Premiere Contest WinnerRemember Yourself

I have stood on every shoreline Earth could grow—
watched civilizations peel off like snakeskin,
hands red and raw, throwing words into the wind.
What was it, they asked, what was the answer?

This morning, I walked into a diner in Kansas,
found a cup of coffee that tasted like 1983,
and sipped the ghosts of a thousand endings.
People talk like birds now, high-pitched and fast,
forgetting their wings.

I remember sitting cross-legged in Greece,
listening to poets invent gods out of clay.
They believed the world was a fistful of stars
scattered by children before bedtime,
and that we were made to gather them.

This last time, I come unmasked—no silver suit,
no cryptic message carved in crop fields.
I leave no warnings of doom, no demands for change.
All I have is the echo that never leaves—
a glittering hope beneath the static.

The song that says:
There’s life, there’s life—up here, down there,
and somewhere between the lonely notes
of what could have been and what still waits.

I’ll take my place in the sky once more,
watch as you blink back, eyes wide,
and see what you’ve always been:
Starmen too.

Every one of you, already knowing the tune,
just trying to remember the words.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Kurian Avatar
June 22, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Hi Jaymee, Your poem is a radiant meditation on memory, myth, and human potential. Its language soars with cosmic wonder, yet lands with intimate grace, reminding us that the extraordinary has always been quietly nested within us. A moving, luminous piece. "All I have is the echo that never leaves A glittering hope beneath the static." —this feels like the heart of the poem: enduring and quiet optimistic :)
Rose  Avatar
November 24, 2024 at 1:55 AM
Oh My ! this one made me cry. Jaymee your wonderful congrats !
Thomas Avatar
November 24, 2024 at 10:16 PM
You're too kind, Mystic. This one had a lot of rewrites trying to find its direction. I feel honored that it landed with you. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and encourage my work. I sincerely appreciate it.
George Avatar
November 22, 2024 at 10:23 PM
"I leave no warnings of doom, no demands for change. All I have is the echo that never leaves— a glittering hope beneath the static." Love these lines. A poem of great depth, the imagery, vivid and the language, rich and evocative! Congratulations Jaymee on your top trophy win.
Thomas Avatar
November 24, 2024 at 10:14 PM
Thank you, Valsa. You're always so encouraging, and I appreciate it so much. And thanks for the congratulations. Despite all of our poetic principles, it is exciting to win a thing sometimes xD
Seeker Avatar
November 22, 2024 at 8:06 PM
Deep Buddha-write. Warmest congratulations on the well deserved trophy win, with this exquisite, soulful write, Jaymee, God bless
Thomas Avatar
November 24, 2024 at 10:11 PM
Thank you, Unseeking Seeker. That's really high praise, and I sincerely appreciate it. And thanks for taking the time to read my piece and comment :)
Davey Avatar
November 22, 2024 at 2:21 PM
Oh My Goodness this is amazing!!! SO beautiful and personal it is just simply amazing and 100 percent deserving of the top spot in this contest, congrats a new fav of mine
Thomas Avatar
November 22, 2024 at 2:57 PM
Stahhhhp that! But also, THANK YOU for such a lovely comment. I'm going to come back here and read this when I'm feeling blue. Have a wonderful weekend :)
Dietrich Avatar
November 22, 2024 at 10:46 AM
Great writing. Congrats on a well deserved win.
Thomas Avatar
November 22, 2024 at 2:56 PM
Thank you, Andrea. You are such a great writer and so encouraging. I appreciate your time to comment. Have a great weekend :)
Healey Avatar
November 22, 2024 at 10:01 AM
Very well done, Jaymee. Congratulations.
Thomas Avatar
November 22, 2024 at 2:48 PM
Thanks, Jim. It was a great prompt :)
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