THE THIRD POETRY PRIZE WINNER –
SUMMER 2021
is Kelly Smith
of Whittier, California – USA
“We Were Here First”
A dark piercing corner in my mind
leaves my ancestors scratching
A soft bright light encompasses me
and swallows me whole
Secrets better forgotten send my
mind floating above me
A delicate whisper soothes the ache
in my broken soul
Demons chase my angels
into desolate corners
Hope reaches out
in the shape of a feather
Ire from a furrowed brow leaves
me speechless…for now
Island angels relieve the angst
within a bleeding heart
It is done
Heaven’s won
Pain released
Stain is gone
# # #
~By Kelly Smith
About the author:
My name is Kelly Cherie Smith. I was born and raised in Downey, CA. I was a preschool teacher for 17 years. I have 3 children who are my pride and joy. I am now semi-retired working part-time at a retirement home. Covid sidelined my job during the quarantine. I joined a poetry group as well as Bible Study and I got a dog. Those three things and my family helped me keep my sanity this year.
