We had a slew of entries for our diabetes poetry contest. Many entrants chose to follow our lead by writing diabetes haiku, while others chose to express themselves in long form. All were inspired and entertaining and we offer a hearty congratulations to all participants!
Below are the top five poems and a youth entry from the contest:
First Prize
Once a certain death
Diabetes is now
something a person can live with.
Once a certain death
of a boy I read about
reminded me
Diabetes isn’t something a person can ignore
and live with.
Once a certain death
standing in the darkness by the bed
as I came sweating and trembling to awareness
reminded me my death
is something I live with.
-Jerry Nairn
Second Place
I hate what you see in my eyes
I know you only know because you love me
Please, when I come around
I mean me
not the me with barren, hungry blood
not the angry, resentful me
I hate that you see it in my eyes
before I know myself
I hate that you learned to notice
please when I come around
forgive me.
If someone can get grouchy
missing a meal
what happens when the brain is starving?
I know, because I’ve felt it
You know, because you’ve seen it
Please forgive me
I hate what you see in my eyes
-Jerry Nairn
Third Place
Sidewalk seam test strip
Bruised petals on wet concrete
The truths left behind
-Kelly Rawlings
Fourth Place
How can I afford?
Diabetes expenses
Taxing me truly.
-Elizabeth Rowley
Fifth Place
Meter, test strip, click.
Lancet needle gives a stick.
Get me sugar quick!
-Isaac Hunter
Honorable mention – Youth division
Oh my pancreas –
How I miss my insulin
Now I need a pump.
-Isabella Clark-Alderman, age 11
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