Migrations and Visions: Poetry from Sol

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Twice a month, Sol Magazine sponsors poetry contests, and from the results, produces an electronic poetry magazine, published on the last day of each month. The topics are on a variety of subjects about nature and the nature of humanity. Our purpose: to foster the reading and writing of short poetry.

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To set the mood for the cold of January, we'd like to present this poem by D. K. Kennedy.

Reaping January's Cold

As the seeds of winter grow,
Sprouting ice and snow,
I take no childish delight.
My bones have grown too old.

Thanks, Donna. Our sentiments, exactly!

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NOTE: The results of "Migratory Birds," "Vision Quest" and "January" appear here. Only the winning poems are published here. For a full copy of our magazine, e-mail DMHT67B@Prodigy.com

HONORABLE MENTIONS

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Visions

I need no hypnotist probing my past,
Nor prophesying gypsy's crystal glass.
I live this moment, caught in time,
Only the present is really mine.

Don Castiglioni, Austin, TX

Judge's comments: Good rhythm and rhyme conveying words of wisdom.

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Mind Quest

Beyond earth's boundaries,
My mind travels fast and free
To distant stars and planets
That only my dreams can reach.

D. K. Kennedy, Altoona, PA

Staff comments: simple writing to bring us elegantly to the topic: Vision Quest.

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The Magical Birds

Soft down feathers whirl about the moon,
As magical birds take flight,
They will follow nature's croon,
And fill the sky with a marvelous sight.

Cassandra Kosovich, Troy, MI

Judge's comments: Stands in awe and appreciation of nature's mysteries.

Staff comments: Good rhythm, like a dance.

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Passages

The geese pass overhead
And seasons come and go.
The world goes on around me,
But I am lost without you.

JCMurray, Altoona, PA

Staff comments: Tender commentary, good comparison.

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Migratory Birds

We're thankful for
The birds that stay,
But we envy those
Who go away.

James E. B. Sandage, Oklahoma City, OK

Judge's comments: Good point made here, stated concisely and poetically. The poet might consider making "those who go away" into "those that go away" to be consistent with "birds that stay."

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Spirit Brothers

Stripped bare to the waist
Running through the trees
Listening to the wolf's howl
Echo on the breeze

Paul Shay II, Boise, ID

Judge's comments: Great word-picture of excitement, action and freedom.

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Fount

Ideas run through fields of green,
Through open door and alleyways,
Float on clouds and shooting stars,
Then fill the page in front of me.

Pat Tabella, Providence, RI

Judge's comments: (Those fields are) where the poet's thoughts have been before becoming a poem.

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In Flight to a Warm Heart

Winter feelings make my spirit fly
Like a frosty feathered bird
Migrating to a warmer roost
My soul nestles in your heart

Nina Jo Tyler, St. Louis, MO

Judge's comments: Nice appropriation of theme into the realm of the human heart.

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Fly Ways

At night, do they follow the stars...
By day, orient by the sun...
These black and lively flocks
Migrating the slanted light of the sky.

Betty Ann Whitney, Land O' Lakes, FL

Staff comments: Joyous recognition of nature, poetically rendered

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Swallows

Swiftly dancing river skimming dark wings sweeping
Arrowlike amongst the trees
Autumn rowans flaming on wires roosting soon departing
Summer seeking far across the seas

Courtenay Young, Houston, TX

Staff comments: Rich, layered use of language dancing through the theme.

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THIRD PLACE - Migratory Birds - below

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Birds

Some silent bell rang
Now the birds are here
Huddled in the branches
Gossiping about last summer

Holly Solt, Lauderdale, MS

Judge's comments: Personification of the birds made me smile.

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THIRD PLACE - Vision Quest - below

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The Companion

You're my other, my Beresheet,
Companion every night
In dreams a touch, a scent, but never sight
Now I dream of finding you by day.

Courtenay Young, Houston, TX

Judge's comments: Romantic quest to fulfill a longing vision.

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SECOND PLACE - Migratory Birds

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Perennial Sigh

Winter's icy fingers
Reaching through the chinks
How I wish I'd migrated
With those Bobolinks

Lois Lay Castiglioni, Galveston, TX

Judge's comments: Expressive title, rhythmical verses, easy to identify with!

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SECOND PLACE - Vision Quest

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In Winter as in Summer

Seeking them out with keen
Awareness, the subtle signs
To chip away the pieces that
No longer serve our vision.

Betty Ann Whitney, Land O' Lakes, FL

Judge's comments: Poetically urging discernment; meaningful title.

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FIRST PLACE - Migratory Birds - below

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A Hungry Mass

Lifting from the harvested fields
In darkening skies, the clouds
Of feathered flight
Seek refuge for the night.

Pat Barber, Edgewood, MD

Judge's comments: Dramatic scene, well-painted.

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FIRST PLACE - Vision Quest - below

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The Meaning of Life

Ascetics climb Tibetan peaks
To search the endless skies.
But I know where the secret lies,
Within my daughter's eyes.

JCMurray, Altoona, PA

Judge's comments: Simple, yet profoundly beautiful.

Staff comments: This poem uses rhyme without effort, in a way that makes us forget, for a moment, that it is poetry, and instead we climb, with the poet, those mountains to find the secret of life.

The winner of our First Place Poetry Contest (Topic: January) is:

Monotone

I can see
no sun, nor moon, nor stars,
just the chill grey isolation of January,
and cold, persistent rain.

Patricia Tabella, Providence, RI

Comments: Title and poem match, image is offered well, has that "touch" that connects; depicts emotion of dreariness without relief; good description of a cold day, desolate; portrays the full flavor of January's bleakness.

A copy of "Writing from the Inner Self," by Elaine Farris Hughes, is on the way to Pat. Thanks to all who entered our contest. First Place Winners: join us again next month for "February."

Send comments, questions, advice to: DMHT67B@Prodigy.com

Snail mail: Sol Magazine, P.O. Box 580037, Houston, TX 77258-0037

Phone number: 1-281-333-3741

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Write to above address to be added or deleted from our mailing list.

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Do you want to be a judge, guest editor, interviewee? Tell us.

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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, 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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See our contest website or last contest for current guidelines. We do not accept entries that make use of graphic language, touch on partisan politics, or support particular religious views.

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We correct grammar and spelling errors, and often add a leading capitol to the start of every line without asking permission or forgiveness. We usually ask about other changes. If you use punctuation, expect us to make it consistent throughout your entry. If you use foreign words in your entry, do not expect publication of your entry without verification of content. If it requires research on the part of our staff, we may refuse your entry.

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