WINNING POEMS – MALAD VALLEY WELSH FESTIVAL 2019
Theme: Gratitude
2019 BARD OF THE MALAD VALLEY WELSH FESTIVAL
AUTUMN
by Cory Webster
These are the days
When you’re out on your horse
Riding through quakies and pine.
These are the days
When time stands still
And the mountains are yours and mine.
We came for a purpose, to ride for the strays
But we both know better, for these are the days,
When we ride for the pleasure
In our saddles together
Up through quakies and pine,
And we ride with the feeling
That time may be stealing
This moment in autumn divine,
For these are the days
When you’re out on your horse
And the mountains . . . are yours and mine.
2nd PLACE – ADULT POETRY CONTEST – 2019
STANDING IN SUMMER RAIN
by Jon C. Ward
Seize hope barehanded. It resides in white-knuckle grasp
cherished like a toy ship
in the hollow of a hand. The journey begins
in the embrace of gentle streams. Give thanks!
Child-summer days often begin when clouds drift
toward purple horizons. Vapor trails
are mere scratches. Cumulus towers rise and become
animal crackers in the sky. They all had names.
They marched royally adorned
shaded in gray, lilac, cobalt blue.
Press your face toward the storm. Breathe!
Ozone spices moments
with clarity’s stain. Savor the scent of breeze
enlivened like washday clothes hung on a line to dry.
Wallow in fresh air. Hear the snap
of bedsheets. Give thanks!
Look skyward with mouth agape. Taste
tears from the sky. Know
there is no saline sadness, just rebirth
after shrouds of storm fade and depart
banished like Icarus and his waxen wings.
Savor relish of rain. Give thanks!
Drops of moisture offer life to blades of green. They bend
under weight
of dew. Clear pearls of moisture wink skyward.
Savor sight. Give thanks!
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Standing in Summer Rain
Hear claps of rolling thunder roar
one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand
three-one-thousand. The mantra marks a way to judge
distance of each spear of sizzling light.
Life is full of simple pleasure. Stand erect. Eyes clenched.
Savor sound. Give thanks!
Grip gratitude
by the throat. Courageous hearts face every new day
thankful for each gasp of life
grateful for each glimpse of dawn.
Set the small ship afloat. The quest begins
in child-hands. Open fists sense what awaits.
Age teaches cynicism. Age teaches hope.
Life is about choice.
Happiness lies within reach.
Open arms welcome peace and sanctuary
shaded in gentle pastels.
Gratitude begins in streams. Each breath
yields life. Each breath beckons discovery.
3 rd PLACE – ADULT POETRY CONTEST – 2019
THANKFULNESS
by Ralph Hanson
Downturned eyes, in darkening skies
Shallow the breath, wary the pace
In pleading cries, a heartfelt grace
Casting light upon a grove of trees.
Awakening the hungering senses
Buoyant the greenery
Quiescent tranquility
A transcending prosperity
Dauntless the creativity
Luminous the authenticity
Enthralling the diversity
Bonding in a similarity.
Acceptance, diligence, perseverance
A gifting in the imagery
A kindred spirit of unity
Flourishing in the tapestry
Resourcefulness, steadfastness
A binding meaningfulness
Shepherding an unselfishness
Harboring an engaging richness
Exhilarating, captivating
Energizing, inspiring
Windblown seeds
Canopies abounding
A gracious generosity
A hallowed harmony
A bursting beauty
Balancing, nurturing, healing.
HONORABLE MENTION – ADULT POETRY CONTEST – 2019
HERE IN THIS VALLEY
by Ned Thomas
When they completed their long and arduous journey
across oceans and mountains and plains,
in wagons or on foot,
carrying but few worldly possessions
yet eager to build a new home,
I imagine that they were grateful
to find a place of peace and comfort and refuge
here among family and friends.
When they established their homesteads
in defiance of drought and sagebrush and crickets,
harnessing horses and plows
with unwavering faith and determination
to make the desert blossom like a rose,
I imagine that they were grateful
to see the hand of Providence
bless their fields and gardens with abundance.
When they prospered in their tightknit communities,
developing successful farms and businesses
through hard work and determination and sacrifice,
welcoming the extension of freight lines and railroads
to carry the emergent flow of their commerce,
I imagine that they were grateful
to enjoy the fruits of their vision and labor and industry,
dwelling comfortably in tidy homes on tree-lined streets.
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Here in This Valley
When they gathered in local churches and schools
bound together by deep ties of faith and family and friendship,
teaching their children and grandchildren
to honor values of honesty and hard work and loyalty
and demonstrating genuine love and concern for one another,
I imagine that they were grateful
to realize a strong and resilient community
as their legacy to future generations.
When they at last found their peaceful rest
in the shade of cottonwood and willows,
laying aside earthly burdens and cares
amid the familiar scent of juniper and sage and lilacs,
I am certain that they were grateful
for the continued blessing of guidance from above
leading them onward to a new home
here in this valley.