Winners of HSLDA's Annual Poetry Contest

Write a poem in which every new line begins with the exact same letter. You may choose the letter.

Maximum poem length: 20 lines.
Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernable rhyme scheme.

Finalists:

“Coming Spring” by Peter Bott, Nashotah, WI

“Harmony of Spring” by Guinevere Cockey, Tyaskin, MD

“My Color is Love” by Martin Gusky, Jr., Faulkner, MD

“Moon Jellyfish” by Samuel Richardson, Bluffton, SC

“Best of the Best” by Jordan Ashton, Charlton, MA

“Palette Pondering” by Nora McDaniel, Streetsboro, OH

“Coronavirus Composition” by Clare Roberts, Navarre, OH

“Secrets of Nature” by Brooke Wrona, Belmont, MI

“Love and Loss” by Tayli Oxendale, Denison, IA

“God Created Spring” by Peter Bott, Nashotah, WI

“Wet Weather” by Zoë Coughlin, Sabetha, KS

“Strive to Care” by Hayden Hughes, Newtown, CT

“In the Woods” by Sophia Coppin, Bainbridge, WA

“Tongue Twister” by Luke Larson, Signal Mountain, TN

“Liberty When Finished” by Hannah Phan, Centennial, CO

Category 2 (11–14)
Write a three-stanza poem in which the first letter of each new line spells the message “SPRING IS HERE” or spells “SPRING” as three couplets

Maximum poem length: 6 (“SPRING”) or 12 (“SPRING IS HERE”) lines.
Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernable rhyme scheme.

Finalists:

“Spring is Here” by Abby Price, Whittier, CA

“The Wonderful World of Spring” by Elise Amy, Wake Forest, NC

“The Magnificent Spring Has Arrived” by Sierra Neukam, Newburgh, IN

“The Essence of Spring” by Eden Upshaw, Atlanta, GA

“May Day” by Ingrid Slocum, Cazenovia, NY

“Remember Our Past” by Charlotte Dull, Arlington, VA

“Ethereal Dance of Spring” by Sarah Westra, Grand Rapids, MI

“Nonetheless, Spring” by Lucy Combs, Colorado Springs, CO

“Art of the Garden” by Veronica O’Brien, Easton, PA

“Enduring Light” by Elizabeth Roth, Napoleon, OH

“Happiness” by Isabel Cockey, Tyaskin, MD

“When Nature Comes to Life” by Benjamin Meyer, Indianapolis, IN

Category 3 (15–19)
Write a poem in which each new line begins with consecutive letters of the alphabet. You may choose which letter you start the sequence with.

Maximum poem length: 26 lines.
Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernable rhyme scheme.

Finalists:

“Remembrance in Poetry” by Sara Flank, Northlake, TX

“A Paschal Sonnet” by Joy Hibshman, Palmyra, PA

“Prey and Predators Paradise” by Abigail Mongillo, Martinez, GA

“The Bard” by Chloe Olliff, University City, MO

“Red Riding Hood, in verse” by Emma Litchfield, Mount Desert, ME

“Patchwork Quilt” by Sophia Darvin, Stroud, OK

“Passing Seasons” by Allyn Carmichael, Manton, MI

“The Sacrifice Unseen” by Addison White, Centreville, VA

“My Confidant” by Bethany Campione, Waxahachie, TX

“The Fight” by Zechariah Robinson, Laurel Hill, FL

“Translation” by Abigail Lyman, New Orleans, LA

“Editing Perfection” by Allena McLaughlin, Bucyrus, OH

“Who I Am in You” by Madison Russo, Sterling Heights, MI

Read the example poem “There Isn’t Time” by Eleanor Farjeon in which she laments that there simply is not enough time to do all the fun things we want to do. But imagine you had all the time in a day to do everything you would wish. What would you do that day? Answer that question in a rhyming poem.

Maximum poem length: 16 lines

Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernable rhyme scheme

Finalists:

“Until the Night Unfurls” by Lily Phillips, St. Joseph, MO

“More Time in the World” by Nathan Kowalczyk, Centennial, CO

“The Things I Would Do” by Cali Kinney, Laceyville, PA

“If the Clock Stopped” by LilaBeau Davis, Colville, WA

“All the Wonders of the World” by Elena Kole, Carlisle, PA

“Give Me All The Time” by Jordan Ashton, Charlton, MA

“A Play-sure-able Day” by Gabriel Fellman, Newberry Springs, CA

“In the Morning” by Mia Arcedera, Chandler, AZ

“All The Time in the World” by Leah Hanna, Pfafftown, NC

“Not Enough Time” by Ashlyn Derr, Clive, IA

“Hiking” by Jesse Dowdy, Moneta, VA

 

Have you ever thought about the story of Cinderella as seen through the eyes of one of the ugly stepsisters? What was “The Night Before Christmas” like for the mouse who wasn’t even stirring?

