by Maureen Forsythe, BCA Youth Director
In November 2023, the BCA invited local youth aged nine to 17 to write an original poem in English or French that captures how they are inspired by the winter season. We received a total of 13 submissions: eight by local youth aged 9-12 and five by those aged 13-17. Congratulations to all of the young people who participated in the contest!
We are delighted to announce that the first place winner in the 9-12 age category is Chloe Saba Leblanc for her poem “My Cold-Inspired Creation”. Chloe, who is nine years old and attends Glen Ogilvie Public School, will receive a top cash prize of $100. In her poem Chloe celebrates how winter inspires her to create “a little winter tune”, “paper birds of every color” and a painting of a frozen sky. We also recognize the following winning poems in this age category: “Snowfall’s Gratitude on a Winter’s Walk” by Audrey Lovric and “Snowy Guardian” by Navid Rowhani. Audrey and Navid will each collect a $50 cash prize.
For the 13-17 age category we are happy to announce that the first place winner is Cassandra Sunohara for her poem “Winter”. Cassandra is 17 years old and attends Norman Johnston Secondary Alternate Program; she will collect a top cash prize of $100. We also recognize the following winning poems in this age category: “Winter Rebirth” by Henry MacWha and “Winters Feeling, I am Frozen Within Warmth” by Ali MacWha. Henry and Ali will each collect a $50 cash prize.
Special thanks to Miriam Hampson, a BCA board member who lives in Blackburn Hamlet, for reviewing the submissions.
My Cold-Inspired Creation
by Chloe Saba Leblanc
The howling wind, the falling snow, my icy breath,
All one great, urgent sound,
Directing me to
Create!
I think about my grand piano,
And the frosty sounds it can make,
Though it may be hard to play,
What if I imagine?
I place my fingers on the keys,
And play a little winter tune.
It sounds like Snowflake Dance,
My cold-inspired creation.
Making my way to Mer Bleue,
I feed a tiny feathered friend.
It whispers encouragingly in my ear,
“Create!”
I decide to make origami,
My favorite thing to do,
Paper birds of every color,
I craft one, then two, and another!
I construct a colorful mobile,
Looking down at me from my snowy ceiling,
Suspended, it is a Hanging Flock,
My cold-inspired creation.
I gaze outside my window
And all I see is white, white, white.
“Create!”
Declares this delightful winter night.
I take hold of my unmarked canvas,
And paint excitedly,
My brush strokes the frozen sky,
It looks quite good, I can’t deny.
I finish my painting with a proud grin,
Showcasing it on my bedroom wall.
I entitle it Winter Night,
My cold-inspired creation.
My cold-inspired creations,
All beautiful in different ways.
The winter season,
Inspires me to Create!
Snowfall’s Gratitude on a Winter’s Walk
by Audrey Lovric
The winter seasons come and go
And with that comes the snow
The snow so piled high
You can almost touch the sky
The cars fly by, headlights gleaming
As I trudge along on this frosty evening
I climb the cold, slippery, snow hills
Giving me icy chills
Walking through the winter wonderland
Stopping to stand,
To watch, to observe
Trying to calm my nerves
When I get to the top of the mounds,
I look around
The icy snow is falling fast
And the chilling wind, flying past
But for a second in the storm
All is calm, all is warm
Time seems to slow
And I don’t slip on the icy hill below,
The snow doesn’t seem quite as cold
The wind, warmer, more controlled
As I turn to go
The streetlights lead me with their glow
The snowy trees sway
And the wind carries me on my way
The wonderful warmth that my jacket provides
Is comparable to a caribou hide
I realize I’ve learned to be grateful for everything
For warmth, food and all the littlest things
So in the end the winter seasons will always come and go
And with that will always come the snow
But that’s one of the things that I’m thankful for
Since now I’ve learned to be thankful once more
Snowy Guardian
by Navid Rowhani
In the cold freezing winter there’s an intrepid animal
When it’s starved it finds its prey very valuable.
Coated head to toe in his very downy fur
When its icy this carnivore refuses to shiver!
The Snowy Guardian, Arctic Fox adaptable and resilient
Some may even call this animal extremely brilliant!
Catching his prey, better be nimble
Be very careful don’t walk bimble!
By the fireplace all the kids opening their presents
And all the parents are celebrating this jolly event,
But the Arctic Fox outside in the cold
A model for humans, really bold!
