Some of our MOST VOTED-FOR Prize-winning Poetry of 2000 - 2003

From "Great Poets of our Time"             I HELPED HIM CRY... Her little son of four years old Seemed to understand When the neighbor’s wife had died And left a lonely man.   He saw him sitting on the porch This man of eighty-one, He went and climbed upon his knee He sat there in the sun.   When the daylight turned  to dusk The little boy returned. His older friend was smiling Although his heart still yearned.   “What did you two talk about?” “Oh, nothing,” he replied. “I just went and sat with him, “I thought I’d help him cry...”              DAVID GOFF From The Sunlit Path FOG AND ICE Dear one, I abandoned you when I was too green to know return is not a simple thing.  One travels far, and then, fate has it so, there is no turning back. Could I escape this dovecote, I would fly to your feet; yet, solitude conquered you, devouring your memory of me. Not Argus, you no longer see more than a stranger. The golden thread in you did not endure, but snapped; about my heart, instead, it strengthened, tangled with regret. Not even raging storms, blackening skies, maddening seas, could drive me home: shipwrecked and forlorn, I met your signal, of fog and ice. LAUREN JEDLAN From "The Sunlit Path"           MY MINISTRY I looked for a ministry far away,   One that would thrill my soul, One that would challenge hundreds             of lives,   Perhaps even numbers untold.   But the Lord said clearly, “Listen to me. I want you right where you are.   I want you here   To comfort and cheer With a deed and a song or kind word.”   People aren’t looking for doctrines          or creeds. These can be found anywhere.   They want to see The love of the Lord   Flowing through you and through me. MILDRED EBY MCKEEHAN   LADY JANE Outside my window is a world beyond my stares... What ever my heart wants to imagine there you are... In every glance I picture you in my mind. A gentle breeze blowing through your golden hair... My heart sees you inwardly with warm affection... Is there any wonder that I could be in love The sky is in your eyes with shades of heavenly blue... Within each look you hold my breath endlessly taking little parts of me. DELORES M. MASSEY "The Helping Hand Anthology" THE DRUNK I was just a drunk on the down side of town sleeping anywhere my wine would lay me down my suit needed pressing, my face could stand a shave I was just a couple of drinks from my grave. Was it that man from a mission or a cop on the beat the hand gently touched me and I got to my feet then hands touched my shoulder I shrugged them away I didn’t want to hear what I knew he would say My feet stood again on good solid ground thru teardrops I could see clearly once more I picked up my bottle then I threw it down turned to thank him for the strength I had found His eyes had tears but on his head was a crown and the hand he extended to steady me down was strong but soft, gentle rather pale marked with several scars about the size of a nail. JODI LaVOHN   Home POEM IMPROVEMENT workshop 2 Guest Register/ Your Own Web Site Hard cover book publishing Book Printing and Binding of your own printed pages Poetry Contest winners' poetry from Helping Hand Anthology, Sunlit Path, Bright Horizon Poetry Contest winners' poetry from Notable American Poets Anthology Reviews of J.Mark book authors Promoting Yourself as a Poet "A Backpack of Milestones" Poetry by Barbara Fischer Off-lease Autos Don't Pay More The J. Mark Cutlery Store Online weekly POETRY winners 2000