For the second year in a row, poets from around the Tri-State have sharpened their pens and participated in the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library Poetry Contest.

In April, 24 poems were entered in the contest. From those poems the best were chosen.

“Every year the poems get better,” says Lori Shafer, adult services librarian at Briggs Lawrence County Public Library. “I invite everyone to read these wonderful poems. All entries for this year and last year can be found in the Phyllis Hamner Genealogy and Local History Room located on the second floor of the Ironton Branch Library.”

This year’s winner and Briggs Lawrence County Public Library’s Poet Laureate was Helen Webb for her poem “I Wonder.”

Webb has been writing poetry her entire life, but has been more focused on her poetry the past 25 years.

In third grade, Helen won her first poetry contest and received a candy bar as a prize. Over the years, she has won many contests for her poems.

As a life-long resident of Lawrence County, Webb has lived an interesting life. She worked at Carlyle Tile in her youth, then went to school to become a teacher.

She taught in the Dawson-Bryant School system until her retirement over 20 years ago.

These days, Webb fills her days writing poetry and with a variety of organizations. She is a member of the Leatherwood Baptist Church, Deering Grange, home makers society, Ohio Poetry Society and West Virginia Poetry Society.

For anyone interested in reading more poems by Helen Webb, they can check out her book “62 Poems That Sing” available at the Ironton Branch Library.

Other winning poems include “My 1995 Dodge Dakota” by Richard A. Heyward, Jr – 2nd place winner; “My Hero” by Terri Botkins – 3rd place winner; “Spring’s Return” by Sharon Sark – 4th place winner; “The Bipolar Circus” by Jennifer Stapleton and “Me” by Nancy Clark – tied 5th place winners. Honorable mentions went to Linda Chapman, Donna Kickel and Jane Bennett.

For more information, please contact Lori Shafer at 740-532-1124 for further information.

“I Wonder”

A fair red rose is blooming here today.

You planted it before you went away.

You cared for it, to make sure that it grew

But left before it ever bloomed for you.

I gazed upon this blazing bright display

Decided to cut and bring inside a spray.

You old white vase I think will be okay.

I placed it on your desk about mid-day.

At eventide I went back to your room

Where all the buds had burst into full bloom.

The fresh sweet scent of roses filled the air.

I sat a while in your old rocking chair.

Somehow, I felt your presence there with me.

Did you return today, and did you see?

— by Helen Webb