For the autumn-winter edition of Writers' Challenge, we enlisted the help of regular contributor and past Challenge entrant, Mary K. O'Melveny. When first discussing the prospect of collaboration on the new Challenge, we described what we were seeing in terms of the themes echoed in a number of submissions for the autumn-winter issue: beauty amidst adversity, loss, saving graces, and deep, difficult emotions. The pieces were a mix of dark and light, suiting the autumn season which has a number of such juxtapositions. O'Melveny came back with a few concepts entrants could choose from. Option 1 focused on change and contrast as reflected in the cycles of seasons. Visual inspiration was provided in the form of links to paintings of Van Gogh, as well as a photograph we chose from photographer, C. Michelle Olson, which was featured on the page. Entrants could write a poem, flash fiction short, or brief personal essay to explore subjective interpretations of change, seasonal themes, or balances of beauty and darkness.
Option 2 explored the topic of climate change intermingled with 2017 weather events. Entrants could use one of the forms of written response listed in the first option to explore transformation through the lens of climate or natural disasters. In lieu of a giftcard, we planned for the prize to be a $25 donation from us at WPWT in the winner's name to hurricane relief efforts.
Honorable mention goes to Harold Beverley and Amy Hoffberg. The winner of the autumn-winter Writers' Challenge was Adrienne Corey. What stuck out about Ms. Corey's entry, was that she derived inspiration from both options, yet also added new dimensions of meaning. Once contest entries had been judged and the winner chosen and notified, we found a well-rated option we utilized for the donation that had relief efforts directed at Harvey, Irma, and Maria. 100% of the donations received by the site are put toward relief efforts.
https://www.hands.org/us-hurricane-relief-fund/
We feature here the winning entry and thank everyone for their participation.
Chance or Choice in the Dark
by Adrienne Corey
Does it strike as strange to
dance and feast in darkest hours?
It is often what's required
of a species
of a world
that shows its colors
most dazzling
in the
dimming
down
The hand of Fate
sets the green and blue sphere
spinning
on the roulette wheel
and landing on black space
keeps em' winning and celebrating
but humans have always been
push-to-the-edge
gamblers.
Drink and sway uninhibited
in your best and brightest
gowns and suits
for there's the threat of
an age of winter
before renewed life of spring
and it could be moments away
from when the ball falls
on red.
Bio: Adrienne Corey is an emerging poet, but a lifetime journaler. She fancies herself a gypsy of the West out on the open road, but in actuality, is tied to a desk like most people. She thinks "green" (not like The Hulk) and has become passionate about environmental awareness in recent years. Her entry ponders the extent of man's influence and what lies beyond it, as well as the beautifully creative and carelessly destructive qualities human beings can possess. It speaks about a myriad of concerns and attitudes held today.
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