Surprising Results From a Writing Contest

I smiled gently as I read the title of an email. Not what I expected see that Thursday morning. But, it sure made my day.

I wouldn't consider myself a poet. I'm passionate about writing on topics of chronic pain, disability, faith, dance, and will sometimes dive into fictional stories that are stiring in my mind. Poems? I often feel stuck even when attempting to write one. Though I have been more in this past year.

Writing poetry feels almost like learning a foreign langauge. And I've always struggled to learn other languages, except for American Sign Language as it's visual and doesn't inolve talking. When writing poems takes practice and skill and a clear thought process to able to know what words to put on the page. I sometimes try to write it all in one setting or I stare at my paper or laptop not knowing where to start. All while comparsion and discouragement just flood my mind.

Poems are beautiful, elegant, and touch on emotions. But, I'm learning it's okay that it doesn't always flow together well. I'm learning to pace myself when writing. Sometimes the thoughts come so quickly that my hands are not able to keep up. While other moments, I need to take a break for a day or two before starting where I left of.

In March, I shared a poem at a local event for poetry and other forms of art. I was planning to dance a solo, but I didn't feel well physically and decided to share a piece of writing. That was the first time I shared a poem so openly. A month later, I wrote another one titled, Dancing with Heart.

This poem focuses on dance and the perspective of a girl who doesn't feel she fits in. She feels like her peers are dancing with more grace and strength. Though she puts in all of this effort, the girl is always one step behind and struggles to stay on beat. Physical limitations are an obstacle she has to push through.

I'm sure you might be thinking this girl is me, but it doesn't have to be. It could be you or someone else you know who is struggling. Maybe you are not a dancer, but you often fall into the trap of comparison.

In the spring, I wrote this poem for a creative writing and art contest and submitted it to an online platform called POTSAbility, where they bring awareness and education for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (otherwise known as POTS). While I don’t have POTS, anyone living with a chronic illness who are artists, writers, or speakers, were encouraged to enter.

This month, I was suprised when recieving an email that my entry placed second for the poetry segment.

This wasn't something I was striving for, but something I feel honored to have recieved. There's no prize. No award that comes in the mail.

I didn't enter for anything to come in return. I submitted a piece of writing only to encourage whomever may read it. For that person to see that despite challenges due to pain, there's still hope.

Most importantly, my desire is that God gets all of the glory. He is the reason that I’m sharing my writing. Some consider it a gift. I just see it as something I’m passionate about and the Lord is using to reach others.

You can read my poem on their website: POTSAbility-2026 Winners

Also, check out the other wonderful submissions that were also placed in the segments for writing and art.