The Songbird Still Sings --POTD Premiere Contest Winner

2025 Poetry Marathon Mile 14  Contest // Sponsored by: Mark Toney
( 1st Place )

Written: September 04, 2025


They said the songbird
her wings twisted and torn
should quiet herself...
that the sky held no place
for the fragile or the worn.

Yet she kept a sky tucked inside her - a 
place untouched by any hand.
At daylight she let her voice rise
and though her body stayed earthbound,
her song lifted past the edge of flight.

The wind slowed to listen,
branches bent nearer
and the horizon seemed to pause,
stirred by her willfulness .

Each note unlaced an old wound,
each chorus pushed against the walls
of a world that once turned her away.

Her feathers never mended,
yet her dream grew wide enough
to shelter every broken one who followed.

From her we understood:
reaching the sky
was never about wings at all.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Date: 9/9/2025 2:59:00 PM
Congrats on your Trophy Win, Rowena, and congratulations on your POTD honor, my friend. I've not been keeping up this month and must have missed this post. Enjoy your special day of recognition! Your poet friend in Texas, Bill
Login to Reply
Date: 9/9/2025 12:24:00 PM
Dear Rowena, congratulations for your shining trophy win in Mark's contest with your exquisite poem that brings me to a place where the beauty of perseverance, surrender, love and inspiration is born from pain, strength and aspirations. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Login to Reply
Date: 9/8/2025 4:57:00 PM
Mister Mister's 1985 hit song "Broken Wings" came to my mind as I was reading your very well-written poem.
Login to Reply
Date: 9/7/2025 8:17:00 PM
Her feathers never mended, yet her dream grew wide enough to shelter every broken one who followed…yes, quite beautiful! Congratulations on POTD!
Login to Reply
Date: 9/7/2025 11:24:00 AM
Sorry, I am late getting this to you. Congratulations on your POTD win. I enjoyed reading your beautiful write. A Great Ending... Have a blessed day with your wonderful win...........
Login to Reply
Date: 9/7/2025 7:38:00 AM
Once more back to your beautiful poem to congratulate you on your trophy win in the Marathon Mile. Keep running ahead....
Login to Reply
Date: 9/7/2025 3:09:00 AM
Big Congrats on this outstanding poem and your well-deserved trophy win! Thanks a lot for sharing this precious gem and wonderful talent! Blessings! Hugs
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/7/2025 5:53:00 AM
Thank you! (---:
Date: 9/6/2025 10:48:00 PM
Wow! Congrats, dear Kababayang Poet. Thanks for sharing your talent. God bless you.
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/7/2025 5:52:00 AM
Maraming salamat po! (---:
Date: 9/6/2025 7:40:00 PM
Congratulations for the trophy and the POTD. Marvelous poetic message
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/7/2025 5:51:00 AM
Thank you very much!
Date: 9/6/2025 2:30:00 PM
Wow, Rowena. I didn’t realize you won Poem of the Day yesterday! POTD + Trophy Win = Brilliant Poetry :) Congratulations on your first place win on Mile 14 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. We’re well past the halfway point! Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 15 has already started.
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:33:00 PM
Thank you so much! I’m truly honored and thrilled to have won Poem of the Day, and your Poetry Marathon contest makes it even more special. Mile 14 was such an inspiring challenge, and I’m excited to keep running with Mile 15—running shoes on and ready!
Date: 9/6/2025 1:28:00 PM
POTD and a trophy win. Nice
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:47:00 PM
Thanks Tom!
Date: 9/6/2025 12:05:00 AM
Congratulations on your POTD.Well done.
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:47:00 PM
Thank you.
Date: 9/5/2025 10:46:00 PM
Congrats Rowena and Bravo! Just one of many future POTD!
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:46:00 PM
Thank you Randy!
Date: 9/5/2025 8:31:00 PM
I have chills. Because, it ' was never about wings at all. ' Sooooo true in every way. I am curling your thoughts gently around me and my heart, Rowena. Inner strength is very powerful, it can definitely take the wounded and worn to the sky. Many wonderful blessings to you, my dear friend. Congratulations on Poem of the Day. :) Hugs, Brandy
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:45:00 PM
Thank you so much, Brandy! Hugs back!
Date: 9/5/2025 1:10:00 PM
Her courage, so brave so strong, Rowena, stunning metaphors to explore-using the elements and she is a role model for others, encouraging them to sing. Congratulations on Poem Of The Day! Once again your poetry shines brightly. Enjoy your day poetess.
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:44:00 PM
Thank you so much! Your kind words really make my day!
Date: 9/5/2025 10:05:00 AM
Congratulations on your POTD! Have a good weekend. :-)
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:42:00 PM
Thank you Riley!
Date: 9/5/2025 9:43:00 AM
Your words could not be more welcomed. Beauty and freedom reside within, unadulterated. And, as for freedom: Stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage--John Gay. Well done! Congratulations! Robert
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:42:00 PM
Thank you so much, Robert! I really appreciate your kind words, and I love the quote.
Date: 9/5/2025 8:03:00 AM
Congratulations, Dear Poet, this is an amazing poem, and the honour of POTD is well-deserved. The last stanza says it all. Sending your poem to my favourite list. Best wishes.
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:40:00 PM
Thank you so much!
Date: 9/5/2025 8:01:00 AM
Wonderful insights, especially the last three lines, Rowena. Congrats on POTD, Gershon
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:39:00 PM
Thank you so much, Gershon!
Date: 9/5/2025 5:48:00 AM
Lovely poetry Rowena, congratulations on receiving poem of the day… Beryl
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:38:00 PM
Thank you Beryl!
Date: 9/5/2025 5:41:00 AM
This is gorgeous, deep and elegant. Congratulations on POTD honours, spectacular writing. xomo
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:37:00 PM
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words.
Date: 9/5/2025 5:25:00 AM
Your metaphor--“a sky tucked inside her”--is breathtaking. It suggests that flight is much, much more than physical. The final stanza shifts beautifully from individual survival to become a sanctuary for others. A powerful and beautiful write, Ro.
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:36:00 PM
Thanks so much! I’m really glad that part came through—it’s exactly what I was aiming for. Your kind words mean a lot!
Date: 9/5/2025 5:12:00 AM
Congratulations on POTD. May you have a splendid day.
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/6/2025 5:34:00 PM
Thank you
Date: 9/5/2025 4:46:00 AM
That last stanza is wonderful poetry. The whole doggone thing is awesome. Enjoy your special day Ro
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/5/2025 5:06:00 AM
thank you so much!
Date: 9/5/2025 4:09:00 AM
Very deep & thought provoking. Love the journey of this bird and the message of persevering through the hard times. Congrats on POTD!
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/5/2025 4:37:00 AM
Thank you so much! I’m really glad the journey and its message came through to you.
12
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Hide Ad