Earlier this month, we ran a poetry contest to celebrate National Poetry Month and Raleigh’s first ever poet laureate position. We challenged you, our readers, to craft a poem using only the words that appeared in one of our newsletters (here are the original contest guidelines if you want to give it a try).
Turns out, you’re all poets and we didn’t even know it. We were beyond thrilled to read the original, creative, and awe-inspiring poems Raleighites created from our newsletter. Check out the poems below and vote for your favorite in our online form.
“Why not a Haiku?” By Dave F.
Springtime in Raleigh.
Spray tans are the exception.
Clear natural sun.
“The Comeback” by Monica D.
I bid adieu to the season of brutal cool.
Enter in the new and sunny days of spring.
Honor your need for new rules today, clear your head of the hurricanes of yesterday.
Now you appear full, glowing, and take up space,
The girl is ready to launch her comeback.
“Build Your Own” by Susan J.
This is the place to build your own unique bliss.
Open to all, the rules couldn’t be more simple:
Turn into a poem that delivers glowing without the sun.
Throw some fun into this!
You do not need to submit to discarded laundry.
Explore your own self-guided tour
Find, taste and launch the happy memory remnants and set your sights on a favorite spot we’ll never forget.
Be the echoes of your secret night market.
“Good Morning” by Tina B.
This time of year
A new season
A second chance
A sunless day
Set to expire
When early morning
Can bring erasure
Of worry
We’ll bid adieu
To ambivalent blue
Speaking our goodnights
To a bitter yesterday
Spring is here
Singing quiet notes of alarm
To launch
The anonymous tomorrow
“A Curious Quatrain and Couplet” by Fred D.
A poem here? At a poem fair?
We’ll find poems anywhere.
Some we write only to play.
This one we craft for RALtoday.
Is it this or that? Is it its or it’s?
Seriously, can we now call it quits?
“Speaking of Raleigh” by Gary G.
it couldn’t be more simple
it’s a unique space with good vibes
seriously good
every minute from early morning to the echoes of the night
and new challenges that enhance your experience
bid adieu to a brutal weekend
you can still find bliss and low stress
don’t miss out
see for yourself
this is the place
open to all
you’re officially invited
no registration required
