Long Qualifiers Poems
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Every so often, my mind wanders back to the summer of my youth, where a specific memory awaits.
Having completed my first year at University, I’ve come home. My younger brother John, fifteen, seems all grown up, so different. He’s gotten taller but it’s more than that.
I'm surprised when he offers me a tour of his new ‘Boyz Only’ clubhouse. I almost wonder if he has missed me while I was away, likely not. The shell of a hand-me-down camper has been converted into a hangout. When I mention that he keeps it surprisingly neat, he snickers and reveals his stash of hidden girlie magazines, safe from the inevitable parental inspection.
I am impressed, and at the same time, I can’t help but feel like I’ve entered a time bubble, a door, a transition. On one hand, it feels surreal; on the other hand, it’s simply an honour to just sit here as a guest.
I talk to John about what it was like to adapt to life in the big city. He talks to me about his recent exploits and his adventures with his friends. It isn’t long before we reminisce about the escapades we shared when we were younger. In our pauses, we’re somehow cognizant that we’re one step closer to adulthood, to what we might call freedom.
In the past year, I haven’t thought much about home and our countryside fields. For me it’s more about what the future has to offer. But on this day, it’s tangible how John and I are setting out on different journeys. He is next in line to fly the coop and I'm sure he realizes it. As we spread our wings, it’s obvious that the gap will only grow.
This precise moment clings golden to me, ever so close to the surface of my heart.
at the forest’s edge
by the old baseball field
youth within reach
AP: 1st place 2024, 2nd place 2026, Honorable Mention 2025
Submitted on September 1, 2025 for contest 2025 POETRY MARATHON MILE 13 sponsored by MARK TONEY - RANKED 1ST
and on November 15, 2025 for contest 2025 POETRY MARATHON QUALIFIERS' FINAL PLACEMENT sponsored by MARK TONEY - RANKED 14TH
Oh, flower in this crannied wall,
how did your roots prevail and sprawl
from seed that landed in a crack-
so shallow, small, in woods set back
from warm sun rays, to grow in shade
with vines about you- old and frayed?
Your blossom glows a vibrant red;
you stand out bright among the dread
of tangled sprays and dried-out brush.
Your velvet petals boldly blush
just like a ruby- precious stone-
shines on a tarnished ring, alone.
My Cinderella, come with me-
this fine glass jar- your slipper be;
a perfect fit, it shields your foot
of roots now clean of forest soot.
Soon, fertile soil you'll thrive upon-
a princess rose on my green lawn,
beside a prince who grew so tall-
and too was rescued, roots and all.
---------------------------------
February 5, 2023
2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers' FINAL Placement Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Dutiful dawn awaits the radiant sun
Clothed in her mantle daubed with streaks of light.
And faithful to the course which life must run,
Receives the baton from retreating night.
Remote yet not alone, for down below
Creation is preparing to rejoice.
Faint silhouettes of trees begin to show,
And birdsong swells to greet her in full voice.
The precious golden orb will soon arise
And dawn prepares to slowly slip away.
A blush of pink expands across the skies;
The sun cuts through at last - a brand new day.
This gift of new beginnings should impart
A sense of awe in every human heart.
'2019 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers' FINAL Placement': sponsored by Mark Toney
submitted on April 1st 2019
April 2019 Premier 6,Any Form ,Any Theme ,Upto A Max Of 14( F O U R T E E N) Lines Poetry Contest : sponsored by Brian Strand
The soil brittle and dry, desiccated in my wasteland,
the dust soared high on the wings of summer wind,
surging on the canopy of the lone magnolia tree,
I nurtured with love for many years.
The dust storm scraping the sands of listless time
rose from the edge of the dusky horizon of strife,
swept away the dislodged leaves.
In their rustle I heard them whisper …
“catch us, hold us before we disappear”.
Through the dust of despair swirling to nowhere
the last rays of the twilight sun filtered,
its spectrum soaked the vestiges of soiled dreams,
clutching them I chased the drifting mirage,
that morphed into the fallen leaves,
flying away from my defoliated magnolia tree,
boughs then bare and unburdened.
