Competition Winners – October
Festive thanks to all who entered our Christmassy competition. Our judge, Robin Thomas, had a difficult job, but here are the winners, whose poem/flash will be published on lovely Christmas (post)cards! Special congrats to Elly Nobbs who has been independently selected for a second time!
WINNERS
Poetry:
Elly Nobbs
Flash Fiction:
Naming Fate
I watch the social worker’s smiling face as she carries the swaddled bundle towards me. “Your daughter,” she offers.
I close my eyes, too afraid to look just yet. My thoughts race and my hands shake. Breathless and tingly all over, I shout in my head: Believe!
I reach out past my grief and receive her into my barren arms. The warmth and weight of her feels right, like she belongs. I look down; she looks up, and the years of aching and worrying and waiting release, dropping onto her downy head like quick summer rain.
Soft laughter from familiar voices fills the room. I join them and wipe away my tears while memorizing the pink pucker of her lips and the curve of her creamy cheek. I bring her closer, bow my head, and breathe in the scent of my forever.
They said it was “luck” that brought her to me, but I’ll call her Fate.
Shermie Rayne