The Times Publishing Group Valentines Day Poetry Contest for 2016 has provides an opportunity for us to reward four poets in our county for their way with words. Our TPG Poetry Contest winners ran the gamut from: celebrating 67 years of marriage, retrospectives on marriages that have survived the test of time, and the joys of love lost and rediscovered.
We want to thank these local businesses for providing our winners the following fabulous prizes. For the Scotts Valley Times – Dinner for two at the Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley Hilton Hotel, Stonehouse Bar &Grill. For our TPG Winner for Celebrating Over 30 Years of Marriage – Dinner for two at Seascape Resort, Sanderlings. For the Capitola Soquel Times – Dinner for two at the Café Cruz. For the Aptos Times — Dinner for two at Seacliff Inn, Severino’s.
And the Winners are…
Diane Deaver of Aptos for Celebrating Over 30 Years of Marriage — Diane’s prize is a $100 Gift Certificate for Sanderlings, Seascape Resort in Aptos.
Robert Cotterman of Scotts Valley for the Scotts Valley Times — Robert’s prize is a $100 Gift Certificate for Stonehouse, Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley Hilton Hotel.
Lindsay Bell of Soquel for the Capitola Soquel Times — Lindsay’s Prize is a $100 Gift Certificate for Café Cruz in Soquel.
Kevin Knight of Aptos for the Aptos Times — Kevin’s prize is a $100 Gift Certificate for Severino’s in the Seacliff Inn, Aptos.
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2016 Poetry Contest Winner • Over 30 Years of Marriage
Diane Deaver
Aptos
An Enduring Romance
Thirty years of marriage, years of joyful wedded bliss,
Thirty years of happiness I’m glad we didn’t miss.
Our household rings with laughter, you bring sunshine to my heart,
And there’s always something missing, whenever we’re apart.
We’re growing old together, love grows stronger every day,
We’ve formed a bonded team, both in work and in our play.
With respect and admiration, we’ll be together ‘til the end,
You’re my partner, inspiration, you’re my lover and best friend.
Thirty years we’ve been together, we love sharing such a life,
And I’ll always be so grateful you asked me to be your wife.
So will you be my Valentine, I love you, this you know,
If you’ll be mine another year, you’ll set my heart aglow.
This poem was written for my wonderful husband, Doug Deaver
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2016 Poetry Contest Winner • Scotts Valley Times
Robert Cotterman
Scotts Valley
To My Marie Forever And a Day
A lonely GI was he, not a friend in sight did he see
With no pass and in a new place, here he is, stuck on the base
A movie to see, a beer or two, hit the sac, not much to do
But then he heard, “there’s room on the bus to St Louis town to go”
No pass needed, St Patrick’s Day Dance, at the USO
My oh my, what a good break, so a bus ride he did take,
A little shy was he, what to say, hi or hello?
Needless to say, things were going just a little slow
Then a Broom dance picked up the pace
A lady passes the broom and a man she takes
His hand was taken, “Hi” she said, “my name is Marie”
His heart skip a beat or two, maybe even three
“My name is Bob,” said he, but he wasn’t so sure
The poor GI was smitten and there was no cure
They danced till the bus had to go
But the GI knew, when he left all aglow
They would be dancing together, “forever and a day.”
I met my Marie on March 17th, 1946 at a USO “St Patrick’s Day” dance in St Louis, Mo. I gave it to her on Valentines Day inside a valentine asking her if I could have another dance. We’ve been dancing for 67 years now.
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2016 Poetry Contest Winner • Capitola Soquel Times
Lindsay Bell
Soquel
Written to my Forever Valentine, Michelle Ann Bell
When I first saw you in 59,
I never thought that you would be mine.
That bus ride from the game was meant to be,
The start of a full life for you and me.
I sat next to you that night by chance,
The girl I was chasing wouldn’t give me a glance.
Your drill team skirt and white boots that night,
Caught my eye and attention and held them real tight.
My marching band uniform was an obvious sign,
That I was definitely “one of a kind.”
After the courtship, university, and degree,
I knelt and asked you to please marry me.
Three children later and Burbank behind,
Santa Cruz and our deli did fill our mind.
Your love of your garden is a pleasure to see,
Even though the “weeding” gets given to me.
Looking back to observe and understand our life,
Doesn’t mean we haven’t had our share of strife.
Compromise and respect are what made it endure,
True love and God’s blessings made it happen for sure.
Our fifty-two years together has been a delight,
To have you beside me in the darkest of night.
You are my wife to be proud of and say,
That I’ll love you forever on this Valentine Day.
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2016 Poetry Contest Winner • Aptos Times
Kevin Knight
Aptos
To my wife Athena Knight
Left alone, wallowing in pain
A man and three kids, going almost insane
Tragedy had beset and forever lingered beneath the surface
For what or when or how to continue
The future, for me, what was its purpose?
Questions that had to wait
For more important issues were standing at the gate
And the road ahead, long and winding, seemingly endless, empty, and poorly lit
Responsibilities and promises, needed to be priority, and I couldn’t quit
With my head down and moving forward in direction
I seldom thought of life with any type of happiness or perfection
From here, as the Devine always does
Threw us a miracle, out of nowhere, just because
Athena, Athena the name rings in my heart
And the goddess herself couldn’t tear us apart
Down from the heavens to give us comfort relief
I felt a silence from my existing grief
Positive attitude, high energy and compassion are the arrows in her quiver
Calming influence and love are the shots that she delivers
To say “I love you” is the short and easy way
A lifetime of happiness is how I’ll repay
Long way to go so I’m keeping it short
Six kids and two dogs that keep us in port
But the future is bright and who knows what’s in store
Athena – Athena again I love you, and I promise, life won’t be a bore.