December 21

Teen Writing Contest!

Looking for a writing opportunity over winter break (besides working on your next submission to The Crow’s Nest)?

Check out the Loudoun County Public Library’s short story writing contest for teens. It offers cash prizes and a great chance to get your work out there. See rules and last year’s winners at https://library.loudoun.gov/iaw 

The contest runs from January 1 through March 1, so now is the time to work on your submissions!

December 21

“Thank You” by Aascharya Srinivasan

Thank you, my cookies, for turning out the way you did.

You really surpassed my expectations,

So I opened up the trash can and farewell, I bid.

 

Thank you, slimy dough,

For getting on my shirt

When I thought the electric mixer was on slow.

 

Thank you, to the chocolate chips that went straight into my mouth,

While I was preheating the oven to 530° rather than 350° 

Whose deliciousness prevented them from getting thrown out. 

 

Thank you, cursed salt,

That was measured in tablespoons rather than teaspoons.

Actually, that was probably my fault.

 

Lastly, I would like to thank my lovely mother,

Who lied to me after eating them,

And pretended to want another.

Category: poetry | LEAVE A COMMENT
December 14

Writing prompt: snow!

Have you seen the forecast lately? The first snow of the season is expected Wednesday. Why not take the opportunity to write about it (or, photograph the snow and send us your best artistic work, or your artwork inspired by snow).

Writing prompt: How do you feel about snow? How can you describe snow so that it’s a metaphor for something larger, deeper, or more complex? What about the muffled silence of the world during a snowstorm?

Try describing snow–or something happening within or near the snow–in a literal way that also works as a metaphor. Send us your best! Check out the “submissions” link for details 🙂

December 8

“Morning” by Li Shi

Morning

Li Shi

 

Lured by the aroma of coffee,

you stumble into my gaze,

droopy eyes, still blanketed

by the thick fog of sleep.

Haloed by the soft sunrise, 

you are but an angel

to my mortal eyes.

Which side are you on?

I would commit unspeakable sins,

stain my hands irreversibly

so long as you will still

grant me your presence. 

Who am I 

to indulge in such avarice?

Like a cat,

I bask in your warmth,

filling in a way that

even ambrosia 

could never hope to match.

Next to you,

I now fully realize

this feeling.

So this is love?