top of page
Whispers of Spring
To all the budding writers of the world,
This is your editor fairy speaking! It was an incredible honour to witness the mesmerising works of poets from every corner of the globe who united to celebrate the wonder of spring and the changing seasons. From the delicate blossoms of cherry trees in Japan to the kaleidoscope of colours in an Indian summer, from the rhythmic cadence of a babbling brook to the ethereal dance of sunlight through autumn leaves, the verses found in this anthology paint vivid portraits of the ever-changing tapestry of nature.
Through their eloquent words, lyrical beauty, and soul-stirring imagery, these talented poets effortlessly captured the essence of each season's unique magic, evoking a deep sense of awe and gratitude towards the world. These poems reminded us of the intricate harmony that exists between humanity and the natural world. I believe writing is similar to walking through the seasons. It starts with ideas coming to the mind in fiery bouts and the pen moving on paper with heated passion. Then it mellows down until one is shedding ideas and shredding papers, discarding discoloured visions like leaves. Then it gets dark and windy. Words are blown away in the breeze. The pen, cool to the touch in your numb hands, freezes. It gets unbearably cold, and the world stops. But as the writer's ice block thaws, the tiniest slivers of previously buried words are visible, and slowly but surely, with immense care and love, they grow until they stand as a beautiful piece of writing.I encourage you to keep writing poetry about the season of butterflies and blooms, ice cream in crevices and sunshine everywhere, rainbows in fallen leaves, and snowstorms with warm cocoa. Nature poetry has the indescribable power to transport one to distant lands of lush forests, majestic mountains, and breathtaking landscapes. As a poet, you can serenade the senses and rekindle the connection with the awe-inspiring power of nature's seasons. Continue reading, writing, and blossoming as a poet. We can't wait to see you in full bloom! - Hamsini Mangalampalli
The Flower Crown has chosen the winner of the Whispers of Spring Poetry Contest 2023!
FOUR SONNETS TO OCTOBER - MARVIN FLORES
Marvin Flores is a first generation American whose parents immigrated from El Salvador during the civil war. He began writing at the age of nineteen, shortly after his best friend died in a car accident. He currently resides just outside Washington D.C. in Falls Church, Virginia, where many of his stories and poems take place. Recently his poem “El Salvador” was published in the Delmarva Review.
The first runner-up for the Laurel Wreath is…
SEASONS - SOMDEEP DATTA
Somdeep Datta hails from the city of Kolkata, India. A person of varied interests, Somdeep has a passion for traveling, writing and photography. He has experience working with travel blogs, college tabloids, magazines and publishers. Somdeep is an Engineering graduate with a background in Computer Science and is currently working in an IT role for the Government. Somdeep considers wordplay and satire as the sharpest arrows in his quiver.
The second runner-up for the Laurel Wreath is…
TRAGIC TALE OF A FLOWER - C. SHAHIN BANU
Dr. C. Shahin Banu works as an assistant professor of English, in Sona College of Technology, Salem 5, Tamil Nadu, India. Her poem is about the lament of a flower which describes its life in the garden. Humans destroy it by plucking it from a plant. She has published her first poem in Eternal Melodies Anthology, titled as Glorious Morning, ISN Publication. She has published 28 Research Articles in UGC CARE I & II.
Now onto the Top Finalists!
SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN - WILLIAM DAVID
William David has had a 40+ year career as a Senior Engineering & Architectural Designer working with international mining companies, designing mineral processing plants around the world, including the first SX-EW copper processing plant in Asia, located near Monywa, Myanmar. William is retired now, living with his wife of 39 yrs. in Tucson, Az.
SUMMER DAYDREAMS - MOLLY HANNA
Molly Hanna (she/her) is a Queer Appalachian Poet. She majored in Environmental Studies and minored in Creative Writing at The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Her poetry explores emotion and experience through imagery drawn from nature and her environment - both the beautiful and the ugly. She is passionate about poems becoming experiences and time capsules for herself and others; a storytelling of emotions.
SUMMER IN ME - ANDY BETZ
Andy Betz has tutored and taught in excess of 40 years, lives in 1974, and has been married for 30 years. His works are found everywhere a search engine operates.
FIELD PANSIES - TAFFETA CHIME
Taffeta Chime received a BA in English and Creative Writing (2011) and an MA in English and Foreign Language (2015) both from Middle Tennessee State University. She especially enjoys writing fiction and poetry, with two self-published novels (Stoodie, 2007, and The Last, 2011) and several short stories and poems published across a myriad of literary journals (including The Renew Network, Leaping Clear, and The Laurel Review).
TAKING DOWN THE TREE AND OTHER DEATH RITUALS - MAGGIE BOWYER
Maggie Bowyer (they/he) is a poet, cat parent, and the author of various poetry collections including Allergies (2023) and When I Bleed (2021). They are a co-host of the podcast Baked and Bookish. They have been featured in The Abbey Review, Chapter House Journal, The Elevation Review, The South Dakota Review, Wishbone Words, and more.
SEEDWISE - KATHERINE MATTHEWS
Katherine Matthews was born and raised in Texas. She has a degree in Electrical Engineering, two lovely dogs, and an insistent love for languages.
SUBLIME SUMMERTIME - ALEX PHUONG
Alex Andy Phuong earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from California State University—Los Angeles in 2015. He was a former Statement Magazine editor who currently writes about literature, film, and culture. He also earned an Associate of Arts in English from Pasadena City College in 2013, and tutored there.
WHEN SUNSHINE MEETS SUMMER - KAYLEE STULL
When not teaching, Kaylee Stull is writing horror, sci-fi, and poetry. An absolute horror fanatic, she grew up reading and telling stories about ghosts, monsters, and anything psychological. She is from Northern California and attended Cal State Long Beach where she obtained two BA's in English Creative Writing and Literature. In her spare time, she hones her archery skills. She can be found on social media (Instagram and Twitter) under the handle: @Kitkatstull.
FIREFLY - ILMA QURESHI
Ilma Qureshi is pursuing her doctorate at the University of Virginia, focusing on Persian Poetics and South Asian Literature. Hailing from Multan, a small town decked in southern Pakistan, she grew up with a host of languages and writes in Persian, Urdu, and English. Her work has previously been published in literary journals such as the Tafheem, Tareekh-e-Adab-e-Urdu, Active Muse, The Ice Colony, Rigorous Magazine, Tiger Moth Review, Last Leaves, The Roadrunner Review, and Audio Times.
bottom of page