Can Squirrels win Publication of the Month on Spillwords?

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Spillwords.com announced the nominations for Publication of the Month of May! My poem “A Squirrel’s Front Teeth Never Stops Growing” was nominated. The competition includes some fine poets and writers. Congratulations all! ♥️🎈🍾🌺🌹

Check out these amazing nominees. Voting ends on May 29. Thank you for your vote! My poem is included at the end of this post.

To vote, kindly register and/or log in to ensure your voice is heard.
https://spillwords.com/vote/

HERE ARE THE NOMINEES:

The Antiquarian by Steven Elvy
Crescendo by Alan David Gould
Resilience is Her Saving Grace by Lauren Scott
The Road Less Travelled by Vidya Venkataramanan
A Squirrel’s Front Teeth Never Stop Growing by Barbara Harris Leonhard
Sun Over Cadaqués by Kate Aranda Nye
The Dark Night of the Soul by Michael Balner
There Are Angels on Earth by Simona Prilogan
Passages – Last Sailing by Gerry Stefanson
(My) Night-Long Lament by Michelle Ayon Navajas
From The Land of Olives by Nada M. Sobhi
Turning Tables by Nova Loverro
In Memory of Harold Bloom by Jake Sheff
French Fry Etiquette by Judge Burdon

My poem is a double haibun. A haibun consists of a prose poem followed by a haiku.

A Squirrel’s Front Teeth Never Stop Growing

Mom foraged for meals for nine daily. She hunted for quilt patterns and party dresses for teen girls. She gathered sea shells to glue to our gift baskets. She organized our puzzle pieces by colors and shapes. She sorted socks of all sizes and seasons. She stashed pennies to invest in Dad’s retirement. Our nest was always a crowded mess.

One by one, we fell out
and scurried away
to our own trees.

Dad squirreled away all his childhood toys and family heirlooms. To haul from nest to nest. His old red metal truck. His mother’s doilies and kitchen utensils. His father’s tools. Even his old college papers and letters. But my toys, paintings, and memo pads with my poems. Discarded at the base of old tree homes.

My dreams, abandoned
for strangers to scavenge
and rain to drown.


28 responses to “Can Squirrels win Publication of the Month on Spillwords?”

  1. Baydreamer - Lauren Scott Avatar

    It looks like we’re both in the running, Barbara! 🙂 Congratulations!

    1. Meelosmom Avatar

      Congratulations, Lauren! 🎊🎈🎉🍾 I’m honored to have my name listed with yours and the others!

      1. Baydreamer - Lauren Scott Avatar

        Thanks, Barbara, and I feel the same! I love your poem! 💖🎊

      2. Meelosmom Avatar

        Your story pulled on my heart strings, Lauren. It’s so poignant and powerful.

      3. Baydreamer - Lauren Scott Avatar

        Thanks so much, Barbara! It’s wonderful to be nominated, but not fun to compete with friends. 🙂

      4. Meelosmom Avatar

        I know! LOL! I told my husband that I am friends with some of the nominees and even publish them! Small world! 🥰💐

      5. Baydreamer - Lauren Scott Avatar

        Yes, small world! And I hope to submit to your site soon. I’m a monthly contributor to Gobblers & Chewers, but I’ve learned that there are many branches. 🥰

      6. Meelosmom Avatar

        Would love that!

      7. Baydreamer - Lauren Scott Avatar

        I’ll read the guidelines and will submit soon. Good luck, Barbara! This will be a nail-biter week! 😁💞

      8. Meelosmom Avatar

        Indeed! I already pick at my nails too much as it is!

      9. Baydreamer - Lauren Scott Avatar

        😎😂🥰

      10. Meelosmom Avatar

        I messaged you on Messenger with a proposal…

      11. Baydreamer - Lauren Scott Avatar

        I just replied! Thank you again!

      12. Meelosmom Avatar

        Yay!

  2. Cindy Georgakas Avatar

    Oh look at you, Barbara…. Congratulations on this great poem newly inspired. So awesome and I’m wishing you good luck!!!💗

    1. Meelosmom Avatar

      Thank you, my friend! ♥️♥️♥️

  3. paeansunplugged Avatar

    Sure can!👍🏼

    1. Meelosmom Avatar

      You’re the best, Punam! ♥️♥️♥️

      1. paeansunplugged Avatar

        Barbara, sending you lots of love. ❤️❤️❤️

      2. Meelosmom Avatar

        Love back to you, too!!

  4. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    Congratulations, Barbara

    1. Meelosmom Avatar

      Thank you! ♥️

  5. valenciartist Avatar

    Voted Barbara! Best of luck!

    1. Meelosmom Avatar

      Thank you so much! You’re the best!

      1. valenciartist Avatar

        You’re welcome!

  6. Dawn Minott Avatar

    Awesome!! Congrats!!!!

    1. Meelosmom Avatar

      Thank you!

    2. Meelosmom Avatar

      Thank you so much!

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