New Beginnings

As I touched your skin,

The warmth of your glow,

How soft your first touch is,

Your love is mine.

Your voice called to me,

As I ran to you,

My hand touched your soul,

Made me tremble with fear.

Your sky blue eyes warmed my heart,

With the soft touch of your hand,

Happiness grew within me,

Happiness is being with you.

As I saw your warm smile,

I felt peace,

And love,

And serenity.

Happiness is the night turning into day,

The stars disappearing into the light of the sun,

A new beginning,

A new baby.

Second Place Winner 2008

Aleith Cox, 51

Hamilton, ON

With These Rings

We will share our love together,

In a partnership filled

with affection - hugs and kisses

with respect - listening and caring

with generosity - sharing our time and treasures

with compliments - looking beautiful to one another

with joy - laughing and having fun together.



And with these rings, the circle of love binds us,

and shields us from critical eyes.

Finally to be blessed by family, friends and our faith.

With these rings, we will share our lives together.

Honourable Mention 2008

Robert Condon, 52

Peterborough, Ontario



Photo: Just SallyRye

Glorious Land

Love is glorious in this land

we shouldn't move, but stand

helping others and never making demands

we mustn't stop, but understand.

We walk together so happily,

this isn't everyone's destiny.

Soldiers fighting is the key

this hasn't come easily.

We are without a king,

so we don't have to sing

about how it might sting

if we weren't proud and welcoming.

Our flag is so beautiful

even though it's not very colourful.

We're all so very grateful

for land that's ever wonderful.

Here no one steals

since there's no killing seals,

where people won't keel

and there's plenty of deals.

We will always stand tall

and we won't dare stall,

as we survive it all

and we won't be small.

Canada is the glorious place,

where we don't dislike any race,

and there is no trace

of anger that's in this place.

Honourable Mention 2008: Ben Waechter, 12

Mildmay, ON

Photo credit: ZedZap(Nick)

Where Do I Belong?

Where do I belong?

Is a question we ask ourselves,

From time to time,

When we’re kids, teens or adults.

Asking ourselves “Where do I belong?”

Helps us fit in with friends.

Helps us fit in with family.

Helps us fit in at our workplace.

Asking ourselves “Where do I belong?”

Helps us fit in society.

Or even at home with our parents.

Ask yourself “Where do I belong?”

Everybody fits in somewhere.

Everybody belongs somewhere.

We all have a place in the world.

Where do I belong.

****************************

by JOANNA DRASSINOWER, Toronto, ON, National Ideal Way 2008 Poetry Competition second place winner.

Photo credit: anniferrr

Born Again

After the last light disappears

the shadows come out to play

caressing the water's surface

covering the land in a blanket of darkness.


As the angels look from above

watching time pass

sitting on a bed of clouds

listening to the earth breathe

God's children finally fall asleep.



Morning comes

and the sun touches her wings

bringing her to life

blowing her hair

signs of a beautiful day.



Sitting by the lake

looking up

I wave at someone

and she waves back

I will never forget her.


Benjamin Prins 2009(Benjamin Prins has published two books of poetry, Words Of Emotion In Motion and Words of Emotion In Motion: Just For You.)

Contact Ben at games901b@live.ca.

Photo credit: Sheffield Tiger