Congratulations: Your poem, Age, has earned Honorable Mention
in the 2017 Steve Kowit International Poetry Contest.
Your poem will be published in the next edition of the San Diego
Poetry Annual, due out on March 1, 2018. A PDF of the annual
will be available for free reading and downloading in February 2018
on our website: http://www.sandiegopoetryannual.com.
You are invited to attend the awards ceremony to read your poem
at the Neil Morgan Auditorium on Saturday, April 21, 2018. If
you can attend, you’ll be paid a small honorarium ($50). If you
cannot attend, a certificate of achievement will be mailed to you.
Again, congratulations. Your support for the legacy of Steve Kowit
helps us donate of copies of the SDPA to every public and university
library system in our region, making the annual part of their
permanent collections.
Most of all, thank you for allowing us to publish your work.
Warm wishes,
William Harry Harding
Publisher,
for The Judges
San Diego Entertainment & Arts Guild
A Holistic Journey 
Beautiful words! Congratulations 🙂
Thank you for reading. =)
Congrats Diana. Your poem is very evocative of all the mysteries and challenges of aging. It snuck up on me too. 🙂
It’s the devil, for sure. The least I can do is write about it. Hate letting anything go to waste. LOL.
What I felt were stronger pieces were tied up elsewhere and this contest did not allow for simultaneous submissions. Oh well, mention is better than nothing!
Hey, at least you submit your work and it’s acknowledged by a wider/ tougher audience. I like keeping to my safe blogging zone. 🙂
I know every new year you reconsider playing it so safe. *grin* One of these days…
It’s a bummer that T Rex will be out of town during the poetry festival. I don’t know if I want to make the long drive alone with Little T, but I think it’s important that he experiences his mom on stage.
(And you don’t need to submit your writing anywhere. You can go bungee jumping.)
I love the monikers for your husband and son. What does that make you. Mega Rex? 🙂
Just because I’ve said it in a post (My Wife Is An Animal), I’ll say it: the POSSUM.
I’d love to hear that backstory. 🙂
Congratulations and very well-deserved. A powerful, evocative and beautifully’crafted poem ❤
Congratulations and very well-deserved. A powerful, evocative and beautifully-crafted poem ❤
Thank you, dear Julia. What a sweet word. Hope 2018 takes you to higher ground.
Love,
D.
Thank you.
How exciting! Congrats!
I was arrested by, “the rules don’t bend”.
Thanks, P. Sigh. They seem to…for men. LOL. But we women are certainly the worse for wear…just from breathing.
My midsection begs to differ… 😄
Ha ha ha. Something tells me you are not alone.
So well deserved Wayfarer, Congratulations!
I feel your HeArT. Thanks, Holly.
It is going out to you! I’m so very happy for you!
WOW…! But no surprise, for it is truly a magnificent poem! That ever so complete picture you express, says it all, well at least to me, to the point of wondering what I was writing about over the years, in the dozen or so pieces I have written on the subject as I dug around to understand that I could express with as much clarity as I read in your beautiful version of that cruel and brutal word… Age!
Most impressive. CONGRATULATIONS!
Such profuse praise. I’ll take it, ha ha ha ha. Thank you, Jean-Jacques. And brutal is right (esp for women)!!!
Congrats, my friend! An honor so well deserved.
-Alan
Thanks, Alan.
Congratulations. How wonderful to have you and your poem so honoured.
I appreciate your taking a moment. Actually, I am quite pleased about landing in the Annual that’ll help furnish the San Diego libraries! A modest start, but a journey of 10,000 miles starts with a single step…as you of all people well know. 😉
Congratulations on the honor, Diana, how sweet it is! Beautiful words, these… It’s not just about aging, but about life and connection. So evocative: My grandmother also cut apples up for us kids! (Blast from the past 😉
I love it when readers connect with my poems. Thanks so much for sharing in this and for the encouragement.
The poem “Age” is beautiful. It really speaks to me being in my 7th decade now and reflecting on years gone by and relationships with grandmothers who loved me. Thank you, EA
I appreciate this. I can only imagine the wealth of your experiences. Thank you so much for taking the time.
wonderfully written work!
I appreciate it. =)
Congrats! That is a real award!
Thanks so much. =)
Nicely done! I look forward to hearing more of your poignant thoughts.
Thanks for keeping up, T.
Congratulations!
