Sol Magazine © 2001
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Our topics touch a variety of subjects about nature and the nature of humanity.  The purpose of our all volunteer organization is to educate poets, and to foster the reading and writing of short poetry.  We are not a vanity press.  Not every poem submitted will be published.  We are a family magazine.  Do not advocate the use of alcohol or drugs in your poetry then ask us to consider your work.  Please read our monthly rules before sending us your work.

HIDDEN CONTESTS:  FAVORITE FORM/FAVORITE TOPIC
WELCOME:
LETTERS
POET'S CHOICE
MOTHER
NOW THAT THE SUN IS HIGHER
RABBIT!
THE BEST POEM OF MAY

Early in May, when we sent out the April Poetry Edition notice to our distribution lists, we included an invitation for our readers to "WRITE US" during May with a favorite poetry form.  The winner, to be chosen at random from those who entered, was offered a copy of "Sonnets from the Classics," by Winifred Schramm.

The winner:  Michelle Marincel
His/her favorite form:  Free Verse
Why:  "My favorite poetry form is free verse which allows me to just say what I want to say in as many or as little words as I feel are necessary for the moment."

Form that received the most votes from Sol readers:  Free Verse

While we received votes for Blank Verse, Cinquain, Free Form/Free Verse, Pantoum, Quatrain,  Skeleton, and Triolet, by far the favorite was Free Form.  We used a random drawing to choose our winner.

Thank you for sharing your favorite form with us.  And thank you for reading our notices.  Look for other hidden contests in future notes from the Editors.
 
 

In a "hidden" contest (found only in an e-mail publication reminder), we asked folks to tell us a favorite topic.  The winner, to be chosen by our editors, was to be given a book from our collection.  That book:  "Tidelines, An Anthology of Galveston Writers," by the Galveston Coalition of Writers.

The winner:  Terrie Leigh Relf
Her favorite topic:  Family Trees

(PLEASE NOTE:  This is not an actual contest, but instead are directions from Terrie were we to actually have a contest using her suggested topic.)

"If I were to present this topic to other poets, I would provide the following directions:  The predominant (and guiding) metaphor of this theme relates to "family trees."  Delve deep within your creative soil this month, and ponder the potential for layered meanings and interpretations.  Structure your poem however you wish.

Consider the following: Did your family's yard have a tree that was a source of daily activities, urban myths, adventures, or conflicts?   For example: a ficus that threatened to uproot your house; a magnolia tree whose pods you had to sweep up on a daily basis, but whose fragrance always reminded you of romance; or a pepper tree whose branches created a secret hiding place from the neighborhood kids.

"Another way to look at this theme is genealogically, where you can create the space to explore family narratives and memoir. For example: a grandparent who shared their adventures about coming to the United States; tracing your cultural or spiritual lineage from a vast array of
possibilities; or a patchwork quilt story about yourself in relation to your daughter, your mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother."

"Reduplication uses alliteration, assonance or consonance, to create a sing-song word-pairing."  Craig Tigerman, Assistant Editor.

FIRST PLACE - Winner of a copy of "Tidelines II:  An Anthology of Galveston Writers," by the Galveston Writers' Coalition.
 

Moch-us Pocus:  Chocolate magic for two in a coffee cup

Lynne Remick, Nesconset, NY

Bib-bob: The evasive motions of an infant resisting the bib.

Joe Boush, Chattanooga, TN
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THIRD PLACE

Pen-again: Endlessly picking up the same inkless pen.

Cliff Roberts, Fort Worth, TX.
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HONORABLE MENTION

Truffle-shuffle: A pig jig.

Lois Lay Castiglioni, Galveston, TX
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HONORABLE MENTION

Fest-fast: Abstinence from parties.

Sarah Quigley, Galveston, TX
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HONORABLE MENTION

Wheeze-breeze:  A gentle wind that triggers an allergy attack.

Eileen Sateriale, Bowie, MD
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Fuzz-phase:  The stage when one's sweater gets nappy.

Coke Brown Jr, Fort Worth, TX
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Bard-card:  A birthday card you compose yourself.

SuzAnne C. Cole, Houston, Texas
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Tar-star:  A North Carolina actress.

Kay Lay Earnest, Smyrna, GA
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Dilly-daily: Everyday practice of hitting "snooze."

Kathy Kehrli, Factoryville, PA
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Cream-dream: Thoughts on the long drive to Krispy-Kreme Donuts.