With all the wind and snow he still acts serene,
Even with the harsh conditions outside he stays keen,
This animal is an example for humans and earth,
Just like this Arctic Fox we should adapt and re-birth!
All the problems in the world: climate change, poverty and war
These aren’t challenges that the world has asked for
Instead, these are challenges that the world has caused
These problems are hard to solve but can still be paused!
The Snowy Guardian, Arctic Fox majestic and pale
Always have to suffer in that really sharp, thick hail
When the snow storm comes in he finds shelter
Like him, all the humans should strive to become better
Winter
by Cassandra Sunohara
Winter’s cold embrace envelops me.
The wind is a chorus of whispers in my ears.
I hear it calling to me.
It urges me to let go –
To be free.
The susurrations engulf me.
I surrender to their pleas.
The cold eases the sadness within me –
Settled like damp within my bones.
Snowflakes stain my cheeks like tears.
They stroke my face and caress my hair.
I find peace in the stillness,
Beauty in the calm.
Warmth seeps through me.
There is a sudden shift in the air.
The wind swirls snowflakes together.
A flurry of motion fills my vision.
The glistening snow is near blinding.
In the squall I catch fervent murmurs.
Each woosh promises excitement.
The whirl comes to a sudden stop.
The silence is near deafening.
The wind rushes towards me swiftly enfolding me in its arms.
Snowflakes from the banks are jostled awake.
They float gracefully to join the others.
The wind ushers in a symphony,
A slow tempo begins.
The snowflakes anxiously flit about.
They each find a partner.
The wind is impatient.
Its cadence swells, crescendos.
I hold my breath in anticipation.
The snowflakes begin their dance.
The snowy landscape is transformed,
An iridescent ballroom before me.
The snowflakes swirl together –
They spin and flutter and dazzle the stage.
A maelstrom of glitter as they twinkle.
The wind sweeps me into the dance,
And all my worries dissipate.
Winter Rebirth
by Henry MacWha
In winter’s grasp, where snowflakes dance,
I find solace, in the beauty enhanced,
Of winter’s embrace, a silent trance,
Spring will come, a silent advance.
Beneath the blanket of glistening white,
A darkness whispers through the night
For in this season, I find the truth,
my spirit blossoms, inspires forsooth
As snowflakes fall, unique and free,
I see reflections of who I long to be.
Winter’s chill cannot quench a name.
For seasons come, they reignite one’s flame.
In winter’s silence, I find one’s song,
A melody where I truly do belong.
For in the chill and quiet, a hush,
I’m inspired, a season’s gentle touch
Snow covered trees, they stand high,
Beautiful white, snow all applied.
Over the hills, the moon shines bright,
The moonshine glows, white and light.
Beneath the snow, shadows dance,
A song of silence, a wintry trance.
Footprints on a path, a fleeting trace,
In winter’s grasp, time finds its pace.
As the frosty air weaves tales untold,
I find warm memories, precious untold.
The crunch of snow beneath my feet,
The rebirth of life, a simple treat
In winter’s tableau, where dreams take flight,
I marvel at the stars, shining bright.
A celestial shine, a cosmic play,
In the quiet, a soul finds its way.
Winters Feeling, I am Frozen Within Warmth
by Ali MacWha
Where has my ingenuity been lost
In exchange for the last liveliness of my skin
Never running lights, have no cost
To tightly highlight the coldness within
Everest, evermore endeavouring to
Reliably be the tallest insecurities
Sparkling trees block my view
Favouring front-facing impurities
Early morning, frostbit songs
Echo lightly with cold aspirations
Lost in the snow-covered tree it longs
Icicles and I face many limitations
Nevertheless, sights excite my eyes
Growing passions beam as the shinning stars rise
I hope to stay
Amidst the hopeless happiness, however
Minds and seasons repeat on loop
Frosty Jack, plays indecently with my heart
Reaching hazardously for –
One last snowflake. To share shivers of inspiration.
Zip, zig, zag, trip
Everyone falls at first on the ice
Never eager to accept advice
Winter solstice
Is something I look forward to. In its length,
Thoughts never have time to fester
Holding desperately to a melting hand
In the mess of mud, and fading memories
No one told me it wasn’t a documentary
When the deadly ice falls and wind whistles
Against your frozen-glass skin, you run
Rushing home to the smell of ginger
Magic. Is said to be felt not seen
Tearfully peaceful by winter’s silent noise
Happy. To see the little joys