2026 Poetry Contest Winners
FIRST PRIZE
Pickle Poem
By Barbara Crowley
Remember the time, when for a nickle,
You could root in a keg for a crispy pickle?
Well, I wont eat one; call me fickle.
It makes my taste buds start to tickle.
Salads taste better when cukes are included;
Radishes add color and crunchiness when chewed.
My parents schemed and even colluded
For ways to feed me my greenies (frankenfood).
Cukes are better because they are raw;
No vinegar applied to “lock” my jaw.
Pickling a cuke is a cooking flaw.
As I told my Maw and my Paw.
Other veggies I’ve come to detest
Are kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts and the rest
Of bitter, but healthier foods to injest.
Eating bland veggies suits me the best.
Remember the frozen treats named Popsicles?
If pickles could taste like creamsicles
Or, for chocolate fans, a fudgesicle
My tongue could overcome its obstacles.
Until the day comes when pickles become tasty,
The serving dish will be past by me hastily.
I shall continue my mission, somewhat uncalled for
Of disparaging the vegetables I still abhor.
SECOND PRIZE
The Music in You - A Silly Lyric or Two
By Susan Font
My tambourine goes into my musical bag, the one I take with me when life starts to lag.
I see the triangle is very near to relay an accent of a moment so dear
The maracas add a shimmying sound, near to the bongos in sync they may pound
Now you know that silly singular kazoo, can make whatever sound we would like it to
Sharps and flats -don’t blame the instrument – the way it sounds is on you, why get that level of bent
You can be or become a marching band, but it’s always way more fun when the whole class jams
I’m not so sure this is all quite that silly, but I’m learning to roll always not so up hilly
THIRD PRIZE
The Stain
By Ashlynn Wolf
Oh no not again
My nail polish spilled
The worst part about it
It had just been refilled
How could this happen
Could I have stopped it
It flew off the table
And onto the carpet
I looked at the bottle
Nearly empty once more
I guess I’ll need to get a new one
When I return to the store
With only a handful of painted nails
I look down at the spot that was now hot pink
Will this eyesore ever come out
No, it will not, I don’t think