ROCK*s EDGY WINNERS

See that rainbow? Let there be lots of gold, good health and peace for us all. ROCK is so pleased with your entries; it was tough so I called in a PhD. of Library Science from New Zealand, a well read and published professor of poetry from Canada as well as some random/anonymous readers from L.A., NYC, USA and all the way to Lisbon, London plus other EU friends from all walks of life. I, of course, made the final decision which was extremely difficult. I wish I had the pot of gold to give you all a decent tip!

1st Place- Ruby Red- "Ode to Equity" - Why? Red's edgy entry expressed in my opinion a universal angst, a simmering point we're reaching collectively, as most of us are just about to boil over from our world's bullying "Bills"; that is those who are grabbing what they want when they want seemingly without regard for us average Janes. Paedophiliac? Go ahead and get your groom on. Criminal record? Stay in office anyway. Killing children, bombing humans in multiple regions from Iran to Palestine? Knock yourself out. Taxes? No, you "Bills" don't need to worry. Healthcare in the USA? Nah. Die suckers. Rig elections? How can we help? Dismiss the trans and LGBTQ+ communities health and basic human rights? Ban abortion? Yada, yada. Well, Red nailed it. "And you have the God-given privilege to live every day not giving a single flying fuck." - Unless you are living on an unnamed planet in an alternate universe three black holes away, how can you not feel on edge? My 20 euros goes to Ruby Red.

2nd Place- TIE!!!

Kelli Sheckler-Amsden- "Words Spoken in Anger"

.."(fuck off)

when did that become what is thought of me

when did words get teeth

gritty, bloodthirsty fangs

when did they gain the power

to break more than bones"... *GUT PUNCH!*

Kelli's poetry has re-birthed into a new, more realistic realm. As a frequent reader and someone who has followed Kelli's writing for years, this was by far a break through into writing for herself, without fear (well she may have had some reservations) instead of worrying about what family, friends and the world in general thinks. The minute we let that intrusive little voice in which questions our most powerful emotions when writing, or in life, tis when we usually fall back into our comfort zones. Kelli stepped up to the edge for the challenge and herself.

2nd Place- Henrik Hagelund "Shit, it's Not Raining Men" Vulnerability leaves us all in a precarious place. As a reader who has been touched by Henrik's writing as he has shared and bared his heart-breaking truths more than once, pulled himself up and tried time and time again to find a healthier and happier path in this God forsaken world, here he is finding some humour in the reality that love is elusive and sometimes a dog and a cup of coffee are all we need, ahem, for awhile. Here's to you our Danish darling.

3rd Place-

Maura Bernstein- "Gems" Maura's gem of a piece was a blend of angst, anger, sensitivity, honesty and touched on forgiveness and acceptance. With a hint of journalistic style in her free-verse creation she exposed the ravages of addiction, mental health issues and the unsurmountable uncertainties that she and other loved ones experience when "it's just too much". When does one stop giving a damn and moving on with their own life when all you've known is the chaos that untreated mental health illnesses/addictions bring into a family or a relationship?

Referring to a family photo from her childhood, Maura decides despite the anguish she has been through with her mother, father and brother to hold onto to this frame of time; "I keep this picture as a bookmark for decades, only recently retiring it because the edges are so frayed they’re eating at my precious memory.

In between the spray, my missing shins, the bluest water in the background, and an endless sky are all the things that have hurt me, and the white, chalky paper encroaching on the colors feels like an attempt to take this joy from me, too."

Her ability to bring me a tear was intense. When we stop believing that there are perfect families out there with no flaws, maybe we can work our way to a place inside of okayness- I will never push forgiveness, but I do know moving forward and away from our inner knots is a start in a better direction.

Honourable Mentions- Aarsh Malik "Inheritance of Smoke"

Although the required *expletive* was not included, Aarsh seized the emotions of angst that often arise from rigid familial expectations or perhaps cultural expectations; the acceptance of ones self despite never feeling good enough or seen is essential for the survival of one's inner peace. You get one life, make it yours Aarsh!

Novel Allen- "Quipo of Existential Mattering"

This paragraph could have been the entire poem. It held it's own:

"Days lean in - nights whisper danger,

Nothing direct is happening, not quite, not yet for some -

but the air trembles with the thought of it.

Hands and hearts ache, ears on alert,

doom hovers close,

like moths deciding if the flame is worth it.

Decency holds the line - but waxes thin as a silk thread,

unholiness glares bright as a dare.

We smile, hidden behind curtains half‑drawn,

letting in just enough light to make the shadows interesting.

The rooms stay proper, while the silence on the outside

shifts its weight, testing our inner floorboards,

wondering how far a moment can lean

before it falls and goes to Hell.

Our laughs now linger too long,

our caution brushed a little too close,

and the universe raises an eyebrow

as if to say,

“Careful now -

that’s how the madness starts.”

~

Author's Note: Thank you all so much for entering. It was the first time I have put up an unofficial challenge and it is really hard to wean through those considered friends, aquaintences made via Vocal that I truly admire, and select "winners". You all are worthy and winners to me everyday. So, keep on doing what you do best. Smiles, ROCK aka Andrea