OPEN-MIC RHYME, SLAM, OR SCRAWL

The Penn Foster Poetry Committee is pleased to announce The Window by Nadine Hagey Corse as the winner of our First Penn Foster Poetry Competition. The runner up is Majestic Wolf by Mariah Leal. Congratulations to Nadine and Mariah.

We received many entries that offered an array of experience, skill, and passion. Here are the two winning poems.

The Window

As I sit by the window and wait.
The state of the world I contemplate.
Be it love or be it hate.

As I had once sat by that window in wait.
Was it love I was searching for?
Or was it truly something more?

As I sit by the window and wait.
I realize that what I’m truly seeking.
Is not something outside - inwardly speaking.
But something planted within by the creator of all creators.
Saying - Woe to those in the vast sea of hateful haters.

By that window I will no longer wait.
Watching the best of my life - the world to continue to take.
Choices are mine to make.
Be it love or be it hate.
My own road I choose to take! And traveling up on it - will be great!

— Nadine Hagey Corse

“I am 67 years old and enrolled in the Graphic Design Program. After 40+ years of raising, not one but, three families I’m working toward becoming a graphic artist. I wrote this poem 40 some years ago when my first husband left us. Little did I realize that it would hold a lot of the same meanings yet today. No matter how bad things get, we still have a choice as to which road to take.”

Majestic Wolf

Majestic wolf so misunderstood
Vicious killers that live in the woods
What people see in you, you are not
Your image from fairy tales they never forgot

If families could learn the ways of your pack
They’d see all the things the human race lacks
The true meaning of love & respect would come through
By spending some time just observing you

They’d learn when you take a mate it’s for life
That she’s a partner & friend, not just a wife
The children are guided by strong loving hearts
With all family members doing their part

The rules are strict & followed by all
If one’s out of line the others will fall
They depend on each other, everyday of their lives
With loyalty, devotion & love they’ll survive

And don’t forget intelligence & courage
To live in this world they must be encouraged
The wolf and his pack have shown us the way
So let’s follow his example starting today

— Mariah Leal

“I have always loved writing and wolves (and all animals). I had an opportunity to visit The Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, New York. After spending time just watching the wolves and how they interact, I was so inspired that when I came home this poem just had to come out. So, as a result, ‘Majestic Wolf’ was written.”

Open-Mic Poetry Call — The Penn Foster Newsletter would like to feature your original poems in the student newsletter. Do you have a way with words and rhymes or perhaps Haiku? Please email your submissions to [email protected]. Please enter "Open Mic" in subject line. You must include your name, student number, and a short bio, including your city and state. Winners will be featured in the upcoming Student Newsletters!