by Amelia Scaggs, 16
She rises from the murky depths
with a crown of salt,
veiled in her shroud of bubbles
and watermist.
A benevolent mother of the sea,
when she emerges for breath
the sun itself
seems to sing with pleasure.
I want to come to the light like this,
from the freezing dark
to the fresh air,
sending a song to clear my path
and break the surface.
I want a new beginning.
Shrewsbury, New Jersey
This piece won SECOND PLACE in our 2026 Voice & Verse Writing Contest, poetry ages 15-18 category.
Judge’s Note: Watching the poem develop from observant watching to active dialogue makes for an interesting narrative that captures the reader’s attention through its vulnerability. I particularly enjoyed the metaphors in the poem.
Bridge Ink 