Winners from July 2, 2010

1st Place: Where I Left Off by Candace Folske
Folske focuses on the healing, soothing effects of water in this short piece about recapturing memory and dealing with loss. As a young writer, Folske is clearly exploring her voice here experimenting with concrete description. The reader gets the sense that, while this piece is young, it has the potential to become a longer, more mature piece. The use of Falling Water--this week's optional prompt--led to a insightful piece by Folske that overflows with promise.
Download and read Where I Left Off.
2nd Place: Untitled by Nic Seffert
Also inspired by this week's optional prompt, Seffert gives us this brief poem that views the rain as anything but healing. Focusing on both regret and sorrow, this untitled poem presents water as dark and foreboding, with subtle parallels between rain and blood. Seffert also takes a unique approach by presenting heaven as a place of sorrow, where continued suffering leads to sorrow on earth. Readers will appreciate Seffert's off-the-cuff poem for its phrasing and unique approach.
Download and read Untitled.
3rd Place: Heaven's Mountain Stream by Brenna Strong
Yet another product of the optional weekly prompt, Heaven's Mountain Stream gives a simplistic, pleasant picture of water's best associations. Reminiscent of the Romantic nature poets, minus the encumbrance of company or a beloved other, Strong's poem places water within the divine. Water is not merely a healing, soothing element, it's also a reward. Strong is another very young writer whose poem shows great promise. Readers will find her short poem a lovely distraction from the mundane reality of daily life.
Download and read Heaven's Mountain Stream.

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