[stylist] NFB Writers' Division: Results of the 2017 Writing Contest, a Thank you

Mon Aug 7 14:42:35 UTC 2017

Robert,
I was thrilled to learn that I received two awards in the adult  poetry category of this year's writing contest.
I seem to have delayed reactions to everything due to many technical and personal complications.
However to be included in such an impressive group of winners is indeed an honor. in thanks to the very many people who have put their energy toward offering this venue to all those with visual impairment, and interested family and friends.
I am cutting and pasting the two poems for those interested. There are personal comments after each poem that might interest all writers.
I am not sure whether this is "kosher" or not, but I seriously doubt that I will enter them in the quarterly because of other priorities.
I always want to see the other winners in every category, so I hope others will share.

Her Library of Congress—Torched

She dies, a whole world dies.
All three buildings of The Library of this poet, 
burned to the ground by time.
The first building held the maps 
of her travels, contest-winning poems, 
newspaper clippings, letters, work history, 
family history, public accomplishments, 
the facade of her life — burned to the ground. 
Saved in the cloud?

The second building, held her known self—
her needs, her giving of time and care, 
her faith, her health problems, her courage— 
a selfless life. The poems she wrote for herself, 
for friends, for family were the essence of her DNA— 
feelings and thoughts distilled onto the page. 
Her loved ones hold these things in memory 
as we envision her in the clouds.

The third building, with its "No Trespassing" sign 
on a velvety green lawn, held cartons 
of private thoughts, childhood traumas, 
inner pride over achievements, of early loves, 
old fears and embarrassments, sacrifices— 
the unrecorded secrets of her inner life— 
gone with the flames? Who can know whether 
or where the libraries of our memories are stored. 

This poem took first place in the 2017 NFB Writing Contest. I wrote it in honor of Jeanne Resnick, a revered member of our poetry critique group at the Scottsdale Senior Center. She was an inspiration by her quality of reading, the great knowledge of poetry, and her encouragement to beginning poets. She was 96 when she stopped attending, and died shortly thereafter.
The poem could be adjusted in its detail for anyone that you want to honor, or share with their family, I think.
				Jacqueline Williams
If I were a Buttonhole, I Might Choose…	

to travel down your flannel hunting shirt.
I would be with you, holding you close 
as you hiked through the woods;

to be that small one at the top 
of your dress shirt, so you needed help 
to get it closed, your tie done right;

to be the ones that your cufflinks pushed through 
to show my loving gift to you—
something you would never buy yourself;

to be the fancy embroidered ones 
down my satin long-sleeved blouse 
you loved to unbutton—without a fumble;

to be the fortified one on my jeans, that told me
whether I had gained or lost an inch around 
my waistline. Oh, those tight black jeans.

I wish I were a buttonhole.

This took Third Place in the 2017 Writing Contest sponsored by the NFB.
It is an example of a personification poem, called by poets, historically, as a         pathetic fallacy.
In protest, I have written many and find they canburrow into the imagination like no other form. 
It means, simply, that you give the qualities of a person, thoughts, actions, emotions, to a thing or an object.
Apparently, I found a judge who agreed!  
Jackie Lee

Time is the school in which we learn.
Time is the fire in which we burn.
Delmore Schwartz	 

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert Gardner via stylist
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2017 2:41 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Cc: Robert Gardner; Robert Newman
Subject: [stylist] NFB Writers' Division: Results of the 2017 Writing Contest

Given below are the winners in the 2017 annual writing contest sponsored by the NFB Writers’ Division. All winners will be notified in writing, and prizes will be mailed shortly. 

We would like to thank everyone who entered the contest, and hope we will see submissions from you for the contest next year. Keep in touch for future announcements. Submissions for the contest next year can be entered from January 1 to April 30. See our Division website, http://writers.nfb.org, for details about the contest and the Division in general. 

Congratulations to all the winners! 

***

Adult Fiction:

First Place; "For Love of a Human"by , Rd Sollars, Arizona
Second Place; "Days are Evil"by Robert Gardner, Illinois
Third Place;  Leaving. By Abbie Taylor, Wyoming

Honorable Mention; "Cosmic Bowling"by Shawn Jacobson, Maryland

Adult Non-Fiction:

First Place; There was none this year.

Second Place; Kettle Working for the Salvation Army by Eric Smiley, California

Third Place; Magnificent Meadow by Tony Eames, California

Adult Poetry:

First Place; Her Library of Congress by Jackie Williams, Arizona

Second Place; Silver Cloud Dancer by Lynda McKinney Lambert, Pennsylvania

Third Place; If I Were a Button Hole by Jackie Williams, Arizona

Honorable Mention; Eternally Intertwined by RD Sollars, Arizona

Stories for Youth:

First Place; What Do You Eat? By John Batran, Colorado

Youth Contest:

Elementary Fiction:

First Place; My Special Horse by Ruby Spears, Louisiana

Second Place; Magic On Ice by Joshua Fields, Illinois

Third Place; Pokemon by William Souza, California

Elementary Poetry:

First Place; Misconceptions by Delaney Brooks, Virginia

Second Place; Orange by John Paul Corman, New Jersey

Third Place; Church by John Paul Corman, New Jersey

Middle School Fiction:

First Place; Oh No! I’m Stuck In a Nightmare by Monserath Espinola, California

Middle School Poetry:

First Place; Needed Chevy Truck by Levi Carter

Second Place; Of Man and Nature by Rocco Romeo, California

High School Poetry;

First Place; Untitled by Chloe Ashcroft, Louisiana
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