Masked Tenderness Premiere Contest Winner


He toils in dirt on a scorching summer day
a simple man yearning to earn a fruitful pay.
Scars from spades failed to diminish his hopes
in zealous manner, he climbs along rocky slopes.

His seeds of exuberance simmer in parched land
he wishes to save a few pennies for a red band.
The joy on his beloved's face would be a reward
his sweat-soaked wishes more than he could afford.

At twilight he receives earnings of his trades
his previous savings add to cheerful cascades.
A new red band for his beloved's silky tresses
he'd want to stroke her hair in warm caresses.

Her love in sprinkles of blooming lilac pearls
holds his shivering courage in soothing curls.
A whispering solace in mighty oceans of life
melts pain into dripping embrace in heavy strife.

The world has always known him for his stern shades
healing tenderness remains masked beyond dark charades.


July 20, 2020

10-20 lines on MASK Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Mohan Chutani
~Premiere Contest Winner: 1st Place

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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Date: 7/30/2020 8:22:00 AM
Congratulations on your win. A wonderful write. Enjoy your win and day....................
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Date: 7/27/2020 8:43:00 PM
I love the story you've written, Aditi, very moving. Congratulations on your win.
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:33:00 AM
Glad you loved my muse Eve. Thank you for your kind appreciation. Much love! :)
Date: 7/27/2020 12:14:00 PM
Such a moving encounter with a hard-working laborer with a soft heart for his beloved. So touching and well-written, a deserving #1 win for you, my friend. Congratulations! ~ John
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:33:00 AM
I am glad you loved my muse dear friend. Thank you for such kind words of appreciation and wishes John! Blessings :)
Date: 7/27/2020 10:08:00 AM
Such a beautiful moving poem, Aditi--a WINNER! Janice
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:31:00 AM
Thank you for your kind appreciation Janice :)
Date: 7/27/2020 7:12:00 AM
I can see why this one was chosen. Congrats on your win.
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:31:00 AM
Thank you for your visit and kind appreciation Richard! :)
Date: 7/27/2020 7:00:00 AM
Such a beautiful and tender write. You pulled together such wonderful images like love in sprinkles of blooming lilac pearls. Congrats on the top 1st place
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:31:00 AM
I am glad you loved my muse Jeanne. Thank you for your kind appreciation. Much love :)
Date: 7/27/2020 4:02:00 AM
Aditi, healing tenderness of the beloved remains masked but begets whispering solace in mighty oceans of life which are very tough indeed to cross. A sublime reciprocation that you penned so well to get top place in my contest. Congratulations. Mohan.
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:30:00 AM
Thank you for diving deep into my muse to unravel the layers of masked emotions Mohan. Thanks for the placement in your contest. Glad you loved and appreciated it. :)
Date: 7/27/2020 2:58:00 AM
Back with congratulations Aditi, a well deserved win. Tom
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:29:00 AM
Thank you for another visit to congratulate me Tom! :)
Date: 7/27/2020 2:30:00 AM
Congrats!! dear friend...you make us proud...love & hugs...^WW^ :o)
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:29:00 AM
Honoured to make you proud dear friend. Thank you for your kind appreciation WW ^_^
Date: 7/27/2020 1:41:00 AM
Hello Aditi mam... I loved this rhyming poem.Enjoyed each of your beautiful lines.Liked the man in it too;-) It's gonna be in my Favourite list.:-) Congratulations on your top win :-) Much love to you.Keep inspiring us.
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:28:00 AM
I am glad you loved my muse Deepa! Thank you for such kind and generous appreciation and for inspiring me. Much love! Thanks for the fav :)
Date: 7/21/2020 10:47:00 PM
Wonderful character sketch, Aditi. He has come to life!
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:27:00 AM
Glad you loved it Caren. Thank you :)
Date: 7/19/2020 7:42:00 PM
Such a sweet write about a rugged, but tender-hearted fellow. You've got the golden touch, Aditi. See you in the winner's circle with this one. Lovely penned, Gershon
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:27:00 AM
Thank you for your visit and such generous wishes Gershon. Glad you loved my muse :)
Date: 7/19/2020 7:03:00 PM
What a delightful read, Aditi:-) I really enjoy your poems! Good luck in the contest!
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:27:00 AM
Thank you for such kind words Edward! :)
Date: 7/19/2020 4:46:00 PM
Behind that stern image was a man who only for his beloved showed tenderness, a trait seen in many men. Well written Aditi, Good luck in the contest. Hope you're weekend is going well. Tom
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Aditi Mishra
Date: 7/29/2020 4:26:00 AM
I am glad you love my muse Tom. Thank you for your kind visit and appreciation. I've been alright. Hope you are doing well. Blessings! :)
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