Across the melting shadows of the clouds adrift,
through the golden beams of the setting sun,
I soared on the wings of the wafting wind
to catch the fleeting leaves
that took away all my dreams,
I blossomed in my magnolia tree.
At the fringe of my garden’s fading landscape
I heard the rippling wind whisper to me…
“you’ll catch them beyond the twilight terrain”.
_______________
Written : June 13, 2020
February 6, 2023
2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers' FINAL
Placement Poetry Contest
Sponsor : Mark Toney
Pink hue flamingo it must be due to all
the carotenoid pigments feasted on
algae and crustaceans
An elongated neck spirals
and filters such sensations
Sharing color is Okinawa salmon sushi,
bolster lobster and shrimp scrimp
Graceful qualifiers primp poised tropical dwellers
balancing effortlessly on one outstretched leg,
A ballerina’s pirouette in fuchsia tutus’
Statuesque stillness in shallow water
Rosette feathers flair flamboyance
Passionate plumage, blushing boas
Webbed feet tap and stamp below,
an aquatic burlesque show
The flamenco dance named after you
Rose-tinted creature tranquil, wader
Hook-billed blackened lamellae
sieved nobly, an intense look in a print
Cluster buster of pink with lengthy legs that sprint
Art works of Sovereign omnipotence are the stars*
Beauty to behold…midst darkness-gloom
Creation-masterpieces crafted by the supreme Designer
Delights of the eyes for all seasons defying deceits’ obscurity…
Extolling the awesome grandeur of Deity’s highness!
Firmament wonders they are challenging astronomers’ acumen
Galaxy ornaments mystifying astrologers and constellation gazers
Heaven’s jewels enriching astronauts’ intellectual treasures
Influence-compass guiding travelers toward journey’s triumph…
Justifying space scientists’ quest beyond earth-exploration!
Kindlers of reality-awakenings they are for children
Lights toward truth-searching in their growing-up years
Marvels with wisdom-beam midst their magic and mystery queries
Night-sparkles that promise wealth … “like diamonds in the sky”…
Opening to them opportunities to dream and soar to the top!
Potential poetry and song inspiration-sources can they be
Quiet, yet bright witnesses of victims’ cry for peace and justice
Radiant gems expressing hope to aspiring champions
Steadfast signs with assurance-gleam against skeptics’ doubts…
Testifying about mankind’s fascination for the celestial!
Up above, there they shine … reflecting God’s glory
Victory they assert for the faith-driven to progress-ascent
Watchfulness they show along divine vision-guidance
‘Xcellence marks their illumining expertise in and out of season
Yes, they are in Scriptures declared as “stars for ever and ever”…
Zealously zooming on the eternal light’s Origin and Power!
*Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
June 13, 2018
Edited on June 18, 2022
Honorable Mention, "2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers' FINAL Placement" Poetry Writing Contest; Sponsored by Mark Toney; Judged on 3/4/2023.
9th place, "2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 3" Poetry Writing Premiere Contest
Sponsored by Mark Toney; judged on 6/20/2022.
Royal blue sky scattered sapphire clouds
On horizon embroidered in navy blue attire
Summoned by the onset of marigold sun
Emitting amber gold on tuscan yellow fire
Where tapestry of fluffy lavender floats
Decorating patterns of designs periwinkle
Mosaic of colors then spray-paint the water
Spreading a layer of golden yellow cover
Shimmering gold dust on twilight ripples
Abutting brushstrokes of dark blue egyptian
I saw you briefly where first time we met
On the lonely bridge that extends into bay
But as the dark landmass peeked its head
And the lifeless vegetation glinted despair
The tangerine breeze announced your exit
Quivering our aura beneath glittering riffle
For you refused to witness impending flame--
Broken vows ablaze in last breath of sunset
Written: August 4, 2018
Submitted on February 6, 2023 to:
2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers' FINAL Placement Contest
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Submitted on December 7, 2022 To:
Placed 3rd: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 22 Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Poem of the day on August 7, 2018
Placed first in standard contest #180 by Brian Strand
If my love were to be frozen in time
would its enamored glow forever remain
as poetry in a book, Sonnets written in rhyme?
