Grand-Prize Winner

Today
Let a kind word be your first word,
the middle and the last.
Let your laughter be the first bright
image that you cast.

Tim Moriarty, Minneapolis, MN

Finalists

In dead of winter
heart of the beast
frozen clouds splinter
wildness released.
Come friend and stranger;
charm away danger;
share in our feast.

Mary A. Pryor, Moorhead, MN

In life's journey,
may the Trees
tell the Wind
to tell the Clouds
to ask the Sun
to shine brightly upon
the Places
you go.

Ting Ting Cheng, St. Paul, MN

May your car always start,
Your roads free of snow,
Your gas tank be full,
And your ramp meter "Go."

Gail Gardner, Waubun, MN

May Love light your way
Through winter darkness.
And may you carry its glowing Candle with you
Into every dark corner of the New Year.

Karen Seay, Edina, MN

To memories faded and futures so bright,
Healings and pains all in one,
Snow newly fallen and stars in the night,
Family, laughter, and fun.

Daniel Dahm, Minneapolis, MN

Let us toast now to music,
For music is the best thing there is.

Let us toast also to our favorite piece of music,
For there is none finer;

Let us toast to our favorite composers as well,
For they are without equal;

Let us not forget the musical instruments of our dreams,
For their lyrics transform us;

And most of all let us toast now to our musical friends,
For the times spent being musical together are truly the best.

Phil Platt, St. Paul, MN

Ten short days extol past, present, future.
Winter Solstace, Hanukkuh, the birth in Bethlehem.
Memories, festivities culminate in a new year,
Celebrate!

Lucy Mack, Shoreview, MN

May your Christmas tree be trimmed with joy and your
hearts filled with love.

May laughter be strung as a garland over your door and
peace be the face at your window.

Greta Bosch, Pipestone, MN

Here's to the Mary-est Christmas,
The Brightest Channukah,
The Most Reverent Ramadan,
You ever saw.

And if that's not E-nough,
A Magical, Winter Soul's T'us.

Leslie Chain, Youngstown, OH

Mistletoe Tap

Brightly shining
Sleds aflying
Gently falling snow

Voices singing
Bells aringing
Children's hearts aglow

Pretty wrapping
Feet atapping
Love that mistletoe!

Michele Frisch, Plymouth, MN

Other Favorites

"A Holiday Toast"

May you live a long and happy life
And be buried in a casket of the finest oak
The seed of which I will plant tomorrow

Roger Acton, Bloomington, MN

Lunar Face smiling down upon a lonely soul,
With distant stars twinkling hamonic lullabies.
A heartbeat pounding, rushing warmth and strength
To a cold, wandering soul, searching for a way to go.

Karen Hosford, Bloomington, MN

As Thanksgiving battle devises
For Playstation 2 and like prizes
Please remember Saint Pete:
Only love makes life sweet
And not giving others black eyses.

Shawn Galdeen, Grandville, MI

Yule All Sing

'Twas the month of Yule
in the land of pine:
Messiah, Nutcracker, Beethoven Nine!
To my wond'ring ear:
Choir…flute…bell,
Warland, McFerrin, and Brunelle.

Michele Frisch, Plymouth, MN

More Humbug

This holiday extemporania
Is starting to drive me insania.
It's Burma-Shave signs
Crossed with nursry rhymes
And enough to bring back disco-mania.

Gerald Barte, Mendota Heights, MN

This holiday season, may the shortage of crude be in our conversation, and not in our oil.

Patrick Quint, St. Paul, MN

Yuletidings

Love all
Bless the small

Pretty Hearts
The New Year Starts

Ugliness disappears
Happiness will persevere

Blessings Shine
To all mankind

Praise the season's yuletide

Susan Amundson, Hastings, MN

Winter Holiday

Cold windchill
Sliding hill
Freezing toes
Runny nose

Lights flashing
Cars smashing
Cartwheels spin
Wallets thin
Gifts and presents
A window of Heaven

Friends together
Gift of love
From above

Hearts cheering
Peace and joy appearing
Good will contributions
New Year resolutions

Chong H. Thao, Lino Lakes, MN

December

Stuffed with turkey
Family, friends
Partying
Running, buying, wrapping
Lighting, singing, decorating
Stress!
Suddenly still
Falling white
Silent night
Holy day
Smile
Say
Merry Christmas!

Mary Siefert, Willmar, MN

Poem

Minnesota, where do we "go-ta"
Get "out-ta" the slush and snow?

But would you surrender
The beauty and splendor
Those who are snowless don't know?

Phoebe Anderson, Eden Prairie, MN

Christmas reminds us to see beyond the ordinary to something quite extraordinary.

Jodi Nelsen, Rochester, MN

Here's to a Christmas that's,
Just like The Grinch,
With hearts full of love,
And shoes that don't pinch!

Kara Paulson, Minnetonka, MN

May your days be filled with laughter
And your nights be filled with bliss
Here's to you my darling,
A sweet goodnight kiss.

Diane Meagher, Isanti, MN

A Benediction

Peace that passes understanding,
Perfect joy that long endures,
Deep content,
Love everlasting,
Faith abiding--
These be yours!

Alfred E. Leja, St. Cloud, MN

May good fortune shine
Its face on you.
May laughter ring
Through your household.
May music clothe your spirit with joyous light.

Susan Cosens, Minneapolis, MN

May the New Year grab you by the shoulders
And shake you loose
To drink deeply of life love and love
And, especially, good cheer.

Barry Cosens, Minneapolis, MN

Truth be told,
It's getting quite cold.
The sky is gray
And all the birds have flown away.

Although is sounds gloomy,
My heart is still roomy
For friendship and fun,
Happy Holidays everyone!

Brad Traynor, Burnsville, MN