One Step After Another

Today has been an incredible day. This week has been wonderful. I keep thinking this is a dream and I'm going to wake up soon, but after pinching myself numerous times I'm convinced this is really happening.

After school I rushed to my car and drove to the community college to speak with Ms. Abuisba, the primary person in charge of the contest and member of the English department at the college. I think she may be head of the department, but I don't know for sure. She gave me some forms to fill out for my submissions, some for the records and one for the play which will be entered into a larger scale literary contest.

Look:

As part of The League for Innovation's International Literary Competition, Florissant Valley holds its own annual contest in the genres of poetry, short stories, personal essays, and one-act plays. First place winners in Florissant Valley's competition will compete against winners from the other St. Louis Community College campuses for a first prize of $100. District winners will then be entered into the League for Innovation's international contest where the prizes are so much as $500 and winners are published in an annual anthology.


I'll be entering the Flo Valley contest. I'd like to think that I would go on to the next level, but I'm going to be realistic. International? The chances are slim. There are a million other writers out there who are just as talented and more so. But hey, I'm enjoying the ride while it lasts.

Futhermore, we discussed some upcoming events such as an awards night and poetry reading night (I nearly fell out of my seat when she brought them up). The dates are unknown at this point, but she'll be sending me the information as it comes to her. The poetry reading is a night where many writers come together (not sure if they are the writers accepted to be published?) and one at a time go up to the microphone and read their poetry, which I am definitely doing. Who knows what doors that could open? Who knows who will be there?
Maybe no one important, but it's worth going.

The literary journal will be published in late April. I'm not sure how much it will cost, but if anyone is interested in buying a copy, let me know and we can discuss it further.

As for the contest at Flo Valley, I'm allowed to submit three pieces. The play is going in because they believe it's creative and entertaining and would like to enter it. So that leaves me with two other pieces. The genres are poetry, personal essay, short story, and one-act play. Poetry has become my forte, therefore I think it best to enter two additional poems. I'm set on Pascal's Revolution since it won the contest here.
So I ask you, what the third entry should be?

My poetry can be read at
www.writerscafe.org/writers/seraphicdaffodil

Some poems are currently down, such as In Gold, due to the contest.
I thought L'arbre Feu may be a good match. However I am very iffy about how they would handle the French, but it's essential to the poem. I also would need to edit it because I forgot to make an important transition in it.
Thoughts?
If you think a better poem would do, let me know.
A few other poems I'm relatively proud of are Fireflies; Alpha Lyric Dance, a Calling; and A Writer's Littoral.
Thoughts and opinions of anyone and everyone are always welcome.

Really, I am in utter amazement. So many steps have been taken. I've come such a long way, and yet have a much longer path ahead of me. And the most exciting part is that I'll never know which way the road will turn. It's like riding a rollar coaster in the dark. You know you are on the ride. You know there's a track in front of you. You know that it will contain some surprises, but as to what, it remains a mystery. All you can do is sit, hang tight, and enjoy the ride. Oh and scream at the top of your lungs until your throat is sore the next day. Yep. I'm screaming. With joy. And not to mention adrenaline.

I guess we just all have to take one step after another, whether it's walking, running, or dancing.