‘Contest Winners’ Archives
Wild Violet Contest Winners
After careful consideration by our judges, we are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Writing Contests. Fiction: "Chocolate Spider Web"— Luke Hawley "The Pink Pack" — Susan E. Tornga "Love Letter" — Michael Turner Honorable Mentions: "Men and Smokes" by Jennifer Annessi and "The Point Of No Return" by Elizabeth [...]
Chocolate Spiderweb
"Whoever invented almond bark is a genius." The microwave beeps and my sister grabs two oven mitts off the counter. She stabs the door latch on the microwave, and the door springs open. She reaches into the microwave and pulls out a glass measuring bowl full of melted brown chocolate. "Seriously. [...]
The Pink Pack
She clung to the backpack as if she could not endure the separation that strapping it across her back would entail. Stick-thin arms encircled the neon pink bundle with such force that I thought the contents would erupt like lava from a caldera. My daughter — my heart knots at the word — was four years and three months old the day [...]
Love Letter
The first time we went to the carnival I got so scared on the Ferris wheel that I pissed my pants. I know exactly when it happened. They speed up the wheel just as it’s entering its final spin. I had put on a brave face until then, refusing to tell you that I’m afraid of heights. I wanted to impress you. First [...]
Midwife Man
Julia wants to die in the hot tub but the fool doctor says no, too dangerous. It's her time. Blood-bag sky, full moon aching like a cervix. I boil hot-tub water. Turn on the pulsating jets, light a patchouli circle of candles. I dress Julia in her black silk pajamas, detach the morphine pump from her stuttering pulse. She [...]
Traveling People Part I — Dissociative Blues
She has tears and red eyes In the airport Sitting just steps Away Waiting to fly Waiting to escape her broken world Waiting She bows her head Down Staring into the palms [...]
Terminal Opera
I watched a mockingbird die this morning, With factory smoke and runway to backdrop her exit. Having banged her skull soundlessly against the thick window, she fell on her back. “Oh, no.” I heard myself say. The scaffold of weightless skeleton descended to graceful slow-motion. Feet lost their hold and sank; seed-eyes [...]
June 2010 Contest Winner: Gizmo is Missing
The lights are on at 3 am. I’m wondering, wandering up and down the halls Gizmo is missing. He left Tuesday afternoon – without direction. Never been out of the house. A fat cat content to sleep in the sun has taken up residence in the rain. Gizmo is missing. I’m moving on Friday so the search is frantic. Fliers, [...]
May 2010 Contest Winner: Impact
I park my car In a circle Of wind savaged trees. Branches Leap from their mothers. One babe Taps my door, But I stay inside, in uteri. I harbor my thoughts. They fold within. Pride Is a constant tiller. I will— Not ask him again. No, not again. The topic for May 2010 was "My Favorite Mistake."
