Entering Poetry Contests and Being Published with my Husband
Entering Poetry Contests and Being Published with my Husband in 2024
by Patricia Tiffany Morris
When I completed my first fictional short story in my 50s, I wrote for healing and distraction from the real world of inevitable struggles we all face. Of course at times we might believe our trials will never end or that our problems are the most heartbreaking. But when I immersed myself into the writing world, I found hope in the space between the words and poetry has long resided on my list of favorite activities.
I joined online social media groups, became a member of several Christian writer’s groups, and attended my first conference in the mountains of North Carolina in February of 2019 at the Asheville Christian Writers Conference.
My husband drove with me from our home in Iowa to one of the most beautiful places on earth. We planned an extra long trip to meet with a realtor for the possibility of finding a home in Black Mountain. And after the three day conference, I signed up for another conference in May of that same year at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. I was hooked by the proverbial writer’s bug.
I enthusiastically joined more FB groups, set up three Instagram accounts, jumped into critique groups, and several new memberships. I entered three poems into two different writing contests with Serious Writer and Word Weavers International, and won my first two poetry awards.
I’m a published poet and grateful for this season of life and a fascinating new career. What a marvelous joy in my old age to develop writerly and artsy friendships and to pursue all the creative projects I once loved in my youth.
May the Lord bring you a fresh goal and vision for your life in 2025.
Love always, because of Jesus Christ,
Patricia
River-Tangoed Prose
When thoughts bleed and grief whirls
Like spent cattails splintered in the wind,
I weep.
Words cut like sawgrass
Through the pages of my story—
A writer’s opus in river-tango prose
Until hope blooms again.
by Patricia Tiffany Morris
First published in Lyrical Iowa 2024 Anthology by the Iowa Poetry Association. Editor Marilyn J Baszezynski.
And congrats to my hubby for his poem in the same publication.
Mothers Day
Some have seen the form and heartbeat, and felt the sturdy kick
And struggled with discomfort during mornings they were sick.
Others fought red tape and prayer their patience would prevail.
Adopting hopeful opportunity with a love that would not fail.
But don’t forget the mothers who must sorrow every year.
Miscarriage, stillbirth, children’s death remembered with a tear.
So celebrate a mother with some candy and a card
But pray for restoration when life’s been very hard.
by Marvin Morris
Also first published in Lyrical Iowa 2024 Anthology.
Check out other poems on my PROSE & POETRY page.
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