We throw you for a loop this year.
For the last 25 years, The Eagle-Tribune's Spring Poetry Contest focused on tales of the season. Last year we opened up the contest to pieces related to all seasons, and had an overwhelming response.
For our 26th contest, we decided to shake things up a little more. We changed the topic completely, and asked local poets to send us their work about relationships.
Judging by the more than 300 entries we received in our youth and adult categories for the contest, now held in conjunction with Lawrence's Robert Frost Foundation, local writers like the idea too. Our judges at the Frost Foundation certainly did.
Foundation Executive Director Mark Schorr of Andover said the entries "were of the highest quality."
More than half our winners were first-time participants, including first-place winner Katy Abraham of Methuen.
"I read it every year, because I do like poetry," Abraham said. "I think how brave people are, that they can do that."
This year, Abraham was the brave one, and her poem about her grandchildren won her the top honor. Other poets turned to their parents, children, sweethearts and family members for inspiration.
First Place Winner
Katy Abraham
Age: 65
Hometown: Methuen
Occupation: Program manager at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley
Entered the contest: First time
Inspired by: Time spent with her six grandsons. "I thought being a mom was great, but being a grandmother is fabulous."
'The Gift'
Let's race our bikes as fast as the wind,
Go slow on the hills and I'll let you win.
This is our day, together alone,
No rules, no work, our own time zone.
I'll pitch some balls, and not count strikes.
Or splash in some puddles if that's what you'd like.
Dessert before lunch, now that would be fun,
And giggles and laughs under the sun.
Let's close our eyes, and pretend to rest,
My child of my child, the best of my best.
We'll gaze at the clouds, and let our minds drift,
And let me say thank you for my birthday gift.
Second Place Winner
Matthew A. Kraunelis
Age: 30
Hometown: Methuen
Occupation: Chief of staff to the mayor
Entered the contest: Several times over the years
Inspired by: His father, who recently passed away. "We went fishing a lot. After he died, I would take his tackle box out, and I couldn't open it."
'Tackle Box'
Passed down from father to eager son,
a box of hooks and lures and line,
a box whose weathered wood enshrines
the light of mornings left undone.
Unopened since your last escape,
it holds the dreams of Aprils past,
and laughter that went by too fast,
as the breeze sketched ripples on the lake.
Now with my son, I draw the strength
and courage to continue on.
Your life, though it was short in length,
in loving, it was twice as long.
This box cannot return you to this place,
but lends your smile to your grandson's face.
Third Place Winner
Tim Cremin
Age: 50
Hometown: Andover
Occupation: Actuary
Entered the contest: Several times over the last 15 years; won in 2005.
Inspired by: The relationship between fathers and sons.
'Totaled'
"Totaled," was all he said, eyes on the wreck
as he circled it, change as always
jingling in his pocket. And he would know,
having worked his way up from adjuster
to whatever he is now. He wouldn't say more —
would rather I taunt myself with what he must
be thinking, having given me the car
a month ago — not a scratch in its six years,
and every scheduled maintenance done. And me
not knowing squat about insurance or cars,
and not caring to listen even if
he tried to tell me how long he saved up
his paper route money to buy his first car
because nobody ever gave him anything
he had to earn it all, so now do I feel
close enough to worthless?
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Honorable Mention
Bill Gleed
Age: 45
Hometown: Danville, N.H.
Occupation: Runs the Robert Frost Farm in Derry, N.H.
Entered the contest: First time (thanks to his mom)
Inspired by: Life near his former home in Fremont, N.H.
'Tree Swallows'
I.
Since last spring, tree swallows swoop and hang lefts
on black, wingtip dimes, elliptical. Pointed.
He follows where she goes.
They sat a-courting on my fence post.
II.
They eye the cedar nest-box.
She brings a bit of fluff from somewhere
He brings a found feather, a bit of string.
She brings a twig
He swoops the river and eats mosquitos.
In the morning I hear their song, or what I think is their song.
Him first, then her.
They build a circle of the things they find,
bits of other failures.
They do not mind.
Every day is still new, and every thing is still out there.
III.
There must have been eggs, because now there are chicks.
He races over the river in swoops
She alternates with him all day long in the warm sun.
Back to the nest box they bring the dragonflies
and stuff them down hungry gullets.
The dragonflies laid their eggs already anyway.
Honorable Mention
Alysia Alberti
Age: 18
Hometown: Lawrence
Occupation: Recent graduate
Entered the contest: First time
Inspired by: Her cousin David, a U.S. Marine stationed in Iraq.
'A Hero Within'
The nights get lonely
The days get cold
I feel as though I can't go on
I felt as though I wanted to die
But something keeps saying to me
"You can get through it you'll do fine"
But where the voice is coming from
I do not know then I hear
"You're just messed up don't get all worked up about it"
As the voice continues I start
To think do I have a hero
Within or am I crazy
But then I think and I know
The voice was yours
And you are a hero with in
To me and I always
Hope you will because you
Made the light shine for me
And I am no longer blind
And for that I thank you with
All my heart and soul
Next Week
Find out who won in our youth division.
Poets invited
You might have heard of a poetry slam.
The Robert Frost Foundation is quite kind — they prefer poetry hoots.
All are invited to their Super Hoot, 12:30 p.m., Saturday, May 10, at the Lawrence Public Library, 51 Lawrence St.
Some of the winners will be on hand to read their work, but any poets can come and share their verse.