Thanks. Not the greatest distinction, but I appreciate the way it’s taking me into 2018. =)
What a wonderful way to start a New Year! “a flurried deck of hands” – so true and an apt metaphor for how fast time flies past a certain age (which I have unfortunately passed.)
I know I’m supposed to age gracefully and own it and love myself and all that !@#% LOL. I don’t much care what I look like, didn’t go shopping (for clothes) at all last yr. But even I understand what the mirror holds up is nothing to laugh about!
Kudos, Diana! So, they appreciate that strange and beautiful mind of yours too, huh?
L O L. One of my favorite comments in the four years…strange mind. Well, I’m sure the judges’ minds aren’t so normal, and it should be a festival of freaks!
Love it!
Beautiful poem & congratulations! Do you live in San Diego? If so, we’re neighbors….
Nope. A longer drive than I’d like (not a very good driver). Thx, C. =)
Are you going to go and read your poem? That would be awesome, as long as you don’t speak like Popeye the Sailor 😀 This is a very beautifully made poem, technically as well as materially. I am in equal parts impressed and moved
Aw, how sweet, K (though you had to ruin it with Popeye, ha ha ha). I think I will. We’ll make it a special Mom-Son day. I appreciate the thoughtful feedback.
Good on you for going, let it shine.
An eloquently voiced poem – And a huge congratulations, you should be very proud!! 🙂
No, wish I could be more proud, ha ha ha. But I appreciate being able to share in the milestone with you all. Thanks.
Enchanting prose. Like a walking metaphor.
What a charming gift. Thank you.
Your reflection of time from different eyes and how perspective changes resonates with me. I like the phrase, “Grandmother’s overripened face.” It makes me think of the apple dolls we used to make when I was young. Congratulations on the recognition.
I’m glad there are pieces people can relate to. I think of Grandma time to time and all her silent suffering. Thanks, Ali.
Congratulations and wishes galore on this achievement!!
I feel like I’ve won a beauty pageant, lol. (Much prefer this. More meaningful.) I love the bouquet of love and cheer. Thank you.
I would prefer this too. From where I see you, this is huge for me 🙂 You are welcome.
What a powerful poem. Congratulations to you!
Thank you, Jen!
Congratulations Diana. Wonderful poem. I like the line: “old age
was a far-off village even if I saw it everyday”.
Love feedback. Thank you!
Congrats, D. Wonderful recognition. Good luck with the reading if you’re going to do it 😊
Thanks for sharing in it, M.
Who knows where you will go after this milestone 🙂
Wherever it is, it sure will take a hell of a long time on foot. I’m a slave to the Boy and his homeschool needs. 😛
Yep, it’s coming down the track and it isn’t turning back! Beautiful poem, D, and congratulations. -C
Ha ha ha, crap – ain’t turning back!! Oh, I just lay me right down and let it have at me. No $ for plastic surgery, lol.
But I must say you give age a whole new meaning, C, with your brawny gallivanting and writing.
🙂 It’s hard to fool Mother Nature, D! But I like to tease her. So far she has had a sense of humor about it. –C
I think she has well accommodated you. =)
Lucky for sure, D. And keeping active really does make a difference!
Diana–what a fantastic writer you are. I am so proud of the recognition. Very well deserved. Congratulations to you, my friend.
Aw, feelin’ the luv. Thanks so very much!!!
What a beautiful poem and congratulations on the award!
Thanks, T. It’s neat writing something real that
speaks to people.
Xxx
Congratulations to you!! Nothing more reinforcing and encouraging than achieving something like this with your writing. I’m very happy for you.
I feel it. =) Thanks so much.
Congrats!! This is sooo good! I love your creativity with the poem. Well deserved honor that they are bestowing on you. Always enjoy seeing your post. What a way to begin the New Year!
Boy, am I feeling the love. =) Thanks for spreading the joy and roses here. 😉
I am glad that you are!! This community is good at spreading the love and Awh!! You are welcome for the spread of joy and roses. 🙂 My pleasure! ❤
It’s a lovely poem, very poignant. Congratulations!
Aw, thanks, M. Hope it’s a great year and your writing is financially rewarding.
Congratulations, Diana. It really is a pretty comprehensive look into the reality of old age. Age does not discriminate but some or a bit luckier than others and age somewhat more gracefully. Every day our body dies a little bit until one day…. Keep on providing your wonderful insight about so many aspects of life.
