Now, without any further ado. Let’s announce the winner.

The grand winner of the I Have a Dream Poetry Contest 2022 is:

CHRISTINE OWENS – BETWEEN ARTIST AND NATURE

Christine Owens is an art curriculum developer and instructor at Murphy Learning Center in Texas. She is a member of SCBWI, the Mockingbird Poetry Society and the Poetry Society of Texas. She won the 2nd place award in the 49th annual Collin County poetry competition in 2020, and 3rd place award in the 50th annual Collin County poetry competition in 2021. Her poem “Corroded Voices” was published in A Tribute to Lord Byron, a poetry collection by Wingless Dreamer in 2021. Her poem “The Stage of Ecdysis” was awarded 1st place and published in The Book Of Black, a dark poetry anthology by Wingless Dreamer in 2021. Follow her on Instagram @christine_made_this

The first runner-up is:

PAMELA DENYES – SAFE IN MY RUNNING

Pamela’s award-winning poems are published in several Virginia writers’ journals, Wingless Dreamer, Barstow & Grand V, several international collections by The Poet Magazine, Vallum Poetry and more. Her first two poetry books, The Right Mistakes and The Widow’s Lovers, will be published in 2022 by Kelsay Books. Pamela’s career-based writing included contract nonfiction, developmental editing, and online/print writing. Now retired, she’s harvesting forty years of personal journals to create new works—and fun! www.pbdenyes.com

The second runner-up is:

SAHEB SK – SQUALL or (THE STORMY NIGHT)

Mr. Saheb Sk is a visionary persona who has completed his Graduation in English Literature from University of Kalyani, West Bengal, India in the year 2018. He is currently pursuing Masters in English Literature & language from NSOU (one of the top reputed university in Indian Subcontinent). Mr. Saheb has also completed Diplomas in Geospatial Application in Disaster Risk Management, GIS & Supply Chain Management from Indian Space Research Organization (Govt. of India) Mr. Saheb has also participated in various national & international conferences & Workshops Some of them are “International Conference on Business Research and Innovation”, by MDI M Workshop on “Tips and Tricks on Writing Story Plots” organised by TESOL Society of Bangladesh, Bangladesh. Workshop on “Masterclass on Next-gen Digital Marketing Techniques” by ANTWAK.com, etc. Mr. Saheb has composed more than 25 poems & 5 short stories which are the blend of Classical and modern thoughts. His broad research interests include the Growth & Structure of American English, Globalisation of English language, a view towards Greek and Roman Mythology and the influence upon the classical authors, Classicism in the writings of Renaissance & Romantic Authors. Modernism and its effects on the contemporary literature & culture, etc. SAHEB SK Email: sahebsheik0110@gmail.com

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A huge round of applause for our top finalists:

AMIKA CARUSO – DAYDREAM EYES

Amika Caruso is a 23 year old woman from interior British Columbia. Raised in the mountains, she cherishes the pleasures of solitude and nature for their endless inspiration. She has been filling journals with romantic language since childhood, writing nearly as many pages as she reads. Caruso’s first collection of poetry, She Remains, is due to be published at the end of 2022. She is currently studying for her BA in English while living in the small island town of Ucluelet B.C, meaning “people with a safe place to land”, on the traditional territory of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ.

VISHAAL PATHAK – DREAMCATCHER

Vishaal is a writer based in India. He writes short stories and poems.

HARVEY HUMPHREY – I DREAM OF QUEER REPRESENTATION

Harvey Humphrey (they/them) is trying to be some kind of activist-academic (they want to try to change the world through language). They are a queer, trans, non-binary disabled person living in Glasgow. They have a PhD in sociology on trans and intersex activism. Their academic work and their poems explore the everyday, relationships and bodies (specifically relating to queer, trans and disability experiences). Their favourite food is ice cream. Twitter: @rharveyhumphrey

STEVE GERSON – BENEATH THE SEA’S SWELL THE PSYCHE

Steve Gerson writes poetry and flash about life’s dissonance. He’s proud to have published in Panoplyzine, Route 7, Poets Reading the News, Crack the Spine, the Decadent Review, Underwood Press, Dillydoun Review, In Parentheses, Vermilion, and more, plus his chapbook Once Planed Straight: Poetry of the Prairies from Spartan Press.