Congratulations to Lynn Kaiser Conrad on earning first place in poetry for her poem, Tropical Depression, in the 2025 Sassafras Literary Adult Writing Contest!
First Place – Lynn Kaiser Conrad – Tropical Depression
Second – Lisa Calhoun – The Can Family
Honorable Mention – Lora Bunch Carr – Waiting Rooms
Third – Sheila Temple – Weeping Still
Here is her winning entry:
Tropical Depression
Through weather worn spindles,
light and shadow create a parallel pattern,
awash with sea spray, as ocean waves bloat,
with off-shore storm, rumpled rolling green surface,
blanketed with a crochet foam lattice, laps the shore.
Happy sunshine in foreground, obliterates ominous background.
Window couture of late summer storm season,
along southern states:
plain and simple, natural and neutral tones,
boxy squares and rectangles, cover all, leaving nothing to the imagination. Occasionally a button down, waffle weave aluminum,
drapes slightly sexier and more expensive.
A temporary fashion statement everyone hopes won’t last long.
Roaring and raging, untamed lion,
reminding mere mortals of the powerful sea,
frothing at the mouth, spitting and spewing anger.
A gradient, gossamer, grey veil masks the horizon,
concealing the unwelcome visitor, forcing his way ashore, wreaking havoc, plaguing people with anxieties,
as debates over evacuations preoccupy front porch conversations.
To an unassuming tourist who,
traveled for a well-deserved vacation,
balmy breezes are respite from demanding summer sun. Change in air pressure, absence of humidity,
gently coerce the traveler to linger.
Locals, with sea salt skin, know
barometric pressure and wind shift bring unwelcome guests.
Sun has set, curfew in effect, plywood protects,
as He threatens to bear down on this residential community. 120 mile an hour winds,
thunder lighting, torrential downpour in the dark of night. A woman’s voice;
a beam of flashlight frantically trots up and down the sidewalk, calling for Abby.
“Abby please come home!”
“Abby where are you?”
Her storm arrived early, drenched, desperate, biting nails, wiping wet bangs off worried forehead.
The tufted titmouse is far more courageous,
than larger feathered fowl adventurers.
Out from its hiding place, perched on feeder,
husband and wife chirping back and forth, discourse about tasty seeds. Plumed cousins hide in shelter as
Millibars drop.
Powerless when electricity is gone;
after storm debris takes years to clean and heal.
Foliage placed by the curb.
Indomitable spirit, resilient as it appears,
has deep tissue bruises, not easily seen,
which flinch and ache in tropical depression.