First Place: A Thank You Note by Ingrid Pujol

These notes tell the story of dark clouds that low and heavy

Forced sighs out of the skies into the silence heard by many.

Short of breath words and wonders sought a byway below, 

Ink poured down the throat of thunder and struck its blow. 

The sound of the melody’s tones made the downpour hurt

Leaving a mark in the shape of m…“Music”, the given name. 

No one along the byway escaped the rhythms of the threat, 

The heart followed its beat flouting the shortness of breath.

Music lit up the dark for the low and heavy, guiding many. 

Dazzling shimmery light, colors of ink in the skies at seven

Shone upon a rusty string, moonstruck mortal’s vocal cord,

Fingers failed to sing the song and wrote a Thank You note.