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.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

April 27, 2016

"Free From You"
By Samantha Reichl

Today I didn’t wince
when I thought about you.

I think these self-love poems
are doing more for me
than the you-love poems.

I will never open up to you again.
You don’t get to hear my dreams
or goals
or weekend plans.
You sure as hell won’t be a weekend plan.

I will never tell you
how I love that your mind
is greater than the sum of your parts.

Because it isn’t.
Your heart is hollow
and empty
and that’s why you tried
to steal mine.

I will straighten my hair
and put on clothes
so dark
it makes men question their morals.

I will strap on
knee-high combat boots
and curb stomp
the hearts of lesser men.

And I will do all of this
for me.
My words will be
for me.
I will set myself free,
for me.

* * * * * * * * * *

“The Battle on Bunker Hill”
by Cooper Vander Galien 

Bunker Hill was standing still,
Until the brave came,
Fighting for America, 
Fighting for that name.
Their hearts were like darts,
Soaring through the air,
Never will they stop,
They'll just keep fighting there.
The kill is still,
But the brave still come,
The British have lost,
And the war is done.

Per Cooper's mother, "Cooper is a fourth grader who loves poetry and is home schooled.”