Finalist in the 2024 Washington Poet Laureate Contest

I recently became a finalist in the 2024 Washington State Poet Laureate Contest! I have been writing for over 20 years and to be considered for this is truly a dream come true. I had to put together a 10-poem collection with the theme of water and wrote part of the essay to be published in my novel, and here it is: **Essay:** Water is the ultimate symbol of life and death. It is what allows us to thrive as human beings, yet it is also what we fear the most when it rages against the shore. It gives us nutrition, washes our hands, and makes us feel clean. But we also drown in it, it rips us apart, and sometimes we cannot escape its wrath. I grew up in Casper, Wyoming, where the lone river running through the city was the North Platte River. It was a beautiful sight to behold, and I loved sitting on the grassy hill watching the river with my small water bottle full of wine. It was at those times that I appreciated the beauty of this world, and was grateful for the chance to live. I eventually moved to Washington State, where the water surrounds us in so many different ways. From the storms that rage against the windows, to the rivers that run through the cities and small towns, to the ocean that touches the shores and reminds us that even the tiniest drop is still a part of the vast unknown. In my novel, I explore the mysterious side of water, where the unknown resides. It is about death and disappearance, and the lengths that humans will go to in search of truth and what is left behind. It is a story of love, friendship, and loyalty, and the beauty that surrounds us even in the darkest of times. The water is the symbol of the themes in my novel, and I have written this 10-poem collection to celebrate the water that holds its secrets so closely. Here is a short excerpt from my novel that captures the spirit of what I am trying to say: As she looked at the picture of Abby, she felt her eyes fill with tears. She had been through so much with this woman, from being her only friend for two years to falling desperately in love with her. She had thought she was gone, but as she sat in her kitchen working her mundane routine she couldn’t help but feel that she was still here. She could hear the sound of the water running through the faucet, as if telling her to open her eyes and look at the whole picture. As I mature and grow, the water has taught me much of the human soul. I have seen the beautiful side, as well as the dark, and I have come to appreciate the grace and power that water holds. I am a human being, just like everyone else, and water is no stranger to me. I wash with it, drink it, write with it, and I pray to it. I am small compared to its vastness, but I am one of the many who love and respect its beauty and are grateful for its mystery. In the following 10 poems, I explore what the water means both universally and personally, as well as what it has taught me about myself and the world. I hope that these poems touch your soul and inspire you to look for the truth and beauty that lies in the water. **Poems:** These poems contain themes of death, love, loss, and self-discovery. They explain the meaning of water both universally and personally, as well as how it has shaped me as a human being. I share with you 10 poems that I have written and rewritten as well as a small sample of my novel that I hope will touch your soul and make you see the beauty of the mysterious waters: **Stormy Night** The storm rages, whipping rain Against the windows with fiery rage I sit on the couch, trying to write With a cup of tea that has gone cold I watch the water as it pounds Against the roof with a wild cry I want to be out in it, feeling The water as it runs down my face I want to feel its icy grip As I lie in the mud, helpless I want to be washed away, to be Freed from the burdens that I bear But I am stuck, unable to escape Satisfying myself with an empty promise I sit and watch as the storm subsides And the water stops pounding against the glass I am still, a leaf on a stream Unable to move, yet afraid to be free **River** The river runs through my hair As I swim in its icy waters I feel the rush and hear its roar As it takes me down to the depths below I see the beauty of the fish As they swim through the ripples I feel the sand as it washes away As the current takes me under I feel the mud as it grabs my foot Tying me there, helpless to move I feel the water as it takes me away On a journey of promise and loss **The Ocean** I walk along the beach As the waves crash against the shore I feel the sand as it shifts Under my feet, as the water washes in I hear the cries of the seagulls As they fly overhead, crying for food I see the beauty of the shells As they lay scattered on the sand I feel the wind as it whips my hair As I stand there, frozen in awe I feel the water as it sprays Against my skin, washing me clean **The Water Falls** The water falls, cascading down Into the depths below, a gentle flow I listen to its song, its melody As it sings of peace, of calm I see the mist as it rises high Into the air, where I can see I feel the water as it touches me Washing my pain away I feel the sun as it lights my path Giving me comfort, a sense of ease **The Fountain** The water falls, flowing gently Into the fountain, a soothing sound I sit and listen, my eyes closed As the water sings its lullaby I feel my pain as it washes away As the fountain brings me peace I close my eyes and let go, falling Into the water, where I am free **The Stream** The stream runs through the town Flowing gently, a soothing sound I sit on the bank, watching as it flows Feeling the sun as it touches me I feel the water as it touches my feet Cooling me down, a gentle touch I listen to the birds as they sing Their songs of joy, of life **Lake** The lake lies calm and peaceful Its surface reflecting the sky I walk along the shore, feeling The sun as it shines down on me I hear the birds as they chirp Their songs of life, of love I see the beauty of the trees As they sway gently in the breeze I feel the water as it licks my feet Washing away my fears, my doubts **The Tides** The tides rise and fall, a constant flow As the moon pulls them to and fro I watch as the water moves, its power As it shifts and changes, never still I feel the beach as it changes shape As the water pulls away, it leaves I see the beauty of the waves As they rise and fall, a constant flow I feel the water as it pulls me in A force so strong, I can't resist **Rain** The rain falls down, driving hard Against the pavement, a constant sound I sit and watch, my eyes closed As the water washes through my soul I feel the rain as it touches my skin A cool caress, a gentle touch I listen to the sound of the rain As it washes away my fears, my doubts **Water** The water falls, flowing gently Into the fountain, a soothing sound I sit and listen, my eyes closed As the water sings its lullaby I feel my pain as it washes away As the fountain brings me peace I close my eyes and let go, falling Into the water, where I am free This is my 10-poem collection, I hope you enjoyed them. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this contest and would love to represent the state of Washington as the Poet Laureate. I am very proud of my accomplishments and hope that this collection of poems, as well as my novel will touch your heart and make you see the beauty of the world. Thank you. Shanae W.

Finalist in the 2024 Washington Poet Laureate Contest

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