From Jessica Weible’s Speech at the 2023 RMAML Poetry Contest
It’s tempting to quote old, dead poets in a moment like this, with us all gathered together over the love of words and making meaning. I could quote the transcendentalist poet William Wordsworth that “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity.”
Or I could mention the aesthetic poet Dylan Thomas who said, “A good poem is a contribution to reality. The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it.” And, so there; I did quote them. What’s more, I agree with them. Poetry is powerful. But I wonder if the old dead poet’s, in their omnipotent perspectives, would agree with me that the power of poetry is not just for old dead poets. It’s for everyone.
Our poets here today needed no invitation. They’ve empowered themselves through their poems and that alone is worth celebrating. Some of the most powerful poetry I’ve ever read had an effect on me because I knew the poet. I knew something of the moments that led the poet to write and share a poem.
I’m thinking about Robert Klasen, a forester in Marienville who wrote his very first poem, Heartwood, and was published in an edition of The Watershed Journal. I also think about Byron Hoot, a poet from Rossiter, who starts every day of his life by writing a poem. Then there is Octavia Knight who taught herself to read when she was in 7th grade and then started writing poetry as a way to express the torrent of emotions and thoughts throughout her teenage years.
These poets are more real to me because of the experiences that we’ve shared through their poetry. Now, as we sit here, about to hear from our poetry contest winners, I want to invite everyone to be fully open and attentive to this experience. We never know when a poem might take hold of our hearts and souls. Or, as one of our poetry contest winners recommends, “. . . remember to snatch each insignificant moment/and feel it against my skin.”
Winners of All Ages
Noticing by Milea Reynolds, first place in the adult category There is so much beauty In the things we choose not to notice The gentle staccato of raindrops On the metal porch roof. The timid trembling of clover Bending in the breeze. The whisper of cold air Creeping through a cracked window, Ushering with it the earthen scent Of a full moon at midnight. There is beauty in time, too - Terrorizing charm In its persistent stride toward the end Of all things. I set aside the sippy cups and Cheerios, Watch as my children trade their teething toys For monster trucks And chapter books. Wonder whether we will long for these paint-splattered days When the house is quiet. There is beauty up ahead, I must tell myself this - to remember to snatch each insignificant moment And feel it against my skin.
by Isabelle Schreckengost, first place YA I feel the world's pain I see the world's vain We need a change in the world Though no one is concerned I want to be the change even though I hurt Like I should desert I am nobody But someday, I will be somebody I see the word's pain I feel the world's vain I ignore it all And do my own thing, even if it is small I will be the change and you should too If you let it get in it will control you Block it out and help others through the sorrow And maybe, just maybe, it will change in the many tomorrow If all you see is pain and discomfort Believe me, you will be triumphant Look for the good And change the world as you should The change we need in the world is gentleness Once things change, there will be more tenderness Less rude and snot-up people we have in the world The better it will have turned I see and feel the world's pain I see and feel the world's vain I block it out and I am determined to become the change Although it might be strange
Butterflies by Calla Reynolds, first place birth - 12 years old Fluttering by in the sunshine With wings that catch my eye, They make me want to sing a song And fly up in the sky. They're orange and yellow, blue and red, And sometimes even pink. They fly so gracefully And they disappear in a blink. I love them because their colors shine With wings that glimmer like gold. I know that spring is finally here When I see their beauty bold.