Poetry Contest Winners Announced May 12, 2009

Dear Readers,

Our panel of 19 judges have spent the last week poring over more than 40 poetry contest entries. They laughed and cried and voted for their top 3 favorites in each of the 4 age categories. It wasn’t easy! We then factored in the comments and I’m pleased to post the winning poems here.

First Prize  (these poems will be published in Library Happenings).

Youth 1:  Jaden  Hamster

Youth 2:  Symone  I am

Teen: Sawas  Magnolia

Adult: Judith  Queenie

Second Favorite

Youth 1:  Bri.  Dear Smelly Dogs

Youth 2: Eric  Dogs

Teen: Erika  Hamsters

Adult: Sharon  Cat Love

Third Favorite

Youth 1: Caroline  Goldfish

Youth 2: A  Cats Love Play

Teen: Rachell You can count on a…

Adult: Lynn Oinkie and Pig

Staff entries:

Ann: Dog and Cat

Bernard: My Dog Danger

We will be posting all the winning poems in the Annapolis Area Library by the end of May for all to admire!

Finally, I do wish to thank all of you for your participation. You took the time to express your thoughts and feelings about pets in general and some very dear specific pets. 

We were thrilled to have two St. Anne’s School first grade classes submit poetry this year. Thank you Miss Lisa  and Miss Kelly! We loved your poems!

And it seems that pets are very important to adults of all ages. Thank you all for taking our contest seriously and participating. Finally, thanks to my fellow library colleagues for supporting this contest in taking time out from very busy days to judge the poems.

I hope we’ll hear from you all again next year!

Rhyme or Reason

Poetry Contest Closed May 2, 2009

Dear Readers,

Thanks you all for your wonderful contributions to our second annual poetry contest.  I’m so pleased with the creativity displayed in the writing. It’s been fun reading and posting the entries.

And I’m glad to see friends and families commenting! That’s terrific – keep the comments coming.

While you are visiting and reading the poems, please participate in our pets poll. It’s just for fun – but I know people have pet preferences, so tell us yours.

Our judging panel now has the difficult task of choosing winners. We’ll pick the top three in each age category over the month of May. Because we’ve had 43 poems submitted, it may take us a while to get to a final decision. The number one poem in each age category will be published in Library Happenings – probably in the Fall.

Check back here for updates!

Rhyme or Reason

Cat Love May 2, 2009

When I  struggled with  my grief
And much needed was some joy,
You came up and nudged my hand
With your little catnip toy.
When my eyes were full of tears
And my mind full of despair,
You jumped up on my lap
And gently rubbed my hair.
You purred so rather loudly
That you made me laugh out loud,
You just being there with me,
Lifted that dark cloud.
You could never take the place,
Of the one I miss so much,
But your presence is so helpful
And your love an added touch.
You just love me without judgment,
And you let me feel my pain,
Make me realize there is sunshine
In the midst of lifetime rain.

Dogs May 2, 2009

Dear smelly dogs

You run into the bay

And come out wet

You run around all day

You come when I call

When I throw the ball 

You bring it back

I love you very, very much!

 

Jumping up on my lap

All the time

Running around the back yard

Swimming in the bay

Coming when I call

Licking my face

I love you very, very much!

 

 

You are very soft and nice

I love you very much

You run around the back yard all day

You are very funny

I love you very, very much!

 

 

Dear sweet dogs!

I am May 2, 2009

I am a dove with white wings that can fly,

I am a kangaroo that can jump so high.

I am a cheetah that runs so fast.

I am a penguin that walks with class.

I am a deer that runs so free.

I am a shark who is queen of the sea.

I am a puppy so cuddly, everyone loves to pet.

I am a goldfish trying to swim away from the net.

I am a cat with a brown sparkle in my eye.

I am a bunny at the stage of shy.

I am a monkey that jumps from tree to tree.

I am me.

My Dog May 2, 2009

Burmese Mountain Dog

Burmese Mountain dog

I take care of

YOU

Night

And

Day

I

Watch

You

Play

You

Are My

Playmate for the whole day!

Uncanny Love April 30, 2009

I first loved your mother, a calico

With expressive banter our conversations so

Understood between the two,

Before there even was a “you.”

 

Beneath the floor modeled obsolete screen

She brought forth her offspring, yet unseen

And passed away gently before she could wean.

 

A mother of kittens? I could not be …

Why had such a fate fallen on me?

And I promised her that I’d do my very best

 

Relocation, for us, posed a condition

Life had been dealt with premonition

And two became six before opposition.

 

Unable to care for my offspring and yours

I chose you and shut the doors

Of the love for the others at the SPCA

 

We kept the most playful and charming,

Orange tabby playing fetch in the garden

Thoughts of you amaze me, darling.

 

Leon, we miss you so, having slipped away

We’ll never forget,

I’ll never forget your passing day

 

R.I.P.

My Perfect Pet April 30, 2009

They’re nice and sweet,

But they don’t tweet.

Cute and nice to hold,

Not something that would cause mold.

Rabbits are sweet, but don’t tweet

They’re cute and nice to hold

And won’t cause you mold, like a turtle

A rabbit is soft,

Better than a fluffy white cloth

Rabbits or bunnies

I still think they’re funny.

Pets April 30, 2009

Cats and dogs

Hamsters and ferrets

Rabbits and turtles

Birds and fish

Horses and monkeys

Animals we love as pets

Hold for comfort

So playful and precious; so happy

Each having different ways of showing

Love for their owner and provider

Protector

Protect you if ever in need of protection

A friend

If ever in need of a friend

With pictures on the wall

Posters along every wall if ever go lost or missing

A reward to find you

The home is not the same without you

Hold for comfort

Animals we love as pets

My Funny Dog April 30, 2009

 
 

 

My brother Pluto

Sits human style on the couch

And stares at the floor.