The National Federation of State Poetry Societies 57th Annual Convention was held in St. Paul, Minnesota June 9 -12. 2016.
Fifty contests were open to competition. Patricia A. Oplinger was thrilled to receive a 4th Honorable Mention in Contest 10: Utah State Poetry Society's Award for my free verse titled "And the Heavens Cried".
As a resident of Arkansas for the past 21 years, I feel drawn to the Cherokee Nation's history. Part of The Trail of Tears runs through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains where I live. My poem reflects the time in history when the Cherokee suffered at the hands of our government.
An excerpt:
"And the Heavens Cried"
Clouds concealed our tribal eyes
rain fell as teardrops
of blood across the land
...and the heavens cried on a trail of tears
