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Heart-Shaped Stones

Strewn beneath my shuffling feet, they lie in peace at water’s edge— polished stones of shape replete atop and side by side they wedge. Searching now and then I find a sight so rare, my gaze transfixed. Amid the coarse and unrefined lies treasure in between and twixt. A mermaid’s love lies nestled there, brought ashore in dead of night. Heart-shaped stones she placed with care— a gift for us of truth and light. 1st Place MERMAIDS Contest Sponsored by: Line Gauthier Thanks, Line

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Brenda Chiri

Date: 10/28/2019 5:17:00 AM

Congrats on your 1st place win my friend! It was just lovely! I tried to write for this contest but alas I could not! But so glad one as talented as you got it!;) beautifully written!;)

Mark Peterson
Date: 10/28/2019 4:24:00 PM

I was genuinely surprised at this result, and especially so after reading some of the other entrants’ work. So nice to see your words, in any case.

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 10/1/2019 5:01:00 PM

A truly ethereal poem, touched with mermaid magic, a well earned congratulations on your win, Mark!

Mark Peterson
Date: 10/11/2019 3:07:00 AM

Thanks so much for your thoughts and appreciation. I was pleased this gentle poem found favor in the judge’s eye.

Jeanne Mcgee

Date: 10/1/2019 3:40:00 PM

I love to look for heart shaped stones on the shore...I will always think of them as being placed by mermaids now. Wonderful write. Congrats on the 1st place win.

Mark Peterson
Date: 10/11/2019 3:04:00 AM

I think it’s a lovely notion and happily spend hours sitting on the shore, seeking them for our collection that will be placed in a glass cylinder above the ashes and remains of our pets dating to 1978 out in that sector of our garden. Thanks so much for commenting.

Gary Smith

Date: 10/1/2019 5:40:00 AM

Excellent poetry Mark, much enjoyed. :)

Mark Peterson
Date: 10/11/2019 2:59:00 AM

I’m so grateful to hear that my poem had such a lovely impact on you. Keeps me going.

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 9/30/2019 8:50:00 PM

Congrats on your winning entry. Bless you

Mark Peterson
Date: 9/30/2019 11:19:00 PM

Regina, I welcome your encouraging thoughts. It’s a surprise to me that I placed on top, compared with such admirable, capable and creative competition, any of whose poems I should have glad to have written myself.

Elsia Elle

Date: 9/30/2019 5:28:00 PM

Gee

Mark Peterson
Date: 9/30/2019 8:16:00 PM

Thanks, Elisa. A comment short but full of meaning for me.

Elsia Elle
Date: 9/30/2019 5:28:00 PM

Geensi sweet

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/30/2019 3:04:00 PM

this is so tender and sweet, to make it about the mermaid! It has a magical quality to it, Mark. Is it for mermaid contest?

Mark Peterson
Date: 9/30/2019 8:19:00 PM

Yes, for the contest. My wife wrote a story about mermaids doing this for her novel, and I waxed poetic about it. Your recognition of its magical quality makes me feel very good. So thanks very much, dear one.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 9/30/2019 2:22:00 PM

The wonders of nature intertwined with the fantasy of a lovely mermaid make this poem pure delight Mark. I hope you entered this in the contest. xxoo

Mark Peterson
Date: 9/30/2019 8:27:00 PM

Can’t you just see mermaids sneaking ashore to do this. My wife wrote the story for her novel. The mermaid came ashore and heard the humans arguing. She was sad but, full of love, so she did this, hoping to infect us with her concern. We have a collection of them, which we will use to create a garden of memories for our departed pets. Thanks so much for your kind expressions my lovely friend.

Debra Squyres

Date: 9/29/2019 10:52:00 PM

I like the idea about the stones in this. You took objects and imagination and made a lovely poem of them. Enjoyed the read.

Mark Peterson
Date: 9/30/2019 8:29:00 PM

Debra, I’m so happy you took the time to sample my work. Sentiments that resonate so well with my intent.