It’s a surprise, isn’t it? You look up one day and all these lines…My boy is shooting up like a beanpole and I forget that only means I am withering on one, lol. And yes, you read right.
I was speaking of its judicious, unbiased nature. It gives to all. Well, we savor what we have while we have it. Make it a great yr as you can, dear friend.
Thanks, Diana. I surely hope that it is better than the last two. And I hope that yours is a good year too. You have been very suipportive and I appreciate your advice and kind words.
Savor your child and his presence while you can. He’ll be out of the house before you know it.
Thank you. Thank you. Will do. That’s why I’ve not been whining about the writing that’s eluded me. And I know it’s been a tough two years.
Oh, what an honor, Diana — a well-deserved one! Congratulations!!! 😀
Thank you so very much. =)
You’re most welcome, Diana! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Congratulations: for having the courage and talent to put your emotions into words and submitting to the contest — and for being selected. It must feel good to know others can relate to your work. Good job!
Honorable Mention is not something Koreans crow about. =) So I just skimmed the congratulations notice and only just today realized I’ll end up in the Annual that will furnish libraries. Now THAT is pleasing. Thanks for taking a moment and for having walked alongside. All the best this year.
D.
Well done, and thought provoking too. 🙂
Thanks. =)
What an achievement!
Eh, not the greatest. =)
Congratulations Diana!!
Best,
Takami
Thank you, sweet Takami. I look fwd to more of your lovely captures this yr.
This is great! Glad you made it. I really am. By the way, may you find this year more fulfilling, poetry or otherwise. 🙂 🍸
These old bones tell me it’ll be a better year. =) Thanks so much. Oh, it’s been so festive here. Please pour yourself some champagne over there in that corner.
Wonderful memories. Congrats. Well deserved.
Thank you. =) Appreciate your being here.
Welcome. I LOVE how you write, so the pleasure’s mine.
Very sweet of you. Thx.
Congratulations!
Thank you, Luisa.
DIANA!! You are my hero!! This poem is so incredibly powerful, and it reminded me of my mortality. There is no way I can escape the hand of time, so I must live every moment before I can no longer. Damn girl, you are so incredibly talented, and your words never fail to leave an imprint. Congratulations – you killed it! Oh, and Happy New Year!! Lots of love and hugs! xo
Ha ha. You burst through the door with love and encouragement. Thank you, T. You always leave me with a week’s worth of energy to tackle life with. Hope this yr’s kinder to you.
😘
Beautiful, Diana, and so deserving of the win. I love the sprinkles of imagery, the slow realization that time and age are almighty as it trods over our grandmothers, mothers, and then us… and in time our children. Stunning work.
Grateful for the generous word, D.
Your words are lovely and almost turn the affliction of aging into something beutiful. I cm almost see the apple being peeled as I long for one myself… jc
I love it, JC: “almost turn the affliction of aging into something beautiful.” Thanks so very much for the thoughtful read.
Blessings.
You are welcomed… jc 🙂
Ah, the sneakiness of the aging process – we don’t notice it so much on the inside, but looking at pictures is a dangerous process. Now I look for the pics of my daughter when she was a baby to show her that she looked just like her own little baby girls! And I look back in amazement – where have all those decades gone?
I was just the other day marveling that it was time to start thinking about Thanksgiving already and next thing I know, time has dumped me on the other side of the wall. I understand they call this country 2018, lol.
Love this poem, Diana! “and now I feel oldness on the other side of the wall.”’ Wow, that and other phrases really hit home. Within inches of touching 80, my wall is thinning much too fast! I related to your grandmother image, my own a WIP book featured character. Congratulations! Your poem’s a winner! 🎉 Christine
Wow, Christine. You sure are going strong at 80. Happy upcoming big bday. What a gift, your milestone and who you are to loved ones. Thank you for your time.
Xxxx
Congratulations. Your poem is a beautiful kaleidoscope of aging. I’m eighty-one and understand, yet beyond the wall is a mystery.
Mmmm. Lovely. You just left us a poem. 😉
This is so very moving Diana, I love the transition to understanding. Many congratulations on its success!
Aw, with the understanding came despair, ha ha ha. But I will look back on the photo in twenty years and say gosh, I’d love to look like that again! Thanks.
I read it twice, savoring the wonderful way you crafted thoughts about something we all address in one way or another. Congratulations!
Was thinking of you, Susan. Twice is always an honor. Sweet feedback, thanks.
Oh I love it! Congrats Diana 🙂