This month, we ran a poetry contest to celebrate National Poetry Month. We challenged our readers to craft a poem using only the words that appeared in one of our newsletters (here are the original contest guidelines if you want to give it a try).
While prose is our newsletter’s bread and butter, it turns out that you all certainly aren’t op-prose-d to verse; we received several creative, intriguing, and beautiful poems that we narrowed down to our top four finalists.
Check out the poems below, including the contest winner our readers voted for.
Winner: “Greenville Feel” by Shananay C.
The city of Greenville, where fun is free, It’s the ultimate city, for all to see. Main Street, Unity Park and a comedy show, Greenville is a special place to go! Fireforge, Flour Field, Jones Oyster, and Greer, Joining in community for food and beer. Coffee Underground, Swamp Rabbit and runway frills , Euphoria and fun are all the thrills. Bike the trail or see a Peace Center play Greenville is a fan favorite every day.
“From Here” by Casey L.
To be a Greenville local: Have a favorite coffee or tea order, one from the downtown shop all celebrate, one under the radar. Enjoy how a season shares a special feature of your city: a flashy spring garden of red, a crosswalk full of people on a June weekend. Feel comfort from crossing happy hounds on sidewalks. Find the special in every day, because you know it is there. It is here.
“Only Rabbits?” by Julianne S.
Only parking for a rabbit, Not a horse with all frills. Can’t break out a flying fox, or flashy hounds for fast thrills. Grab not a green panda, Not a Norwall parade peak? Forget to shag or dance crazy. Oh shucks, don’t sneak! Rules? Too many! Stomping city filled with steam. More friends! Fancy hats Originality for our Greenville team!
“Upcountry Spring” by Caroline M.
Upcountry Spring Under the vine— The textile streets The narrow lanes — Seasons pull the Green creek underground— Return the words of Sunrise Remaining there— Forget the thrill Honor the ambivalent Preserve the order Explore the first Fungi — strawberry legs Nearing the garden— This is April In Greenville— Open to all — p.m. precipitation Welcomes Connectivity — new Collections: a sunset Dance and chestnut Traditions, stomping Grounds and good times
