Welcome 2 the dream...

Have you ever dreamt of something

that was so real and vivid to your imagination? And when you woke up, you found that it was just a dream and it was not true? Have you ever dreamt in living colours whereas you could taste, smell, hear and touch everything in it and you just knew in your heart that it is real?  Have your ever had thoughts and feelings that were so strong that you just had to write them down before they went away forever?

The dream is alive!

"Sometimes the only thing standing in the way of your writing a great story or poem, is you." You may already have written a masterpiece but are afraid to show it because you wonder what everyone thinks about you. Well, I'm here to tell you that it's just not about you anymore. I mean, once your thoughts and feelings have been realized, it becomes part of something greater than yourself. That is one reason why you may feel good, as your spirit freely moves to convey the message you choose to express, through writing a story or a poem.

Show us how you dream... 

Andre L. West

DreamQuestOne.Com

The Dream Quest One Poetry Contest - Winter 2008-2009 Winners are as follows...

The Poetry Contest First Prize Winner is:
Alyssandra Nighswonger of Long Beach, California, USA

“Beautiful People”

You come into my life and I am stunned by you, you beautiful people.

The things you say. The things you create.

The way your mouth moves. I’m awestruck.

I just want to sit back on the wall, like a fly and observe you.

I want to absorb you.

Then my beautiful people, you leave.

You do ugly things.

When it’s time to fly, I find that I’ve stuck myself to the wrong part of the wall.

I’m stuck observing and absorbing.

Oh beautiful people, you are so hard to loathe, so I loathe myself.

I wish I could harden and become the wall.

The wall is cold. The wall is reflective.

It only absorbs the deep vibrations of the earth.

And with those vibrations, the heartbeat of life.

But what is a heartbeat to a wall?

The blood in my veins warms my fingertips, so that I may touch many.

Those same fingertips reach out.

They hold tight to the warmth of another.

I reach out to you, my beautiful people.

I reach with my fingertips, my blood, my heart.

But, I can’t hold tight to you.

I found a bitter pill where I sought warmth.

My fingertips curled hard, but could not hold themselves.

I wish I could say I was through with you, my beautiful people.

But I’m awestruck.

I feel the heat of my eyelids meeting.

I can’t see clearly until I close my eyes.

The beauty of my own being, I too easily overlook.

I, too, say beautiful things. I create beautiful things.

I am beautiful, too.

By Alyssandra Nighswonger

(Age: 23) I'm a songwriter in Long Beach. I host an open mic at the Viento y Agua Coffee House and live with Ellen, the amazing piano player on my band. We make music all the time. I'm a recording student at Long Beach City College. I work at Disneyland as a letterbrush artist, in which is pretty much the best part time job ever. Biggest Influences: Harry Nillson, Nick Drake, Paul Simon, Mason Williams and Alma Luz Villanueva.
_____________________________________________

The Poetry Contest Second Prize Winner is...
 Barbara Peabody of Tucson, Arizona, USA

“Just in Case”

I bought two hats

In case

One blew off

I took two apples

Just in case

I bought two parrots

In case

One flew away

I made two keys

In case

I lost one

I made two friends

Just in case

I worshipped two gods

In case

One failed me

I revered two saints

Just in case

I loved two men

In case

One left me

I wanted two children

Just in case.

A poem written by Barbara Peabody

I am a professional artist (painter & photographer) and have lived in the southwest for 40 years, am bilingual (Spanish), and have also lived, travelled and exhibited my art in Latin America. My first book was published in 1986, "The Screaming Room." I established the first AIDS art program in the U.S. as well as HIV/AIDS counselling & advocacy & cofounded co-operative art galleries, as well as raising 5 children.
_____________________________________________

The Poetry Contest Third Prize Winner is...

Liam Yates of Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

“Cold Emotion”

The church was solemn

Gray and bleak

As the bishop turned to speak,

No tears would flow.

Words of God

Spoken to his now cold follower.

The priest’s attempts at humor seeming odd,

Still, no tears would flow.

I recalled his deeds

His actions, words,

Vows, pledges, and creeds,

Still, no tears would flow

I went home, heard my keys fall

Pondering the bleakness

And grief of it all,

Still, no tears would flow.

Then, I saw a photo of him

A grin on his face, happier

Than I’ve ever seen him, ever.

Then, and only then,

Tears flowed.

By Liam Yates

Age: 14

(On the death of my grandfather)

Liam Yates is a freshman at Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC. He is an honor student, budding writer and actor who performs frequently at NRACT (North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theater). His writing interests lie in writing poetry on varied subjects and science fiction stories. "Cold Emotion" was written after leaving the funeral service for his paternal grandfather.
Liam resides in Raleigh, NC with his parents, younger brother and sister.
_________________________________________________

Dream Quest One Writing Contest Winners - Winter 2008-2009

The Writing Contest First Prize winner is:

J. Renae Conlee of Lubbock, Texas, USA

Click here to read the First Prize Winning Story @ Dare to Dream page 2...



Enter the Contest by Clicking Here!