Fresno County Public Library Poetry Contest

Ephemeral Slumber

In the cold heat of a desert night

She lays sunken in the sand

Her thirst trapped by an out of reach vase

The clothing she wears spindles neatly

Precisely carved with a pastel rainbow

The guardian, large with a seemingly infinite tail

Watches over her closely

A speckled night showcases a clear moon

Clear in its anguish

As it brings the traveler to the end of her journey

With morning on the horizon

--Kyle L., Adult

A World filled with Wonder

Carried by a glimmering morning dove;

through the air currents of vast blue canvases

intervals of water encircled in a white cotton frame;

and translucent sluggish mist;

a gaping observatory of flora and fauna shatters its doors

with its verity beguiling the few who get the chance to view it;

petrified with astonishment

this world is filled with wonder for those who appreciate the truth

--Elizabeth K., 9th-12th Grade

Remember Them...

We must all remember

Remember them truly...

The individuals who sacrificed their lives for you & I

And our country

We shall be proud to honor them as our heroes

It’s not easy at all

Not easy to serve in the United States Armed Forces

But thanks to them we are the strong country we are today

If it were not for them…

Would you be able to picture the United States without them

I could not and you would not either

So let’s take the time to remember them…

Those heroes who made an impact on our lives

And continue to do so today

We must be grateful for their bravery…

We must be United at all times--regardless of struggles

Because we are the United States for a reason.

God bless them…

Our heroes.

--Jacquelin M., Adult

Cor Cordium (Heart of Hearts)

Oh, for there is a wild animal caged within my ribs
Pacing the floor of the pericardium that cushions its fall
I must say that sometimes I fear this ravenous beast
With jaws so large it seems it would devour the whole world

A Venn diagram of passion and pain, an infinity of ventricles
The creature gallops in place as if chasing some distant prey
Rattling the bars of its enclosure with cries for oxygen
If let loose I am sure it would bring destruction upon my pride

Yet I know not what else to do with such a fearsome thing
It mocks beauty by pounding its frenzied paws
It leaps at the most trivial matters of the day
It curls in on itself when it is already warm
And would tear to shreds any sleeve it encounters

To silence or remove it would be to invite an instant death
And so I must learn to live with its erratic appetite
I must train it to settle down every time you pass
And not to act so comfortable when you get close

I must muffle the sound when it shrieks your name
And discourage it from poking its head out as you near
For there is a wild animal caged within my ribs
Do tread carefully, for I fear that you can hear its call

--Alyssa K., 9th-12th Grade

The Way to Succeed

The best way to be successful is to follow your passion
Have the courage, make a plan, put it into action
Always dedicate your life, one day, you’ll start passing
Look for people who can help you, go around, keep asking

Keep on working in the dirt, keep on working in the heat
Bring some friends with you, keep on working with the Gs
You can do it, man, just keep your head up, keep pushing hard, don’t let up
When you feel down, dry your tears, man, and get up

No more quitting until you win it, no giving up until you get it
You will get it someday, just be pivoting ‘til you hit it
Just keep hitting hard, if you’re in music, keep on spitting bars
Keep hoping that your efforts will help you get far

You may not get it the first time
Or the second time, or even the third time
You may be done a lot of dirt for it
Good things don’t come easy, you got to work for it

--David O., Adult

Shallows

Across the shiny inlet where

freshwater reaches for the salt,

geese are wading or sleeping.

Above three pelicans are heading

out to see if it's school time where

they can grab a free lunch.

What do I know about loneliness

when it's never quite quiet out

here where the sea is still undecided

about what it wants to be?

--Janell W., Adult

Every Life had its Challenges

Though we are tied to that path, we…feel.
Overwhelmed.
The current pushes like a fiend,
away from the goals we’ve achieved.
This river overwhelms,
like the salmon fighting its way back home.
But unlike that salmon,
who never gives up the fight,
I let the current’s jurisdiction deem me
impotent.

I’m thrown into the ocean, oh how vast it is!
But its layer of Sunlight is dimmed,
The blue Twilight is pressuring in,
Then through this Midnight, there reigns no
star,
Is there anyone in this plentiful ocean who
can… h e a r m e ?

Every life has its challenges,
People have their own ‘little’ box,
The box once being open,
It’s components are laid bare,
The box therefore is thick, sealed and closed,
How do we know if its fragile, it’s not disclosed,
Its thoughts for the box, is it really to protect?
In reality its regret.

Sometimes the silence is too loud,
when the issues start to arise.
Thoughts become the nuisance of the
mind,
The article of clothing, fashion, and
organic shapes,
The eyes, they’re to scrape,
The world wants to soften your clay,
YOUR shape, YOUR form, it’s crucible!
Yet discontent is on its rise…
Can’t argue, “I’m me,” if you don’t like your
own body.
The smell of food, you’ve let your body
wear away,
“I am full, but thanks.”
But reality is saying “I’m starving,”
Because you want to become more
marveling.

Actions unspoken, toxic stress,
How can I even EXPRESS,
I FEEL, I WANT RED!...
But child, your not…not alone,
Call 988, and please… don’t postpone…
Help is there, even at night,
24/7 to fight that fight.
You don’t need, to go out the door,
you just need a call, with the phone,
Because every life has its challenges.
Know you're not alone.

--Adamaris L., 9th-12th Grade

Library note:
If you or someone you know has an eating disorder please seek help: please call the the Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention Hotline at 1-800-931-2237.

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The 25th Annual Poetry Contest is here!

Welcome to Fresno County Public Library's 25th Annual Poetry Contest. Submit your poems between April 1st and April 30th. Poems will be judged by talented, local professionals and our winners will be celebrated at an in-person Awards Ceremony in June.