Khine Bonner
Winner of the 2012 Ventura Valdez Spanish Poetry Award
Mi Ciudad
Mi amor
Lleso
Y vivo
Que abarca callejones
Su rosa hormigón
el anochecer de un amanecer
Mi amor
Encendio un fuego
Mi amor
Mi corazon
Una sombra gris
Persiste la noche
calles abarrotadas
ojos angustiados
sueños robados
edificios destrozados
Mi amor
Mi corazon
Mi ciudad
Copyright © 2012 by Khine Bonner.
The Ventura Valdez Poetry Contest for students (present/past) of Montgomery College is sponsored by Gival Press.
Nicholas Leonard
Winner of the 2012 Ventura Valdez English Poetry Award
Song for Humanity
Tonight the gathered crowd is mourning,
in remembrance crying out,
for those forgotten – unimportant,
speaking for the voiceless.
Following the sun,
the light is always visible,
even at the darkest moment
revealing what is hidden.
Bodies trampled over and burned,
hushed and anxious whispers.
Nagging warnings unheeded,
tragic ruin the only result.
Following the sun,
for the light never dies.
The strength of joining, fusion
much stronger than separation.
The mass grave is a harvest,
a careless space in time,
with all respect abolished,
we desecrate the past.
Following the sun,
nourishing all life.
Enshrouded in distortion,
still shines in reflection.
A bitter tear for the lost,
those untouched by corruption.
Innocence like a delicate leaf,
untarnished by vile acts.
Following the sun,
unbending to conditions.
A churning mass of elements,
that never wavers in might.
The smoldering desert before us,
Sears pangs of remorse in our chests.
With full knowledge of what we do,
forced to watch, unable to stop.
Copyright © 2012 by Nicholas Leonard.
The Ventura Valdez Poetry Contest for students (present/past) of Montgomery College is sponsored by Gival Press.