Thank you to everyone who shared the love in our Silly Love Sonnets kidlit poetry contest!
It was such a delight to read through all of the incredible entries about the sweet and silly little things you all love!
We are excited to announce our WINNER...
LINDA HOFKE
Raccoon's Sonnet for Trash Cans
Oh, wondrous trash cans, lining city streets,
we topple you to let the scraps spill out,
and cherish the discarded tasty treats,
like chocolate-covered cake with sauerkraut.
The mighty depths of your gourmet cuisine
keep we raccoons a-digging through the night,
discovering a donut or sardine,
or ketchup-coated morsels of delight.
Some apple cores in gravy mixed with peas,
potato peels in homemade apple sauce,
a giant chunk of moldy cheddar cheese--
we never know what we will come across,
each trash can a mysterious food tower
with succulent surprises to devour.
Congratulations, Linda!
Were we swayed by the focus on raccoons and what felt like an intentional nod to our contest mascot? Sure, but we also really loved the playful, gross-out humor in Linda's clever food combinations and the specific love not just for the disgusting delights found in the garbage, but for the trash cans themselves as a source of mystery and joy.
AND OUR HONORABLE MENTIONS ARE...
SARAH CLAXTON
SONNET FOR A BUMBLE BEE
As you put the treasures in your pocket
And stuff full your pantaloons
It’s the flowers that will profit
In the summer month of June
Flitting about from tulip to daisy
Sniffing inside to gather the nectar
The bee-hind emerging makes me crazy
You are by far the cutest collector
The way you float and wiggle near
The delight you bring I cannot inhibit
The sight of you I hold so dear
I plant your favorites so you’ll visit
It’s no wonder you’re the knees
Sweet and plump, silly bumblebee
&
JESSE ANNA BORNEMANN
ODE TO U
From the Ural Mountains' peaks to Uruguayan beaches,
From Utah 'cross the pond to the UK,
Your unique and undying charm ubiquitously reaches.
Your fame is universal, I should say!
You're zesty like umami, an uncommon sort of flavor.
Like unicorns, you show a sparkly flair.
Your upside-down umbrella smile is poetry I savor—
So crisp and bright, like brand-new underwear!
I might appear without you in qat, Qatar, or qi, but
It's by your side I'm anxious to remain.
I understand, so many times, you slyly stray from me, but
"It's U for me!" shall be my bold refrain.
I promise to be steadfast, sweet, and true—
Your utterly devoted letter Q.
And lastly, my eight-year-old's favorite and the winner of our KID'S CHOICE is...
BENNY ZADIK
SCREAM TIME
Dare not take away my screen,
Brave not my wrath, my howls, my scream,
Of course I jest! (though I can play mean),
Should disturb you my screen-time regime,
’Tis not my want to throw a scene,
A tantrum, fit, or fiendish scheme,
But should you prove less than keen,
To expedite this YouTube stream...
Resign your protest, forswear routine,
Just tap four digits, sight unseen,
Thy passcode unlocks my imprisoned queen,
My blue-tint love, my iPad screen,
Huzzah! Regret-not what you here bestow,
How now?! What treachery! “BATTERY LOW!”
Here are a few thoughts on his choice:
"This is so relatable. Me and all of my friends love our screen time and we've all been there where you're like, 'Oh man, low battery?!'"
Congratulations to all our winners! Please email me at littlethoughtspress at gmail to claim your prizes and coordinate shipping. Our Winner, Honorable Mentions, and Kid's Choice winner will receive a copy of one of our issues and a bookmark featuring cover art from Little Thoughts Press. Thank you again to everyone who participated! It was such a treat to read through your entries. And thank you as always for reading and supporting Little Thoughts Press! Our 10th issue: An Ekphrasis Adventure will be opening for writing submissions later this week, so keep an eye on this space!
Loved waking up to this good news! Thank you! It’s an honor being in such clever company. My 10 year old would totally relate to Benny’s sonnet!
What a lovely surprise! Thank you so much for choosing my sonnet. It was so fun to write.
And CONGRATS to Jesse, Sarah and Benny. Loved your work.