Read the Winning Poems from Our Elysian Park Poetry Contest!

Mar 10

Written By Erin Sedita

5-10 Age Group

1st Place: Jack Garrison-Kingen

Half Moon and Cielo
Horses from different mothers
Two silly brothers

18+ Age Group

1st Place: Susan Pennington

“Elysian Park Blessings”

Cool, lush, layered green in an urban land: Like the Elysian Fields in the Underworld. A winding path with natural treasures: Like treasures found in shops on the Champs-Élysées. Elysian Park is a sanctuary, a place of blessings from nature, a place of blessings that become indulgence. Blessings – the quiet of birds and slowly dancing leaves; the views of far-off snow-covered mountains; the scent of colorful spring flowers newly born; the energy of walking the verdant path of trees; Blessings – Elysian Park, the bucolic, indulgent green in an urban land.

2nd Place: Jayson Matthews

Where LA’s skyline fades,
the palms and pines cast long and quiet shadows.
And though the stadium hums,
the city's pulse feels soft.
The Chavez winds steep and still,
a refuge carved from time.
Coyotes prowl, wildflowers bloom,
while angels watch from quarry heights.
Here, I find my past in every bend,
a hidden peace where busy streets rest.
In Elysian’s calm, beneath the oaks and blue,
the city stays, but I am someone new.

3rd Place: Chiwenite Onyekwelu

Ode Here, the trees sway in a slow rhythmic dance: Sycamores & pines.
Eucalyptus & oaks.

There's a hummingbird perched on a branch,
singing what I assume is a song about the hills.

The Elysian Hills.

How they overlook the city. How, standing on their back, you can feel the soft throb of the wind. In Crystal Springs, two lovers on picnic share a plate of barbecue,
in Polliwog Pond, submerged, a frog lifts his almond eyes.
As if grateful to be here.

But grateful even more to whoever made it their duty to keep this Park alive.

11-18 Age Group

1st Place: Robert Brainard

Evergreen mountains surrounded by
Lovely flowers as far as the eye can see
Yellow mustard flowers guide the trail of your hike
Squirrels scurry around the trees
In the dark, the coyotes come out to hunt
And scare the hikers passing by at
Night who want to explore their trails
People love to see these lovely mountains
And their beauty and serene nature
Runners will come from far and close by
And kites will be flying to entertain them