If in flakes of snow, my heart was encased
would my affection wax and never wane?
It's said a heart without passion is frigid
and incapable of feeling torrid emotion,
but if winter frost glazed o'er me, a rose,
do you suppose my love would become rigid?
Nay! It would survive with endless devotion.
What of spring, when then I would thaw?
Would my tears mingle with melting ice?
Perish that thought for being profound,
for my love harbors no fault, foible, nor flaw.
The sting of cold is a meager sacrifice.
I will never be cloaked in withered petals
no wilting will be found in my tender bloom.
My ardor will not shrivel like dried nettles,
and no demise of my love will ever occur,
nor darkling days shrouded in sullen gloom.
No matter the harsh chill of Winter's season,
do not dither in despondent shadows,
for I will plead innocent, "Not guilty of treason!"
You've no need to fear woes of despair,
for nothing can weaken the bond we share.
Love avowed as truth, through eternity will last,
a promise etched across the breadth of my heart.
In realms of desire, I promise to linger with you,
and to this fervent pledge, I will hold steadfast
until the villain, mortality, wrests us apart.
February 6, 2023 / 2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers' FINAL Placement Poetry Contest / Sponsor: Mark Toney
July 28, 2022
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 10
Sponsor ~ Mark Toney
Golden paint drips from diaphanous air,
beneath the opalescent autumn blue sky,
jade foliage enfolds full-bloomed flowers,
I fly my heart like a bird over the canopy.
The canopy of your allure so beguiling
takes me to the enticing height of ecstasy.
The nest we build in the cleft of boughs
glistens in love-laced moonshine night.
Night of strife surged as wrecking storm,
the nest is demolished to debris of despair.
You drift away to the sunny sky obscure,
leave me to languish in the spasm of winter.
Winter frost slithers with the north wind
to desolateness of the defoliated boughs.
I feel my love freeze within the arctic heart
amid the serrated shadow of broken wings.
_______________
Written : August 10, 2022
February 6, 2023
2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers' FINAL
Placement Poetry Contest
Sponsored : Mark Toney
" . . . I experience the ultimate thrill.
When all the noises around me are still."
Quote by _L Milton Hankins (1941-2022)
In memory of Milt who loved the Pantoum form.
___________________
I have been writing stories and poems since a young girl,
writing about my cats, teddy bears, my dolls and flowers;
love making my words fly and swirl, and twirl, whirl and unfurl,
in my cozy attic room- I could write my words for hours.
Writing about my cats, teddy bears, my dolls and flowers,
though, as I got older, I wrote deep poems and stories;
in my cozy attic room- I could write my words for hours,
writing of my grief, my life, thoughts- in all categories.
Though, as I got older, I wrote deep poems and stories,
my poetry is often sad messages to the world;
writing of my grief, my life, thoughts - in all categories,
like lost leaves fluttering wildly in the wind my words have whorled.
My poetry is often sad messages to the world,
and words pour out from my pen as a song or a prayer;
like lost leaves fluttering wildly in the wind my words have whorled,
and often nature poems and funny poems ... I share.
And words pour out from my pen as a song or a prayer,
love making my words fly and swirl, and twirl, whirl and unfurl;
and often nature poems and funny poems ... I share,
I have been writing stories and poems since a young girl.
______________________
November 28, 2022
Poetry/Pantoum/Writing Poetry For Milton
Copyright Protected, ID 11-1505-155-28
All Rights Reserved, 2023, Constance La France
I dedicate this Pantoum in honor of my poetic friend
Lewis Milton Hankins
1941- 2022
Written for the Premiere contest, Pantoum on Writing
sponsor, L MILTON HANKINS,
This is a contest that will never be judged as
Milton, passed away on December 22, 2022
Submitted to the Premiere contest, 2022 Poetry Marathon, Mile 24
(poems dedicated to the Memory of L Milton Hankins)
sponsor, Mark Toney, Judged 01/22/2023
Second Place
Submitted to the Standard contest, 2022 Marathon Qualifiers Final Placement
sponsor, Mark Toney, Judged 03/04/2023
Twelve Place