1st Place: Solstice

Luka Stephens

As warm-and-cozy cheery delight 

Fights the cold outdoors

A scent as sweet as pie a slice

Beckons you for more

A taste of pumpkin and gingerbread

Fills your empty heart

A turkey whole and wine so red

Fridgid icicles depart 

When the outside’s cold and indoors’ warmth

Contrast and contort

A fire warm and winter storm

Brick and stone distort

An incantation of frost-tipped grass

Ushers in the freeze

The snow will come as sun will pass

And devour as it please

Furry socks perfectly conformed 

Keeps the spirits light

A sweater worn of wool so warm

Protects from the bite

A scarf of cotton, wrapped snug around

Traps in cozy heat 

Hat woven tight, blocking out sound

Blizzard frost turns oh-so-sweet

In this house we are together still 

Safe from harm and sting

Sheltered in clothes, eaten our fill

We wait for the Spring

The Winter festival jubilee

Brings the joyous cheer

Our warm love around the Christmas tree

Will last until the next year