Read the example poem “The Embarrassing Episode of Little Miss Muffet” that humorously re-tells the well-known Mother Goose story  as experienced by the poor spider who frightened Miss Muffet. Explore writing a rhyming poem that retells a story (or another poem!) from the perspective of a different character or inanimate object observer.

Maximum poem length: 24 lines

Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernable rhyme scheme

 Morning

What comes to your mind when you think of the morning? It could be blueberry pancakes, doing chores, sunshine flooding your room, or hugs from your family! Or maybe it’s a feeling—excitement, grogginess, or cheer. Whatever it is, share your impressions of morning with us in a poem. 

Maximum poem length: 16 lines.

Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernable rhyme scheme.

 

Finalists:

“Joyous Spring Morning” by Isaac Williams, Kaycee, WY

“A Warm Welcome” by Scarlett Opoka, Amherst, VA

“Lovely Morning” by Aubree Fiammetta, Hendersonville, NC

“A Bright New Day” by Ginna Gehringer, Bishop, CA

“Hail! Child of the Rosy Dawn” by Samantha Coburn, Rogers City, MI

“In the Morning” by Johnny Radowski, Tinley Park, IL

“Groggy Complaints” by Bryson Busching, Brewster, WA

“The Morning Air” by Eleanor Parker, Leesburg, VA

“Morning Thoughts” by Abel Kiss, Sterling, OH

“In the Merry Morning” by Jude Martin, Millville, PA

“My Fun Morning” by Katelyn Brown, Colorado Springs, CO

“Mornings by the Ocean” by Sophia King, Milton, GA

“Morning Colors” by Gia Vitale, Minooka, IL

 Afternoon

What does the afternoon mean to you? Do you find comfort in the balance between the push of morning and the settling down of evening? Do you enjoy the symmetry of light distribution that can only occur near midday? Maybe you’re fond of afternoon walks in the rain or like to indulge in a specific lunchtime routine. Describe your afternoon impressions to us in a poem.

Maximum poem length: 16 lines.

Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernable rhyme scheme.

Finalists:

“An Afternoon Asleep” by Estelle Lilite, Shawnee, OK

“Good Friday” by Abigail Skrobola, Saline, MI

“Southern Pluff Mud Afternoon” by Samuel Richardson, Bluffton, SC

“Afternoon Seasons” by Elizabeth Mayor, Champlin, MN

“The Afternoon Storm” by Evelyn Davis, Waterford, CA

“The Afternoon of a Hunter” by Claire Defoy, Rio Rancho, NM

“Springtime Afternoons in Nature” by Harmony Hardman, Riverton, WY

“My Afternoon Paradise” by Danielle Wainwright, Fort Leavenworth, KS

“Ghost Colors” by Ivy Townsend, Pierceton, IN

“Afternoon on the Moorlands” by Hedgesville, WV

“Dance of Zenith’s Child” by Ashlynn Coburn, Rogers City, MI

 Evening

How does evening speak to you? Does the dark, sparkling sky fill your mind with thoughts of the future? Do you enjoy how the gentle quiet of night complements the bustling energy of day? Perhaps your evening ritual is curling up on the window seat with the moon in view to pray for your loved ones. Reveal your impressions of evening to us in a poem.

Maximum poem length: 16 lines.

Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernable rhyme scheme.

Finalists:

“Evening” by Molly Glucklich, Janesville, CA

“An Evening Prayer” by Grace Marr, El Paso, TX

“The End of Another Day” by Anna Williams, Holly, MI

“Evening Bonfire” by Grace McKeegan, Steubenville, OH

“Critters at Twilight” by Molly Glucklich, Janesville, CA

“Night Plight” by Lucy Combs, Colorado Springs, CO

“Traveling Home on a Winter’s Eve” by Elias Rupp, Fineview, NY

“The Moon unto the Evening Sun” by Rebecca Doty, Orange, VA

“Evening’s Tranquility” by John Freeborn, Concordia, KS

“The Taste of Night Air” by Olivia Longacre, Newark, OH

“In the Evening Before Sleep” by Anna Jablonski, Lakewood, OH

“The Last Evening” by Brynnae Smith, Colorado Springs, CO

 

Think of two foods that don’t necessarily go together and write about them in a poem.

Maximum poem length: 16 lines.
Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernible rhyme scheme.
Example poem: Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss

Finalists:

“Spaghetti and Twizzlers” by Amelia Andrews, Jonestown, PA

“They Met Again” by Christine Wang, Sunnyvale, CA

“Lobsters & Lollypops” by Elsa Amundrud, Reed Deer County, Alberta

“Mac and Cheese with Brussel Sprouts” by Lyla Ross, Celeste, TX

“Mushroom Cake” by Sylvia Davis, San Diego, CA

“Dad’s Weird Food” by Pitcher Clemons, Blair, NE

“Pizza and Fish” by Tzipora Szeligowski, Goose Creek, SC

“Macaroni & Cheese Pizza” by Matthew Dreke, Knoxville, TN

“The Southern Battle” by Elisabeth Madren, Hampstead, NC

“My Friend Cheryl’s Jam!” by Micaiah Olfert, Glasgow, MT

“Chocolate and Jelly” by Cole Pierce, Juneau, AK

 

Write a poem styled after Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky using whimsical and nonsensical language. 