James M. Thompson, Baytown, TX
 

THIRD PLACE
little woman

the sounds of quiet sobbing awaken her
she reaches for the band-aids but stops
glow-red digits betray the hour
and even quivering in the high-backed chair
he dwarfs her tiny frame
dark doorway, hands on hips
creased brow, deepening frown
her fingers reach for the light switch
but stop
rest instead on his shaking shoulder
squeezing her fingers he pulls gently but urgently
hugs her head to his chest
she feels his trembling chin bobbing against her scalp
shutting tightly her eyes she remembers wistfully
his first pair of shoelaces
wanting badly to tie his shoes

Joe Boush, Chattanooga, TN
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Effective subtle alliteration.  Visual image of the physical size difference is well done.  Strong characterization of the mother's intentional choice of responding in an unfamiliar way to this child who is no longer a child.  Compassion and pathos, mutual and intertwined; this piece leaves much to the reader's imagination yet is solidly on topic.  Beautiful narrative.  Compelling in its sparse imagery, usage of contrast to highlight the grown-up child and the "little woman" mother.  Excellent usage of a childhood memory to tie future, present, and past all together - the final line resonates with the ache of letting go.  Truly excellent.
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Inheritance

A very small mouth
was inherited from Mom, but his
has a red mustache above,
and a red goatee below.
Gray eyes were given, as well,
sometimes sleepy, sometimes piercing
and sometimes more blue than slate.
In 1964, in a burgeoning desert urbania,
tall buildings born from dust,
a slim, red-haired woman with gray-blue eyes
brought forth from herself a future male twin,
and as the bloody newborn became a man,
and as the slim red-haired woman grew larger
and more comfortable,
eventually, he would stand in her spot in her absence,
weeping for the joy of giving.

Coke Brown Jr, Fort Worth, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Interesting narrative.  Use of color words brings to mind strong mental pictures.  Intriguing skip from present descriptives to past, then back to present, in such a way as to tie the two together inextricably.  Lovely portrayal of the passage of time, and the too-late realization that inevitably comes.  Beautiful concluding lines.
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Unbreakable Bond

A hush, a calm, silence save for
The docile squeal of curved feet
Swaying, back and forth, back and forth
Against varnished oak floorboards.
A sudden breeze, a gust, a chill
Stirs curtain panels to dance.
Striding down the narrow hall
She pauses, a portrait framed in doorway’s light.
A wrinkled palm, an age-creased hand
Reaches out to soothe
Her babe’s troubled wails to coos
While phantom strokes caress her own cheek.
A bond, a pact, a rubber band,
Spanning three generational lines,
Stretches taut then ricochets
From Gram to Mom to son.

Kathy Kehrli, Factoryville, PA
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Nice use of catalog in lines one and five; repetition of "back and forth" is very effective.  Nice rhythm in this one, especially in the last four lines.  Well-done.  Exquisitely particular word choices make for good story-telling.  Beautifully descriptive, and full of tangible emotion, this poem introduces all the elements of the world - the wind, the curtains, the sound of the squeal of curved feet...one can fairly feel the gusting, see the curtains billowing, and see the lone figure stroking the baby's cheek.  A beautiful portrayal of the strength of the bond between generations - beyond anything words can describe.
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SECOND PLACE - Winner of a $5.00 bgc from Barnes & Noble.

Labor Pains of the Heart

Alienated by shadows
of an unknown past,
little solace exists
for a child, drowning
in the tumultuous existence
of a bloodless, papered
connection to those
who surround him.
Holding the child in the endless
circle of solid embrace
a mother prays
that he may one day feel
the connection
to her heart.

Lynne Remick, Nesconset, NY

Blue Rocker Memory

In Mom's encompassing arms,
I lay on her protective breasts;
my head buried in the crook of her neck.
I am carried away
on the gently rocking tide,
her songs, the soft winds
that fill the sails of my soul,
the blue and white rocker, our ship
on the sea of maternal security,
cutting through the tidal waves of
childish cruelty and self loathing.
Her motherly love,
my directing compass.

Cliff Roberts, Fort Worth, TX

FIRST PLACE

Sharp Edges

Green blades stretch­
rampant thistles;
bees dart like
stinger missiles;
cute girls catch
coyote whistles;
Cupid writes keen epistles.

Joe Boush, Chattanooga, TN

Japanese Maples

When I'm lost
in wind's whispers
delicate
maple fingers
touch my face
reminding me
spring has finally arrived.

James M. Thompson, Baytown, TX

Night lizard
On window pane
Stalking moths
Gullet on glass
A pale green
Snapping at what
Is attracted to the light.

Coke Brown Jr, Fort Worth, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Original images and effective alliteration.
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HONORABLE MENTION
Savoring Rose Garden Moments

apricot
brandy roses,
stems holding
cups for bouquets,
snipping room
for summer blooms
drunk with fragrant memories.

Deborah P. Kolodji, Pasadena, CA
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Consistent imagery, reminiscent of Emily Dickinson's "tippler."
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Iainâ's Garden, Still

Wheelbarrow
Sags partially
Hidden in
Scarlet lupines
Languishing
Against the bench
Where he once rested, content.

Martha Kirby Capo, Houston, TX
EDITORS' COMMENTS:  Evokes thoughts of Carl Sandburg's short wheelbarrow poem, crisping out only what the reader needs to know to see.  Clean lines and imagery, with a surprise ending that pulls it all together.
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Bird's Eye View

Egrets in
Mating plumage
Standing like
Spectators in
Tall sea grass
View birdwatchers
Flocking to my beach home steps

Lois Lay Castiglioni, Galveston, TX
EDITORS' COMMENTS:  Almost hilarious mental spectre of the majestic egrets ready to attract mates, gazing in semi-curious wonder (one imagines) upon the flock of birdwatchers rather than their expected mates-to-be.  Wonderful contrast of nature and man.
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Too Dry

May’s flowers
Wilt in noon’s heat.
Stray showers
Have come and gone.
Cloudless skies
Greet the postman
Crunching grass across my lawn.

