maniac is laughing
in the bathroom
advising in a pitched bozo voice
"It's time to grow up kids"
gotta expect that from a lunatic
yeah just grow up and quit......
sounds quite a bit
like a wife I had
and painful slow suicide
waiting gets intense
cracking like an electric charge
now poised, frozen
on the edge of a trance
long, dark and black
the moment tightly wound
the feeling tightly wrapped
the question of this space and time
when will the tuning go too far
and cause the string to snap
killing off the parrot in the corner
and making everybody laugh
June 2021 contest
#7- Kalon
Submitted by Arrow
https://www.neopoet.com/Arrow
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/kalon
spring lady beetles
destroy soft, sap-filled aphids-
faultless peach roses
July 2021 Contest
#8- Aussieland is Calling...
Submitted by Geezer
https://www.neopoet.com/Geezer
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/aussieland-calling
I'd like to live down-under
In Aussieland by the sea
With wallabies and waves of thunder
And Eucalyptus trees
The Outback filled with the songs
Of Kookaburra birds
And frog-filled billabongs
Grasslands and kangaroo herds
I'd listen through the night
To Aboriginal didgeridoos
Watch the sun come up bright
Look for spiders in my shoes
Ahhhh, the call of the wild
The Outback calling me
Me, a nature-child
A regular Croc Dundee
August 2021 contest
#9- Sydney Xmas Limerick
Submitted by Lamington
https://www.neopoet.com/lamington
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/sydney-xmas-limerick
At Christmas in Sydney it's hot
(wintry and snowy it's not)
So on the nude beach
Remember to reach
And smother some cream on your bot.
September 2021 contest
#10- Night Rider
Submitted by c lynn brooks
https://www.neopoet.com/c-lynn-brooks
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/night-rider
Turn an eye to the
lonely sky
with billowing clouds
pregnant with rain
hiding a waning moon
winds are screaming to the night
ti's an omen
so they say
Heed where ye travel
beware what ye do
above all whisper
the words ye shall say
For he rides
in the dark
searching for men to slay
would it be the ones gone wrong
with debauchery and lie
of the evil
that men do
Keep a razor sharp eye
take care lest you stray
into a cold and darkened night
he is waiting to take your soul
and there is no giving back
October 2021 contest
#11- The Witch's Teapot (Hallowe'en Contest)
Submitted by Owl Has My Soul
https://www.neopoet.com/owl-has-my-soul
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/witchs-teapot-halloween-contest
Spider legs sprout and canter forth
With glorious joy and dark purpose.
Pottery tips and clackety-clicks;
A dance on the dusty wood surface.
Then a pause and a shout,
In celebration no doubt,
"Oh happy, happy day!"
Such relief it expects,
"We are going to have guests!"
Tonight, a most wicked soiree.
It's been far too long
Since our Mistress did feed.
Months! No a year, yes indeed!
Past earthenware pots,
"Such a drink I'll concoct!"
To put the fair children to sleep.
A knock on the door,
"Fill our bags, we want more!"
Unaware they're the tasty meat treat.
Outside not a sound.
They'll never be found.
What a perfectly grand Hallowe'en.
November 2021 Contest
#12 - Greener Days
Submitted by, Abby
https://www.neopoet.com/abby
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/greener-days
The yellow sunshine does not live here.
The rainy clouds are friends.
trudging through layers of sludge-
We -.-soldier-.- on through the storms.
We shiver and cry ourselves to the bone.
In a sky full of stars we\
/drown-
The night filled with the howls of wolves
As they descend upon the brave.
Our walls are built thick enough-
Though the cold tries hard to take souls.
Hurricane is the way of the day's mood switch.
I wish for the days of lavender air
And greener grasses.
When the daisies and mums consumed.
Lilacs are
dead in the ground.
Today I
fall underneath the late dark
And count blessings
the sky is devoid of white powder.
Ice will coat these streets soon.
After reading the poems, please click on the link of the survey. Choose your favorite poem that you read and vote yes on it. Any survey with two yes votes will not be counted
https://www.neopoet.com/community/form/30278
