WRITING FOR OUR LIVES.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, I moved to New York City with two cousins and two friends. Only one of us had a job lined up.
We were young and for the most part, unafraid. The future was open and we went after it with zest, huddling together when the hours turned bleak with continued joblessness and dwindling savings. We discovered parts of ourselves we had not known and were surprised to learn we could feel hopeless but not beaten. Two of us moved on to different cities to pursue other dreams. And I went from thinking I would be a fashion designer to hearing a forgotten voice from childhood. I remembered a time when writing words to tell a story brought me to a place of lightness and understanding.
Listening and starting slowly, I began to write poetry. Soon I had a small collection in my hands.
In 1996 I submitted my best poems and entered them in the Annual National Poetry Book Contest, sponsored by Salmon Run Press in Anchorage, Alaska. The winner of the contest was THE RIVER WALK by John Millet. Although I did not place in the poetry contest, I received an encouraging, handwritten note from John E. Smelcer, then Editor-in-Chief:
Mia, impressive for only two years experience as a poet. It almost was one of the very few Honorable Mentions! -J
I no longer have copies of my original submission from the poetry contest, and cannot remember which poems I thought were my best. But I have Mr. Smelcer's written words framed on my wall, reminding me not all is lost.
Listening and starting slowly, I began to write poetry. Soon I had a small collection in my hands.
In 1996 I submitted my best poems and entered them in the Annual National Poetry Book Contest, sponsored by Salmon Run Press in Anchorage, Alaska. The winner of the contest was THE RIVER WALK by John Millet. Although I did not place in the poetry contest, I received an encouraging, handwritten note from John E. Smelcer, then Editor-in-Chief:
Mia, impressive for only two years experience as a poet. It almost was one of the very few Honorable Mentions! -J
I no longer have copies of my original submission from the poetry contest, and cannot remember which poems I thought were my best. But I have Mr. Smelcer's written words framed on my wall, reminding me not all is lost.
*******
Days after the writing of this post, I found a box tucked away in my bedroom closet. Inside was a bound copy of my original submission, TO DANCE AGAIN and OTHER POEMS, in the 1996 Annual National Poetry Book Contest. I held my breath from the unexpected gift, my once lost collection of poems.
I present to you a selection of my poems written from 1994 to 1995.
I welcome your thoughts and thank you for reading.
I present to you a selection of my poems written from 1994 to 1995.
I welcome your thoughts and thank you for reading.
