WILMINGTON, MA — Congratulations to the winners and honorable mentions of the Wilmington Memorial Library’s 2016 Annual Poetry Contest. Over one hundred poems written about “Community” were entered. Fire Chief Rick McClellan, Elderly Services Director Terri Marciello and Adult Services Librarian Kim Rowley served as judges. The library will host the winning poets to read their work and receive their prizes on Tuesday, May 10 at 7pm.
Winners:
- Kindergarten to First Grade: Emma Callahan
- Second to Third Grade: Terry Ding
- Fourth to Fifth Grade: Patrick Stokes
- Middle School: Madison Wright
- High School: Callie O’Connell
- Adult: Christine Blaisdell
Honorable Mentions:
- Kindergarten to First Grade: Preston Hunt
- Second to Third Grade: Kyra Turner
- Fourth to Fifth Grade: Carlena Osgood
- High School: Joseph George Tavanese
- Adult: Richard Medeiros
Winning Poems:
Wilmington Rocks by Emma Callahan
Wilmington rocks!
The people
The neighborhoods
The schools
My friends
Wilmington cares!
The police
The firefighters
The teachers, especially Ms. LaFauci
Wilmington has cool places to go!
The parks
Silver Lake
The library
My friends’ houses
Wilmington is the best place around!
Helping the Community is Great by Terry Ding
Help the community
May start with different places
Love the world
And have happy faces
Help the community
Protect all natural things
It means some snails and butterflys’ wings
Help the community
Save a blue jay
Pick up trash
Open your own pleasant way
Help the community
Plant some trees you’ll see foxes
Coming back to our community
All Around the Community by Patrick Stokes
Police officers roam the streets,
Firefighters are here and there in a heartbeat,
Teachers teach kids,
Coaches help improve kids,
Kids will become your friend,
Parents drive you places till the end.
Librarians help you pick out books,
Barbers give you new looks,
Doctors keep you staying healthy,
Physical therapists make sure you are stealthy,
It is everyone’s duty,
To serve the community.
My Library by Madison Wright
Who would want to leave my community?
In my community,
There are many people.
They are compassionate, neighborly, and joyful
And ready to help everyone.
Why would I want to leave?
In my community,
There is lots to see.
We have schools, parks and historical places.
People are always fixing them up.
Why would I want to leave?
In my community,
There is a library.
It has all of the most glorious books.
The people there, always there, ready to help.
It is the most amazing place in the whole world.
Why would I want to leave?
The whole community is great!
But the library is the best thing in it.
Who would ever want to leave?
Home Town by Callie O’Connell
A town can play a part in so many facets of life
Memories flood my mind…
Long walks with my family and dogs
Playing at the parks until the sun went down
Celebrating 4th of July with fireworks and eating caramel apples
Easter egg hunts and candy
Horribles parade dressed in my favorite costumes
Road races
Concerts on the common
Christmas tree lighting and
horse carriage rides
Schools filled with caring staff
Kind, helpful neighbors
Supportive friends
Family is important in Wilmington
I have learned my values here
A safe place I am proud to call my home
I am preparing to start my next chapter in college
I hope to make my community proud
Wilmington is a special place in my heart
It will be here for me, always
The Neighborhood by Christine Blaisdell
There’s a road on a map, right here, you see, in a town like yours or mine.
I’ll bet if we could visit it, we’d be sure to find…
That Mrs. B. bakes cookies for the twins who live next door
For helping her with shoveling when she could do no more.
Chris solicits Jackson’s help in changing a flat tire.
And Fay clears snow from the hydrant, here, in case there is a fire.
Lester lends his ladder to his neighbor, Jan Louise,
So she can climb up high enough to tend her apple trees.
Mario makes a meal or two for Mary’s family
Because her husband isn’t well and needed surgery.
Cassie feeds the Carters’ cats while they’re in Syracuse.
Dante catches Donna’s dog, when it somehow gets loose.
Theodore buys thin mints from the scouts across the way.
And Sharon shares her bubbles when Bernice comes out to play.
Zoe gives out garden-grown zucchini, all for free,
To Mr. Brown, so he can try a brand new recipe.
Charlie donates sidewalk chalk to Linda’s home day-care
Since his own kids have all grown up and move to who-knows-where!
Lending, helping, reaching out – just doing something good,
Transforms that road on a map, you see, into a neighborhood.
(NOTE: The above was submitted by the Wilmington Memorial Library.)
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