Rowena Velasco Poet Free verse

Killick

Killick Poetry Contest // Sponsored by: Craig Cornish
Contest Judged:  9/5/2025 12:25:00 PM
( 7th Place )

Written: August 26, 2025


I never chose the burden
but life pressed stone and rope into my hands.
I lowered it into the unsettled sea,
and waited for balance to return.
The sea murmurs of leaving,
of slipping past every safe haven,
yet I stay, steady on hidden weight
gripped by the understated endurance.

Some may laugh at its rawness,
a patchwork anchor of scraps and stone
but I trust its unshaken clutch.
It does not shine,
it does not speak
yet it keeps me from dissolving.
The killick teaches me this:
strength is not perfection...
it is simply staying when all else pulls away.

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Reason A. Poteet September 4, 2025 at 6:35 AM Love the thought - the staying power of a killick stone when all else pulls away. Thanks for sharing. Rowena Velasco September 4, 2025 at 7:47 AM Thank you.

Paige Hind August 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM A lot in these lines - you did this prompt very beautifully and emotively...."Some may laugh at its rawness, a patchwork anchor of scraps and stone but I trust its unshaken clutch. It does not shine, it does not speak yet it keeps me from dissolving." Rowena Velasco August 31, 2025 at 4:06 AM Thank you so much for this thoughtful feedback! I’m glad those lines spoke to you they were written straight from the heart.

Hilda Greenhough August 28, 2025 at 9:03 PM I love this poem. I love the strong last lines. Rowena Velasco August 28, 2025 at 9:07 PM Thank you so much!

sara Etgen-Baker August 26, 2025 at 4:04 PM beautiful words about how one's resilience is the best type of killick. Wisdom and insight in your poem Best wishes with this entry in the contest, hugs, Sara Rowena Velasco August 26, 2025 at 10:29 PM Thank you so much, Sara! hugs right back to you, my friend!

Bill Baker August 26, 2025 at 2:52 PM There's a lot to say about sticking with it and not turning away, Rowena. Well-written poem with much wisdom included. Thanks for sharing it with us, my friend. Bill Rowena Velasco August 26, 2025 at 10:28 PM Thank you kindly, Bill! I truly appreciate your thoughtful words. I’m glad the message came through, and it means a lot to share with supportive friends like you.