Vision & Verse – Arboretum Poetry Competition

L-R NCCA Artsplace Executive Director Marianne Boerigter, FACF Board Member Susan Wente, Danielle Hendrie, Linda Risenthal and FACF Executive Director Shelly Kasprzycki

L-R Emma Hansen. Analise Duba and Allie Carter

On Wednesday, May 29th, a gathering of poetry enthusiasts met at Arboretum Park in Fremont to hear the finalists of the 2nd annual Arboretum Poetry Contest recite their poems. Two winners were announced; one for each age range category. 

The finalists in the 11-17 year old category were: 
Analise Duba, honorable mention
Allie Carter, honorable mention
Emma Hansen, WINNER

The finalists in the 18 years and older category were: 
Danielle Hendrie, honorable mention
Bailey Evans, honorable mention
Linda Rosenthal, WINNER

This year, the poets had to base their poems off of one of five pieces of art that were on display at the Fremont Area District Library. The pieces were on loan from the NCCA Artsplace for poets to view and be inspired by. Pictures of the artwork were also available on the library’s website. 

The Arboretum Poetry Competition is held annually by the Fremont Area Community Foundation in partnership with the NCCA Artsplace and the Fremont Area District Library. 

Weather for the event was a little windy, but otherwise could not have been more accommodating. The sun was shining and there was still plenty of shade as the gathering of 40 settled in to hear the 6 finalists read their poems and receive their certificates and awards. 

A total of 22 poems were entered into the competition, a surprisingly even split as 11 entries were for the adult category and 11 entries were for the young adult category. 

The hosts of the event hope to expand and improve the event each year as it grows interest in the community and inspires residents to connect with poetry, art, and nature. 

The Cane Pole 
Gritty sand spills through my toes 
As I climbed the rocks, 
The gray faces of boulders 
Just gathering heat for the day, 
Warming my palms. 

He laughs. 
Throws a piece of bait at me. 
"There's not enough room 
For both of us. 
Get your own rock." 

The cane pole wavers in his hands, 
Line trails lazy from the tip, 
Easing and tightening
In water as it flows 
And bubbles below us. 

I can see the bobber play, whirl. 
Ripples expand as it jerks. 
Red white, red white, 
Flips, back and forth. 

I've got one!" he yells. 
The yellow perch arches and flails 
Through humid air as the pole lifts. 
"Wrigglers get 'em every time," he nods. 
Tosses the squirming fish back. 
Too small. 

I see him here, 
My friend. My brother. 
No gray, thin hair, 
No vacant, cloudy eyes, 
No gnarled, spotted hands, 
Gripping a wheelchair. 

I only see two boys, 
Fishing on a summer morning

--Linda Rosenthal

Poppies with Grandma 
Strolling through the meadow of poppies. My grandma and I. 
We picked poppies, 
We laughed, we joked, and we played. 
I smiled at her and she smiled at me. 
Her smile like a nice warm fire filled with glee. 
Her laugh like the breath of sweet summer rain. 
Her eyes like two shining blue oceans and crashing waves that whispered adventure awaits. 
Oh I go back to that place as if to hear that loving voice once more. 
​Even as time passes and she is gone. Every day I love and miss her more. 
I know she is still with me. Holding me in her tender loving hands. 
Even now when my heart is at war I know she is still here. 
I hear her joyful laugh in the pit pat of the rain. 
Even the soft blue sky calls her name. 
As the wind proclaims I love you my little poppy. 
I see your love everywhere I go. So I hope that you know. 
I will always love you as long as the poppies grow.

​- Emma Hansen