The Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter recently launched its first-ever fall poetry contest with the theme “autumn.”
Thank you to the poets who together submitted nearly 100 poems — it is this level of community engagement that we can only hope to achieve when we invite the community to participate in activities like this.
The panelist of judges for the contest included myself, Mercer Island Reporter staff writer Katie Metzger and Bellevue Reporter staff writers Allison DeAngelis and Shaun Scott.
Congratulations to the following winners:
First place in the adult category goes to Sammamish resident Carol Heinen for her poem “Yellow Lake”; second place goes to Sammamish resident Patricia Clayman for her poem “Ode to Autumn”; and third place goes to Issaquah resident Sarah Crow for her poem “October.”
In the kids category, first place goes to Sammamish resident Maya Taylor for her poem “Pumpkin Fun”; second place goes to Issaquah resident Amelia Linnemann for her poem “My Autumn Love”; and third place goes to Sammamish resident Ishan Sinha for the poem “Autumn.”
Here are the winning selections:
First place: ‘Yellow Lake’
This autumn path greets me
in light and shade
Coloring my way
with yellow hues and forest greens
Endless water pads
riding morning waves
Woodland guardians watching,
too many to count
No pumpkin lattes
welcome me here
Only lovely birdsong rings
through frosted ferns
Sounds of nature’s true twitter,
with invisible words
Even Siri has no clue to match
this lyrical dew
Carol Heinen, age 49
Second place: ‘Ode to Autumn’
As I sat idly, no thought in mind
I glanced through the window
at the trees in line,
bearing leaves of exquisite colors,
blinding the eyes in glorious array,
not windswept as yet, but awaiting the loss
of natural, but inevitable cost.
Before renewal, in time and place,
nature steps in with infinite grace
reviewing, evolving necessities in season,
ensuring autumn is ready for gleaming.
As it reviews its many changes
so goes the world in its consummate ranges,
the quest for renewal forever remains
and the turning wheel without its chains,
keeps alive the search of each domain.
Such infinity of life will ever be
as long as there are leaves so free,
seen with the frailty of the human eye
the ultimate truths, do not lie.
Patricia Clayman, age 93
Third place: ‘October’
Underneath the yellow apple tree
a simple wooden bench
watches walkers passing by,
Overhead two eagles dance
across the feathered grasses
as they guard the autumn sky
Everywhere a golden glint
of softly buttered sun
and leaves dressed up like rainbows,
A hint of smoke
in the early evening air
as chipmunks sit and chat with crows
Whoever longs for hearth and home,
a time to nest
as well as see the world anew.
watches with anticipation,
the birthing of a season
as October makes its grand debut
Sarah Crow
First place: ‘Pumpkin Fun’
ROUND, LUMPY AND BUMPY
BIG, FAT AND ORANGE
PUMPKIN SEEDS, PUMPKIN PIE,
PLENTY OF PUMPKIN TREATS
SCOOP ’EM OUT,
CARVE ’EM UP,
THAT’S WHAT JACK-O-LANTERNS ARE ALL ABOUT!
Maya Taylor, age 9
Second place: ‘My Autumn Love’
Cascades of colors,
Falling from up high,
Coming down low,
That is giving us a show,
To look at,
Pumpkin spice,
everywhere you see,
In cakes, cookies, and coffee.
Football is here,
For us to cheer for our favorite teams,
“Go, Go, Go!”
We all say,
“Don’t be slow!”
So as you see,
Autumn is for me!
Amelia Linnemann, age 11
Third place: ‘Autumn’
Autumn’s coming with full force
Lack of sunlight is its source
Leaves of green are changing stain
Sun is going with coming rain
The storm provides so plants can grow
Autumn goes when we see snow
Ishan Sinha, age 12