Maximum poem length: 16 lines.
Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernible rhyme scheme.
Example poem: Jabberwocky, by Lewis Carroll

Finalists:

“Granny Can Bake!” by Delaney Sawmiller, Lima, OH

“To Know What is True” by Annika Phillips, Makanda, IL

“Wabbit, Wabbit” by Sarah C, Pasadena, CA

“Frocean and Orest” by Sarah Bittle, Grand Junction, CO

“Camba Jamba” by Daniel Walker, Whitewood, SD

“The Taming of the Sorkil” by Esther Bahr, Minden, LA

“Friends of Camalay” by Elizabeth Conway, St. Charles, MO

“HOW THE ZIMMY NAPE CHANGED” by Chloe Anglen, Athol, ID

“The Brobby Branch” by Eric Yokley, Gettysburg, PA

“A Funny Day at Blupkin Dupkin Lake” by Lila Moreau, Hayden, ID

“The Children’s Wood” by Rina VanHaitmsa, Ludington, MI

 

Write a poem that uses a metaphor or simile that runs throughout the poem.

Maximum poem length: 16 lines.
Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernible rhyme scheme.
Example poem: A Red, Red Rose, by Robert Burns

Finalists:

“The Clouds” by Molly Glucklich, Janesville, CA

“Dandelions” by Romana Stewart, Dayton, OH

“Resurrection” by Melanie Doyle, Marietta, GA

“Wisdom” by Grace Marr, Flagler, CO

“Waters” by Gabrielle Bergeron, Gonzales, LA

“The Ballad of Boredom” by Noah Ehlenberger, Linville Falls, NC

“The Mask of Immortality” by Mariah Katzin, Emlenton, PA

“To Miss Phillis Wheatley” by Agnes Adams, Staunton, VA

“Voices in My Head” by Bernadette Burt, Shelton, CT

Write a poem about what you imagine life would be like if you were invisible.  

Recommended poem length: 12-16 lines.
Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernible rhyme scheme.

 

Finalists:

“Invisible Me,” by Abby Curtis, Newburgh, ME

“Hidden Me,” by Dahlia Wall, Pearisburg, VA

“If I Were Invisible,” by Daniel Brownlee, Duluth, GA

“My Best Costume,” by Dante Rossetti, Rixeyville, VA

“An Interesting Form of Life,” by Jack Crowell, Davidson, NC

“If I Could be Invisible,” by Markella Davis, Crestview, FL

“If I Were Invisible,” by Nell Woodward, Lenexa, KS

“Invisible Me,” by Sadie Karr, Conestoga, PA

“As Lonely as a Cloud,” by Samuel Macking, Clifton Twp, PA

 

Write a poem that contains all three of the elements in one of the lists below:

1. A plane ticket, a juice box, a cave
2. A violin, an old parachute, a beach
3. A coffee cup, a mysterious letter, a garden

Recommended poem length: 16-20 lines.
Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernible rhyme scheme.

 

Finalists:
“Little Mercer Mercer,” by Abigail Frank, Boca Raton, FL

“Are You Disconnected, Too?” by Alexzandria Rocha, Westminster, CA

“The Happy Hermit: An Expression of Simple Contentment,” by Cherish Kiteck, Marion, IN

“Meet Me in the Garden,” by Ellie Danner, Rockingham, VA

“Garden Breeze,” by Emily Ward, Anniston, AL

“Some Things are Harder,” by Joslyn Cash, Clayton, IN

“A Mouse’s Constellations,” by Karis Riley, Edinboro, PA

“POEMS,” by Luna Galaska, Montclair, NJ

“The Painted Garden,” by Madison Olbering, Hooskett, NH

“Memories,” by Seth Glassett, Broad Run, VA

“Love, Come,” by Tayor Mae Brown, Cleveland, SC

“Gifts,” by Tirzah Woolley, Denton, TX

Write a poem that praises something regularly underappreciated, maybe even disliked, by many people. 

 

Recommended poem length: 20-24 lines.
Rhyme pattern: Poem should have a discernible rhyme scheme.

 

Finalists:
“In Defense of Classical Music,” by John Freeborn, Concordia, KS

“The Skunk,” by Juliana Laquatra, Sarver, PA

“Recognizing the Rain,” by Lilly, Shah, O’Fallon, MO

“Poetry,” by Lydia Woolley, Denton, TX

“#2,” by Melanie Doyle, Marietta, GA

“Wisdom’s Age,” by Molly Glucklich, Janesville, CA

“The Ode to the Mosquito,” by Peter Wallace, Moundridge, KS