June 2024 Poet Laureate Contest

[Wille-Harlia]

Islanders, it's time for the June 2024 Poet Laureate Contest!

For this iteration of the Poet Laureate competition, all submissions must focus on the concept of seasons (one particular season, change between seasons, etc.). Submissions can be any style of poetry. Enjoy yourselves and have fun!

Only citizens may submit, and there's a limit of one poem submission per citizen. All entries must be your original work. Please PM all entries to Wille-Harlia by 12:00 AM UTC (8:00 PM EST), Monday, June 10^th. Do NOT post your entries here or otherwise share them with anyone else but Wille-Harlia . Good luck!

[Wille-Harlia]

Attn: Liberdon Aersoldorf Klopstock Kortexia Sulenia Lenlyvit Palman Paffnia Dokansia Yuwa Astrobolt Zaberaz Hapang Hakketomat Kohnhead Woonsocket Shy Guy Flying Eagles Jabberwocky Sandy Shoals Eastern New England Thedairos Haivon United Royal Islands Republic of Tikistan Kanta Hame Ananke II Markanite Central Ruska Aschente Louisistan The Tasmanian Islands Smugglers and Mercs Tanzoria Anisopterra Vivolkha Hahiha / USSR Control Ayunli Mursilis Porflox Kyrizstanislav 13 Court Gaurd Squads Porymonia FiresideCochrane traeton Elythiun herrcrunchwrap komnenia newwinds searonica North Dusan Dootlydoot Ali Faridi tinyask Azatoli nerepiand Tobixland Margaux

[Jabberwocky]

To everything turn, turn, turn...

[Wille-Harlia]

I am extending the deadline until June 14 at 8:00 PM EST because I am lacking submissions.

[Aersoldorf]

I’m dealing with a full blown gout attack right now but hopefully it will subside in time for me to get creative

[Wille-Harlia]

Extending the deadline for a few more days...

[Wille-Harlia]

Sorry for the delay, the Olympics distracted me from this, then I forgot. Liberdon submitted the only entry, so she is by default our Poet Laureate! Read her submission below:

Title: Turning of Fall

The orange sun grows longer,
as I wonder and wander ‘round
Time well-spent in an endless haze,
watching green grass turn to ground

The torn leaves fall down, down, down…
twisting and twirling and leaping
Dancing to nature’s melody
—as I hum too in keeping

Brilliant golds swim in rays
and mix with shades of sangria
While umbers underlie the sight,
forming a mute aria

The leaf piles crunch, crunch, crunch
as I crush them beneath my heels
I pause briefly and strain to hear
what the soft silence reveals

Goosebumps rise along my arms
as a murder flies overhead
Their haunting calls echo downward—
reminding me what was bled

I smile to myself then
even as I lose all my nerve
For I know that I’m not alone,
—we don’t get what we deserve—

Why did God make four seasons?—
if we’re not meant to live them through?
Is there a winter in heaven?
, or is spring eternal true?

I don’t have the answers yet,
but someday, I’ll ask face-to-face
For now, it is enough to know
—He is with me in this race

The first snow drifts down slowly,
bringing with it a bitter chill
‘Till, at last, it’s winter proper
…and my worn body grows still.

[Jabberwocky]

Well done Liberdon. We have a new Poet Laureate.