Literary love floated through the air at the Valentine’s Dance on Friday night, and the audience was enraptured.
OVS English teacher Brad Weidlich stood in front of the student body and read aloud the winners of the annual Love Poetry contest.
Three winners were chosen from the 28 entrants in the competition this year, the theme being love, friendship and passion towards life.
Junior Shelly Xu took the first place with her beautiful poem “Retainment,” which explored the love between a leaf and her branch.
Second place went to Junior Charlie Coe. Her profound, untitled poem perfectly described the interactions between people.
Freshman Sharon Yang placed third, with her piece “Gone,” a sentimental poem dedicated to separated lovers.
“The contest is a way for students to show the appreciation in life, including friends, families, lovers, food and even their pets,” said Mr.Weidlich. “It is not really academic so students don’t have much pressure.”
The contest, which began in the early 90’s, has been organized by Mr. Weidlich since his arrival at OVS about eight years ago.
“When I heard my name I was excited, it’s really surprising,” said winner Shelly Xu. “I think [the contest] is a good opportunity for students to write without the goal of getting good grades — they just write whatever they love.”
The poetry contest is widely viewed as a way of being creative. It is not a mandatory assignment, which renders it enjoyable for both the writers and the audience.
“It is also to show the variety of writing styles and to recognize talented writing in all classes,” Mr. Weidlich said. “It is a good-natured competition.”
Please enjoy the winning entries:
Retainment
By Shelly Xu
But she hesitated
She sighed
When callous sap absorbs
the last wisp of air
He knew it was the time.
Wind flicked his body
He closed his rind tardily
as the first time, also the last
He held her tightly
with the fringe of his branch
She looked upon
as the first time, but the last.
They clearly remembered
last splendid spring
with the excitement of first meet
He held her tighter tighter
She left
carried with the breeze
with his
Retainment.
Winter peacefully arrived
She hesitated
By Charlie CoeNo longer perpetually infatuated
But purposely and platonically aligned
The Adrenaline Saturated individual
Composes themself for every feasible interaction
With the Gentle Being.
Eagerly curling, painting, dressing
Fixing every mark,
Smoothing every crease,
Shining every bit of filth,
In the effort to possibly….
Somehow…
Subtly…excite the Gentle Being,
Who knows nothing of the effort
Put into the Adrenaline Saturated Individuals sharpness.
The Gentle Being gazes simply
As if the Adrenaline Saturated Individual was always this faultless.
Having no idea
Of the effort
Put into getting
Themself that way.
Just for the possibility
Of a feasable interaction
By Sharon YangSlowly, slowly turningAnd disappearing in the crowdsLooking for your receding back figure on tiptoes
Trying to memorize your face, your voice and your smile
But you are gone
Just gone
The young love that sprang from our hearts
Came in a hurry
Gone with the wind
Like lightening in the sky
Like a meteor passing by
By Daphne Psaledakis, Class of 2015, and Shelly Xu, Class of 2014