Crystalline Whispers Poetry Contest

Winter is an icy wonderland of soft, white silence and shimmering beauty as snowflakes dance along with the wind. It is a time of reflection and contemplation as melancholic winter embraces us with its endless possibilities. The winter season has always been a source of inspiration for poets and writers alike. As snowflakes fall and the chilly wind blows, a crystalline world, chock full of literary pieces with metaphors, artistic innovations, and imagery, can be seen, inviting us to explore the depths of our creativity. This winter, Wingless Dreamer’s Winter Poetry Contest was a celebration of that creativity, a call to poets and writers around the world to share their unique visions of the winter season through their words. Like every individual snowflake, each and every submission was beautiful and unique in its way, touching all of us with its delicate form yet powerful intensity.

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The submissions we received were a testament to the incredible talent and diversity of the writing community. From sonnets to free verse, from haikus to odes, the entries we received captured the beauty and complexity of the winter season in ways that were both unexpected and breathtaking. Each submission was a masterpiece in its right, a testament to the imagination and dedication of the writers who crafted them.

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After long discussions, drawn-out debates, and much deliberation, we are thrilled to announce the cold-crowned prince, the winner of our Winter Poetry Contest! We are also excited to announce our talented-nocturnal nobles – the runner-ups and the finalists. This poet’s work captured the essence of the winter season with a delicate touch, weaving together imagery and form in a way that was both evocative and deeply moving. Their words were like snowflakes, unique and intricate, and they created a world that was both familiar and utterly new, bringing us to the familiar setting of winter yet challenging its notions and traditions with the best attempt at the redefinition of winter poetry!

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The Crown of the ‘Crystalline Whispers’ contest belongs to :

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Abigail Leigh – ‘A Winter Affair’

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Abigail Leigh is a 28-year-old harpist and poet from Oregon. As a self-proclaimed paradox, both a creative and analytical being, she draws inspiration from life’s dichotomies: the belief that light and darkness, growth and decay, joy and sorrow–travel in tandem. Every season has a story to tell, and she writes because she is committed to unveiling the truth from learned experiences. Her poetry has been published in Darling Magazine, Black Fox Literary Magazine, Equinox Biannual Journal, Clayjar Review, Foreshadow Magazine, Kosmeo Magazine, and Yours Poetically.

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Light up the town for our runner-ups:

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Crystal E. Barker – ‘Free Fall’

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Crystal E. Barker grew up on a farm in the hills of Kentucky.  She earned a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Berea College and went on to earn her Master’s in Nursing at California State University, Los Angeles. She serves Veterans as a Registered Nurse in the VA Medical Center.  Her poetry is published in state, national and international works.  Recently she published her collection of poems entitled: “Homelessness Through the Eyes of a Nurse In the City” with Poet’s Choice.

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Emma Wells – ‘Stripped’

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Emma is a mother and English teacher. She has poetry published in various literary journals and magazines. She enjoys writing flash fiction and short stories also. Her debut novel, Shelley’s Sisterhood, is due to be published in 2023.

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Blow the trumpet and beat the drums for our finalists:

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Brett Salter – ‘8 Winters Strong’

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His background in writing stems mostly from the inspiration he found as a kid when he read Fantasy and Sci-Fi books. In his formative years, he joined several punk rock bands and wrote songs, poetry, and short stories aplenty. As an adult (?) he took on a dare and wrote the first book in hisTalisman Series. Brett loved the feeling it gave him and the idea of inspiring others so much that he kept writing until he had an entire series. @Talismanbrett

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Adele Evershed – ‘Marking the New Year’

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Adele Evershed was born in Wales and has lived in Hong Kong and Singapore before settling in Connecticut. Her prose and poetry have been published in over a hundred journals and anthologies such as Every Day Fiction, Grey Sparrow Journal, High Shelf, Tofu Ink Arts Press, Shot Glass Journal, and Hole in the Head Review. Adele has recently been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net for poetry, the Staunch Prize for flash fiction, and her first poetry chapbook, Turbulence in Small Places will be published next year by Finishing Line Press.

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Kersten Christianson – ‘Tsuga of the Pine Family’

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Alaskan Poet, Moon Gazer, Raven Watcher, Northern Trekker, Teacher. Kersten Christianson derives inspiration from wild, wanderings, and road trips. Kersten is the poetry editor of Alaska Women Speak. She has authored Curating the House of Nostalgia (Sheila-Na-Gig, 2020), What Caught Raven’s Eye (Petroglyph Press, 2018), and Something Yet to Be Named (Kelsay Books, 2017). Kersten lives with her daughter in Sitka, Alaska and enjoys road trips, bookstores, and smooth ink pens.

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Andy Betz – ‘From my POV, it is always Winter’

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Andy Betz has tutored and taught in excess of 40 years. He lives in 1974 and has been married for 30 years. His works are found everywhere a search engine operates.

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We would also like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the participants who made it to our shortlist. Your submissions were a monumental achievement to commemorate the incredible talent and creativity of the writing community, and we were honored to read your work. Thank you for sharing your visions of the winter season with us and reminding us of the power of words to transport us to the season of fireplaces and frosted flora.

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As the winter season draws to a close, we are grateful for the warmth and inspiration that all of the poem submissions brought into our lives. We are truly delighted to have read the stories of every one of you! We cannot wait to see what the future holds for this incredible community of writers and poets, and we hope that you will continue to share your voices and your visions with the world!