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Premiere Contest WinnerThe Songbird Still Sings

2025 Poetry Marathon Mile 14  Contest 
Sponsored by: Mark Toney
Contest Judged:  9/6/2025 12:49:00 PM
( 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

Poem

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12
Gauthier Avatar
November 24, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Congrats on your fine finish in Mark's Marathon ~ great poetry, Rowena
Velasco Avatar
November 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate it.
Watts Avatar
November 24, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Hi Rowena Congratulations on your placing in this contest, well deserved with this lovely uplifting poem of strength and belief in oneself that like the songbird one can achieve the end goal by just being. Cheers Christine
Velasco Avatar
November 24, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words.
Ashley Avatar
November 22, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Dear Rowena, congratulations for your excellent marathon run and for your wonderful final placement. It was a joy to become acquainted with your exceptional poetry. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Velasco Avatar
November 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Thank you so much for your kind message. It was truly wonderful getting to know your work throughout the marathon…! I’m grateful for your encouragement and for the warmth you’ve shared.
Dietrich Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Excellent poetry, Rowena. Congrats on your awesome marathon placements
Velasco Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Thank you!
Daniels Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Dearest Rowena ! Congratulations on your 5th placement in the 25 Marathon. Your achievement & round placements were truly outstanding given the experienced & seasoned poets you contested against. Your beautiful sensitive Heart shone through your poems I have read. Mostly I salute your endurance, stamina & belief in yourself. Keep shining your Light as Spirit puts you through more mills to show you just how much you are able to attain. Hugs, Ghairo.
Velasco Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Thank you so much, Ghairo. Your words really touched me. I’m grateful for your encouragement and for taking the time to read my poems. Congratulations to you as well! I’m so glad to share this journey with such inspiring poets (-;
Toney Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Rowena, congratulations on your winning Fifth Place overall in my 2025 Poetry Marathon FINAL, and the Best New Voice / Breakout Poet Award! Thank you so much for contributing to the success of the contest. The poems of the 37 Qualifiers can be accessed from my current "Finish Line" blog post. Time to take off those running shoes and give those feet a rest!
Velasco Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Thank you so much, Mark! I’m truly honored to place Fifth Overall and receive the Best New Voice award. Congratulations to all the Qualifiers…what an amazing journey! Time to rest these running shoes… for now.
Evans  Avatar
October 19, 2025 at 11:36 PM
I really enjoyed this read inspirational in its own right..!!
Velasco Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Thank you, Jeff!
Valles Avatar
September 30, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Congrats on POTD! Great work!!
Velasco Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Thank you!
Fowler Avatar
September 18, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I really enjoyed this spiritually uplifting song Rowena. Thanks for sharing and twice congratulations! :)
Velasco Avatar
September 19, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Thanks! I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Appreciate the kind words!
M  Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Just beautiful Rowena…Belated Congrats on POTD! Debx
Velasco Avatar
September 17, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Thanks Deb!
Baker Avatar
September 9, 2025 at 2:59 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
Velasco Avatar
September 17, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Thank you so much, Bill.
Ashley Avatar
September 9, 2025 at 12:24 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
Velasco Avatar
September 17, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Thank you so much, Susan Your beautiful words truly touch me. I’m deeply grateful for your kind congratulations and for seeing the heart of my poem. Your support and warmth mean so much!
Pettit Avatar
September 8, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Mister Mister's 1985 hit song "Broken Wings" came to my mind as I was reading your very well-written poem.
Velasco Avatar
September 17, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Thank you so much That’s such a meaningful connection—‘Broken Wings’ is a powerful song. I’m touched my poem brought it to mind for you.
Rodrigues Avatar
September 7, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Her feathers never mended, yet her dream grew wide enough to shelter every broken one who followed…yes, quite beautiful! Congratulations on POTD!
Velasco Avatar
September 17, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Thank you so much for your beautiful words. I’m touched that the image spoke to you. Your kind congratulations truly mean a lot to me.
Goldsmith Avatar
September 7, 2025 at 11:24 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...........
Velasco Avatar
September 17, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Thank you so much your kind words mean so much to me. I’m truly grateful for your congratulations and happy you enjoyed my poem. Wishing you a blessed day as well!
George Avatar
September 7, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Once more back to your beautiful poem to congratulate you on your trophy win in the Marathon Mile. Keep running ahead....
Velasco Avatar
September 17, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Thank you so much for coming back with such kind congratulations I truly appreciate your encouragement—it inspires me to keep running ahead with hope and joy
Gasun Avatar
September 7, 2025 at 3:09 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
Velasco Avatar
September 7, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Thank you! (---:
Agustin Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Wow! Congrats, dear Kababayang Poet. Thanks for sharing your talent. God bless you.
Velasco Avatar
September 7, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Maraming salamat po! (---:
Dietrich Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Congratulations for the trophy and the POTD. Marvelous poetic message
Velasco Avatar
September 7, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Thank you very much!
Toney Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 2:30 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.
Velasco Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 5:33 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!
Meadows Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Congratulations on your POTD.Well done.
Velasco Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Thank you.
Freie Avatar
September 5, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Congrats Rowena and Bravo! Just one of many future POTD!
Velasco Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Thank you Randy!
Nicole Avatar
September 5, 2025 at 8:31 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
Velasco Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Thank you so much, Brandy! Hugs back!
Anaya Avatar
September 5, 2025 at 1:10 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.
Velasco Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Thank you so much! Your kind words really make my day!
Gorelick Avatar
September 5, 2025 at 9:43 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
Velasco Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Thank you so much, Robert! I really appreciate your kind words, and I love the quote.
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