Symphony of a State
Allison Radcliffe, an 8th grade Pre-APEnglish student in Chandler Jr. High School, won first place in the 5th -8th grade division of the Wonder City Wordfest 2023 Oklahoma Poem Contest.
There were 553 entries. On April 15,Allison traveled to the Rural Oklahoma Museum of Poetry in Locust Grove, where she read her poem to the audience and received her prize.
Her poem, Symphony of a State, is printed to the right.
My homeland, my symphony of a state.
Mother Nature the composer, Her weather the conductor, All working together, for there is music to create! We start with the breeze, Creating a soothing sound against the trees. I listen as a beat is being formed. Watch as the land is transformed. Then cue the birds, singing to the sun. The woodpecker tapping out the rhythm, All encouraging more to join with them. Such a joyous sound, but we have just begun. Now the clouds roll over, no more sun can I see, But I hear a slow, weak beat, almost leisurely. With every tiny tap, the beat grows more urgent, Until the slow, weak beat becomes a non-stop current.
Enter the thunder, no more than tranquil rumbles, As they crescendo into ground shaking growls. Night descends, the unseen stars forced to be humble.
Out in the distance, I hear the hoot of an owl. The gray wall floats away as I watch the sun rise. The sweet, controlled outcome of the chaos last night.
I again hear the birds singing joyously mid flight, The breeze gently rustling the trees before my eyes.
A symphony isn’t just about the sound, but the sight, Seeing all of the parts work together, as one. The moon and stars both shining so bright, The trees swaying in unison beneath the brightening sun.
My symphony of a state, beauty, chaos, wondrous resolve, Mother Nature and her weather creating music for all. by Allison Radcliffe