Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, fellow writers!

Our Valentine's poetry contest is now over and

the winners have been chosen by our judges.

A special thank-you to Paula who organized, sent out the fliers,

collected the submissions, removed any information (such as names) and forwarded them to the judges, collected the winning poems, printed certificates, collected checks and sent them to the winners, AND sent out emails to every member of the club!

Whew! That was a lot of work! 

The hard work paid off. We had a wonderfully successful contest with nearly forty submissions!

We appreciate you, Paula! 

Thank-you to all those who submitted poetry for the contest.

The judges wished there were more categories so they could have more winners! 

The winners and their poems are following. I hope you

enjoy them as much as I did!

Debbie Anderson, President of Ada Writers

THE FIRST PLACE WINNER - IN THE 2019 ADA WRITERS POETRY CONTEST IS ...

Glenda Benefield!!

CONGRATULATIONS, GLENDA!

To Be

by Glenda Benefield

A starfish and a butterfly chanced a meeting on the shore.

They eyed each other curiously as they never met before,

Like creatures of two different worlds, no likeness could they see,

But crossing paths by happenstance -- perhaps was meant to be.

Said the starfish in a voice forlorn, "Just look how you can fly!

Without a care to hold you down as you waft about the sky.

If I could only ride the wind into those realms unknown,

I catch a breeze and drift away -- so far from home!"

"But, sir," the butterfly replied, "I've often wondered so,

What lies beneath that water's edge as deep as one could go.

I'd let the waves drench over me and delve the ocean blue.

I can't imagine what I'd see if I could just be you!"

They reasoned back and forth some more, preferring one another;

The only thing they knew to do was try to be each other.

So the starfish pushed with all his might …. but never left the sand,

And the butterfly touched on the sea …. just to wash ashore again.

They sat in silence for a time with nothing left to say;

No longer wishing they could change but glad they'd met that day.

Then the butterfly stretched forth her wings, content with thought of flight,

And the starfish flexed his spiny arms, waiting proudly for the tide.

SECOND PLACE WINNER - PAT CHILDERS

The Fourteenth of Forever

by Pat Childers

There's the Postman, headed right to the door.

He's one and the same I've seen here before.

He picked up the mail I'm sending away.

But, oh my, he left nothing, this Valentine's Day.

I glanced to the porch and happened to see

an extra-large envelope addressed to me.

It was a very nice day, though windy and cold;

yet I hurried outside and lo and behold,

I opened that envelope and read the card,

while the wind took the envelope across the yard.

I held the best part, right in my hand.

I read what it said, and oh, it was grand.

My heart was so full now, and nothing was wrong.

My husband, the postman, had delivered his love song.

THIRD PLACE WINNER - NORA RAY

His Valentine's Candy Heart

by Nora Ray

He had sea green eyes and chestnut hair, piled on a six foot frame.

I fell for him on sight, yes, I had no shame.

I was filled with romance, filled with wild, wild, wishes.

Then I found out all he wanted … was Hershey's Candy Kisses!

I thought he might learn to love me; he just needed a nudge,

but I caught him hiding in the closet … with a plate of chocolate fudge!

I wanted a ring, but he shattered my heart into pieces,

When he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out … a Reeses!

I thought my love unconditional, even from the start.

Until I learned all he ever had … was a Valentine's Candy Heart!

HONORABLE MENTION - MRS SHARLA CULWELL - ENGLISH TEACHER

Mrs. Sharla Culwell, English Teacher with Asher Public Schools

encouraged her students to enter this poetry contest.

Over twenty of her students submitted poems, including 

Kendal Pine, who placed 4th.

We applaud, Mrs. Culwell for encouraging her students to participate in

the Arts in this way!  Thank you Mrs. Culwell!

HONORABLE MENTION - 4th PLACE - KENDAL PINE

Love in Seasons

by Kendal Pine

My love for you is undying

Like the evergreens in the cold crisp winters

It is patient like the water droplets in

 a cool spring cloud waiting to fall

It is beautiful like the radiant and

delicate daisies in a summer meadow

It is vibrant like the vivid colored

autumn leaves falling from the strong oak trees

The Clock is Ticking! The Deadline for the Poetry Contest is Feb 10th!

Valentine Poetry Writing Contest

Deadline is February 10 at midnight.

Have you submitted your poem yet?

Happy February!

Welcome to February! The shortest month of the year. Black History Month. Valentines Day. The Academy Awards. Presidents Day. National Cancer Day. Wear Red Day. Etc., Etc., Etc. Even National Pizza Day is in February! It's cold outside! Chicago's been down to -20F.  Makes today's 45F in Ada much easier to take. We are all busy, we all have responsibilities and to-do lists, but we are writers. WRITERS WRITE! So add that to your to-do list. I challenge you to write every day this month. Too much - too soon? Then write every day this week! Don't have anything to write about? I'm sorry I don't believe that, but here's an idea - write about this sweet little bird with the cute little hat and muffler. Then bring it to the meeting next Saturday.  We'd love to hear it! Really, we would!