I Won 3rd Place :o)

Woo Hoo, I won 3rd place in the New Port Richey Art Gallery - 8th Annual Poetry Compitition.

Judges -Lichael Hettirdh/ Lacie Meier/ Annalise Maybe- University Of South Florida Literary Dept.

At the award creremony I was given a certificate of 3rd Placement, A years membership to the New port Richey Art Gallery and a Gift card.

I then read my poem to the assembled crowd. This was my first public contest, not to mention my first public reading of a poem. I know it's not not much but it's my first step, I hope, in my poetry path toward recognition. Enclosed is my poem:

 Comes Spring

The light of day grows ever longer now,      

I see green islands growing ‘tween snow pile.         

The waking trees are budding from bare bough,     

last years bulbs, treasure buried, sprout in file.     

Gone, strife of winter, joy of spring instead,   

gray skies pass, sunshine answers season’s need.     

From the south robins return; breast of red,   

rich, fertile, warm earth beckons growing seed.   

Sun’s winter voyage over, has come home,    

no longer chilling, winter not a care.     

Springtime will make the heartened spirit roam,    

my mind will sigh of past springs held so fair.    

As nature’s spring gift is our bounty earth,  

God’s gift of Easter’s promise; mans rebirth.      

Robert Gene Stoner Jr

3/17/15