a snow avatar

Every year, the local library hosts a writing contest. Write Here. Write Now. They usually provide a theme word and ask that submissions in various categories include that word. This year's word was 'journey'.

I hadn't intended to participate in the contest this year, busy as I was with other goings on. Towards the end of May though, it occurred to me that this one poem I had written a long time ago would probably make a suitable entry for the contest. So I pulled it out, formatted it, and sent it off.

Then completely forgot all about it until I got a call from the library last week, informing me that the poem placed first in its category in the 18+ age group. How amazing is that!

Here's the poem for you to enjoy!

A Snow Avatar

I do not wish to become a star when I die.

Let me become snow instead
so the snow clouds may carry me wherever they please.

Even when I tumble to the ground from dizzying heights
a million flakes, a billion flakes,
I will do so gently.

So pure and clean will I be,
you will not have the heart to trample on mine.

I will wait for the lone child to come and press their cheeks to me,
to make snow angels and bring them to life by the magic of their touch,
to make snow balls to hurl into the air,
to pack and roll me into a snow-person or a snow-bear.
I will not mind a carrot-nose or button-eyes or twig-arms.

Proudly will I stand
until the spring sun thaws me
into a shapeless mound,
melts me, softens me,
so I can slink through the earth,
make the slow, deliberate journey
to the roots and the seeds waiting for my call,
and whisper in their ears,
"Wake up! Now is the time to bloom."