2nd Place (English Poetry)

Love’s Gale

by Mark Lopez

The north wind

now here blows,

searing skin,

and warming souls.

“The Lord is coming!”

by gusts and whispers

I am told.

Playful, like the sea,

waking, calling, cold.

The heavens speak to me

through this wind

from tales of old.

“Arise! And keep awake!

For not by snow nor harness’ shake

--- but by love’s gale ---

shall somber silence break!”

These days,

Therefore, I pray

The winds

come and blown

my way

Reach far

to where you are.

Bluster you free

let you to see

have no fear

make you hear

“The Lord is coming!”