Mike Gregory, Corpus Christi, TX
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Simple facts show "what is," quietly leading to and enhancing the final punch in the last 2 lines.
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Reawakening

Lavender
Buds resurrect.
Lilac fumes
Hang like a cloak.
Lush green leaves
Bathe deadened boughs.
Winter masked and spring invoked.

Kathy Kehrli, Factoryville, PA
EDITORS' COMMENTS: tangible scents and sights unfold in this plethora of coming alive once again in the spring.  Beautiful closing line.
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Love Bugs In The Air

Now it's Spring
grass grows greener,
tiny buds
on orange tree
promise fruit
if all goes well,
love bugs are everywhere.

Janet Parker, Leesburg, FL
EDITORS' COMMENTS:  Sweet, full of the spirit of spring.  Lilting lines, delicate diction.  Very nicely done.
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Dilemma

Tall wild weeds
high as my head
still growing
no end in sight
and I stand
lost in this field
and the lawn mower is broken.

Cliff Roberts, Fort Worth, TX.
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Humorous touch provides clever irony.  Strong images. Saving the dilemma for the last line adds unexpected humor.
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The Trees on the Street

Bradford pears
Showing full bloom.
White flowers,
A delicate,
Floral sight.
Only to drop
Their dead blossoms on the cars.

Eileen Sateriale, Bowie, MD
JUDGES' COMMENTS:  Strong contrasting images linger long in the mind.
 

FIRST PLACE - Winner of a copy of "Intaglio," by the students of Panola College.

Childhood

Summers on the screened porch
we play with baby rabbits,
giggling as velvet lips nibble bare legs,
hopping together over splintery floor.
We pull up tiny carrots in the garden,
taste orange sunshine with our pets.
Settling them in our laps,
we trace the veins on their ears,
listen to the hearts beating with ours.

SuzAnne C. Cole, Houston, TX
EDITORS' COMMENTS:  Vivid descriptions, heart-warming well-painted word-picture, and meaningful tie-in at the end between the lives of both baby rabbits and baby humans.  Lovely portrait of both children and rabbits.  Brings the reader into the room and onto the floor.
 

Genshi Bukadan (Original Child Bomb)

Ashen images, gray-green patterns
of humanity, swirled on the ground
near blurred silhouettes on blackened walls
as the city blossomed verdant growth.
Morning glories and day lilies grew
in the ashes and around the bricks:
fissured remnants of second sunrise.

Genshi Bukadan echoed that day
in the mountains and the valleys
but it touched the city in silence
and stroked it with its fiery fingers.
Hiroshima, vast river city
scarlet fire walked your shattered shores
and ashen images swirled away.

James M. Thompson, Baytown, TX

EDITOR'S NOTE:  "Genshi" means the primitive/primordial/original state.
COMMENTS:  Wonderful juxtaposition of images and concepts throughout. Sibilance in both stanzas invokes the sound of hot ash swirling in the winds. Haunting.  Solemnly recalls awful horror.  Wonderful contrasts between verdant life and fiery ashen death.  Powerful imagery.

Sol Magazine will mail no book prizes to poets outside the United States of America.  Book gift certificates from Barnes & Noble will be substituted.  No exceptions.
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Have a comment?  Want to be added to our list?  Want to be taken off our list?
Write to us at:  Sol.Magazine@prodigy.net

Or at:
Sol Magazine
P.O. Box 580037, Houston, TX  77258-0037
Phone number:  (281) 316-2255 weekdays 8-5 Central.

Sol Magazine's Website:  http://www.sol-magazine.com

So you want to be judge, guest editor, interviewee?  Tell us.  Judges are asked to write a guest editorial on a topic we set before being invited to judge a contest.
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All poetry remains the property of the poet, except Sol Magazine reserves the right to publish all poems (once) at a future date, and/or to post them to a web page.  NONE may be reproduced without permission of Sol Magazine.  Electronic forwarding is permitted as long as no portion of this magazine is changed and all credits are given.
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Sponsors in 2001:  Mary Margaret Carlisle, Lois Lay Castiglioni, SuzAnne Cole, Cliff Thomas Roberts, Marsha Rose Steed.
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Angels in 2001:  Leo F. Waltz.
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Book donors in 2001:  Paula Marie Bentley, Katherine Elmore, Maryann Hazen-Stearns, Glynn Monroe Irby, Peggy Zuleika Lynch, Carlyn Luke Reding, Cliff Thomas Roberts, Kathleen Elizabeth Schaefer, Craig Tigerman.

Corporate book donors:  Barnes & Noble, Bookstop.  New sponsors and angels always welcomed.  Thanks for your support.
 

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