Cecil County Tourism: Poetry Contest

In order to promote the arts as well as Cecil County, the Office of Tourism sponsors a bi-annual contest for poets. The next poetry contest will be in 2008. The poetry contest has two categories, one for residents of Cecil County, MD, and one for visitors (non-residents) to the County. We are looking for entries that "best capture the spirit of Cecil County". The winning entries will be featured on this website and receive a cash award of $100. Entries may also be used in other Cecil County promotional media.

Poems may feature any setting that represents the county. Only printed poem entries may be submitted. Winning poems have been posted on this site for the 2006 winners.

The poetry contest begins this year on March 1st and closes on November 5 (or 6th if the 5th is a Sunday). All entries should be mailed to Cecil County Tourism, 68 Heather Lane, Suite 43, Perryville, MD, 21903. Poems that feature any place, activity, or event within the county are welcome. Click on "Entry Forms" link to print the guidelines and entry forms.

Please call (1-800-Cecil95) or E-mail us if you have questions or need help.

Results of the Lighthouse Poetry Contest 2006

Thank you to all those who entered our second poetry contest. The winners are posted below. We hope you'll continue sharing your talents with the county.

First Place - Out of State Category: Wendy Ingersoll of Newark, Delaware, for her poem "Arrival"
First Place - Resident Category: Carolyn J. Stepnitz of Conowingo, Maryland for her poem "Cecil County - Vacation Bounty"
We also have two runners-up. See their poems below.

Arrival

It's late, my car pulls into the drive,
and I hear the river's lap like an old song.
The night air breathes with the river's sigh
and in a cove of moonlight the sycamore's shadow
leans against the cottage, house and tree backlit
by moon, stars, fireflies weaving a pattern,
signaling me as if all night were serenade.

And the night and the river fill in all my spaces.

by Wendy Ingersoll

Cecil County - Vacation Bounty

Do you like water for your recreation?
Then Cecil County's perfect for your vacation!
Streams of fish flow into rivers for boats,
And the Chesapeake Bay lives up to its boasts!

Do you prefer to travel
Where mysteries unravel?
Cecil's got a dam that can't stop fish,
Or ghosts and legends if that's what you wish.

If Nature is more your style,
You should plan to stay a while.
Lots of animals roam our hills and dales,
And our forests offer such scenic trails!

Scenic? Is that what you like?
We've tours to drive or walk or bike.
Drive to a farm to "Pick your own",
Pick enough to bring some home!

Speaking of food, there's lots to eat!
Simple or fancy, fish or meat.
Dine on the water or picnic by a tree,
In a community park you can visit for free!

There's lots of history, old and proud.
There's also a dragway if you like fun loud!
There are museums and plays and re-enactments, too.
And don't forget to visit the zoo!

Browse our shops and visit our fairs,
For arts and crafts and country wares.
Come for the day or stay at an inn,
Just be sure to visit again!

by Carolyn J. Stepnitz

Runner-up Poetry entries for 2006 Lighthouse Contest

Wandering the County by M. Kei (Gary Bowen) of Perryville, MD
Chesapeake by Vanessa Wilkinson of Colora, MD

Wandering the County

Purple haze on
the Susquehanna River:
wisteria in fog.

Ledge after granite ledge
towers above the village
of Port Deposit.

Red red strawberries
glow with the morning dew;
The church bell tolls.

Jackson Station Road --
the name is bigger
than the lane.

The wild margins
decked with Queen Anne's lace,
a Cecil summer.

Indian blanket spread
beneath the stars;
summer fireworks.

Traffic radio,
"Wild turkeys in the road."
Rush hour, country style.

Winter,
the tourists have all gone
but the herons remain.

by M. Kei

Chesapeake

Little fingers touch my hand.
Looking down I see his dark hair,
His eyes squint against the winter sun.
His mouth moves with words,
His curious mind yearning to know everything.

We walk along the water's edge.
I point skyward at the passing gull.
His tiny finger shows me a
Preening duck.
Hand in hand we move,
With the music of the wild
Filling our heads until we are giddy.

"The sun is falling," he whispers.
A sudden wind bends bare branches,
Sending birds soaring in the sky.
Their wings are thunderous
As they scatter overhead.

"Time to go home," I say.
He nods, tossing one last stone in the Chesapeake.
And I bend and grab him close,
My face pressed against the softness of his cheek.
And I close my eyes and breathe him in
And will myself to always remember.

"The sun is falling," he whispers again.
So I stand and take his hand.
"I had fun," he smiles.
My heart aches with love for my boy
And together we leave the bay.

by Vanessa Wilkinson