I Am a Runner-up In a Poetry Challenge!

Hi everyone!

In November, I received really good news: I am a runner-up in a poetry challenge I entered! In this post I will share all the background info - the how, when, where, and why - and I'll be sharing the inspiration behind my poem and the poem itself!

"little footprints in the sand"

 

 

"little footprints in the sand" has now become one of my greatest triumphs! I am so proud of how this little poem managed to impress the wonderful ecopoet Isabel Galleymore, who was the judge of this challenge! 

The challenge, titled "The Adorable Animals Challenge" which said to write a poem that explores the relationship between the natural world and cuteness, came from the Young Poets Network. 

 

how it all happened

 

Late September I received some disappointing news about a previous large poetry competition I entered that started like this:

"I hope this finds you well."

The email continued to say that the two poems I submitted for the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award were not chosen as the winning poems. The email was beautifully written, encouraging me to continue sharing my poetry where they attached a link to Young Poets Network - an extension of The Poetry Society - for poets under the age of 25. 

I was scrolling through the website and stumbled upon The Adorable Animals Challenge which I decided to try out. 

A few days later I came across a YouTube video by National Geographic that showed how an adorable and endearing long-eared hedgehog escaped an eagle owl. It took only half the video for me to gain inspiration which created the first half of the poem. Then, I procrastinated because I had no more to add to the poem, and it wasn't good enough for me to submit just yet. So, I waited. 

A few weeks later I realized, "damn, the closing date is in two days!" While I was watching TV with my brother, I quickly did some more research about the hedgehog to make sure the things I added to the poem was accurate. But I couldn't focus, so I decided to leave it for the next day - the day of the closing date! The next day I completed the poem and it turned into the big little piece of writing I love today. I immediately submitted the poem on Sunday, October 29th.

It made me realize that I create some of my best work under pressure! 

when I received the news

In early November, when I was sitting on my bed, making phone charms for my phone, I received the email that started like this:

"I hope this finds you well."

The subject line was the title of the challenge so I immediately assumed my poem is not one of the winning poems because, if you scroll back up, you'll see that I received disappointing news that started with that exact line. Nevertheless, I scrolled further down and there, in bold, it said:

I was ecstatic and screamed from my bead-covered bed to my family: "I came second in a poetry challenge!" I continued to elaborate what I'm winning (which is a box of poetry goodies from the Young Poets Network) and how it all happened and everything else!

I never showed my family "little footprints in the sand" before submitting it, I only shared it with them after I received this fantastic news, so seeing my parents' reaction to the poem and news was a special moment too.

what happened after

What followed, and what I was anxiously waiting for, was a private online award ceremony that took place on Zoom on Saturday, December 2nd. I was invited, along with the rest of the winners and runners-up, to read my poem out loud and hear the reason why Isabel Galleymore picked each of our poems. I was INCREDIBLY nervous, which I felt was evident, but it all turned out well and they enjoyed how I read my poem. 

I had the Zoom meeting in my parents' bedroom because the desktop my dad usually works on has a webcam and at that time my dad was on a business trip, so the timing worked out perfectly. 

A funny detail that I need to add is that, my parents' bedroom has a large window that you can look through by simply standing outside. At one point I turned my head to the left and found my mom peeking into the bedroom from the backyard; it's now a memory I will never forget. She also revealed that she stood at the door when I read my poem out loud. I had to close the door because our pets make so much noise 😂

In the end, I am so happy and proud of how courageous I was to attend AND read my poem out loud, because I was shaking with nerves. Now, when I attend the next ceremony, I know how it works, plus I'll be more comfortable with Zoom since it was my first time using the service (which just added to the anxiousness).

 

what is coming next

 

As of today, I have submitted two poems to their Self-Portrait Challenge which I consider some of my best work so far, and I am excited for the results. 

I have seen many writers talk about their fears of sharing their work with others but I've found that for me, it is the opposite. I enjoy sharing my work and I love entering as many competitions and challenges as possible. I try to write everyday, even if it is just one line in a poem I'll never publish.

I must say, with pure honesty, I am incredibly grateful that the Heavenly Father has blessed me with my writing talent, and I dream of transforming the world with my words. I have no doubt that I will fulfill that dream, especially with my family and friends' unconditional love and support, which fills my heart with gratitude. I love you guys. 

all the links!

Young Poets Network (YPN) - The website!

My poem on the challenge's page -  The Adorable Animals Challenge

My profile on YPN - Jana Blignault

To conclude this post, I'd like to say thank you for your patience! I haven't posted in a while because my schoolwork has become progressively more which has taken more time to complete. I am grateful for your continued support too, dear reader!

I hope to share many more exciting milestones in my journey of fulfilling my dreams, I believe there are many to come. 

Thank you for reading this week's blog post! It was so much fun to share this wonderful news with you and I hope you have a beautiful day. I'll see you as soon as I can.

 

Bye xx