Guidelines

Guidelines: (1) Include your name, the title of your original poem, and a brief comment about yourself; (2) Poems may be in any language (please include an English translation); (3) Poems may not violate Nicolet's Social Media Guidelines; (4) Original poems may be submitted anonymously; (5) Submit poems to Ocie Kilgus (okilgus@nicoletcollege.edu). Students who submit original poems are eligible for the Best Original Poem contest. The student with the best poem will be awarded the Ron Parkinson Poetry Matters Student Scholarship Award in the amount of $300. The community member with the best poem will receive dinner for two at Church Street Inn, Hazelhurst. Upon the closing of the Poetry Project, a faculty committee will select the winning poems. The winners of the contest will be recognized at Nicolet College's Award Ceremonies on May 10.

Sunday, April 24, 2016

April 24, 2016

"Pennies and Nickels"
By Samantha Reichl

You just dropped me
like loose change.
I would have preferred
to be thrown,
to be smashed
into thousands of shards
of broken cardiac muscles
because at least
that would mean
you made an effort. 

* * * * * * * * * *

“Mindi”
By Ocie Kilgus

When we used to walk . . .
our daily outings anchored us. 
We wrapped ourselves up in the familiar:

       Early dawns
       Eager dressing
       Swinging doors
       Brisk air
       Breakfast smells
       Sidewalk patterns
       Perfect strides
       Fellow walkers
       Morning greetings
       Occasional treats
       Other pups
       Favorite spots
       Insistent nudges
       Gentle pats
       Chattering birds
       Darting squirrels
       Dewy gardens
       Wet paws
       Knowing sighs
       Two smiles
       Every day
       Giving you
       Giving me
       Shoreless love.

“For Mindi, our Westie.”