June's Poetry Contest Winner: The Hoarder

Every month, Goodreads and the ¡POETRY! group host a poetry contest. It's a great way to discover and support the work of emerging poets. Join the ¡POETRY! group where you can vote to select the winning poem each month from among the finalists. Aspiring poets can also submit a poem for consideration.
Congratulations to Susan J. Raineri, who is our June winner with this poem:
The Hoarder
by Susan J. Raineri
People let her down,
time after time.
In the empty bed,
where people left spaces,
things piled up.
Her life became choked
and crowded with stuff
that stayed put.
Rooms filled to their brims
up to the ceiling.
Until, she could barely
walk amongst it all;
more things, more and
more things.
At least, she could
count on these things.
They sat there
and collected dust,
but, they never left her.
She could choose
what to keep
and what to throw out.
Mostly, she kept.
We are all hoarders
of something;
holding on to memories,
collecting love and hate,
saving up envy
for other people's lives,
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People let her down,
time after time.
In the empty bed,
where people left spaces,
things piled up.
Her life became choked
and crowded with stuff
that stayed put.
Rooms filled to their brims
up to the ceiling.
Until, she could barely
walk amongst it all;
more things, more and
more things.
At least, she could
count on these things.
They sat there
and collected dust,
but, they never left her.
She could choose
what to keep
and what to throw out.
Mostly, she kept.
We are all hoarders
of something;
holding on to memories,
collecting love and hate,
saving up envy
for other people's lives,
Read More Poetry
Check out more recent blogs:
23 Hottest Books of Summer
32 Audiobooks for your Summer Vacation
Bustle & PopSugar Editors Pick Beach Reads
Comments Showing 1-50 of 83 (83 new)


I know, I'm not sure if it cut off or we were supposed to follow a link. I tried the link but it was everyone's poems. With it ending like a comma, it seems like it was continuing.

It really puts a spin on why hoarders keep things.
It may be "just stuff" to us, but it means the world to someone that is suffering.

Additionally curious how a winner for June can be selected on the 1st of the month.


So hard to write poetry, its very personal. Great.

Also, I didn't know something like this was going on on goodreads. Really need to check it out.

Dear Patricia,
Goodreads supports poetry! We run a monthly contest in the ¡POETRY! group that the members of the group vote on here - https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Best,
Amy King
¡ POETRY ! Moderator

Dear Blue,
Goodreads supports poetry! We run a monthly contest in the ¡POETRY! group that the members of the group vote on here - https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Best,
Amy King
¡ POETRY !

I've the same question others had, does it end with a comma or is there more to it and it got cropped out?

yes , the comma is on purpose for the reader to add whatever

Additionally curious how a winner for June can be selected on the 1st of the month."
You submit in May to win in June
The comma was on purpose for the reader to add whatever comes to mind.

I know, I'm not sure if it cut off or we were supposed to follow a link. I tried the lin..."
Comma on purpose to add what you think

I wrote this after watching the television program "Hoarders". At first I was disgusted and wondered how anyone could live like that. Well, most hoarders have suffered a trauma and/or a big loss in their lives. They are trying to fill a void, left by the loss. I was very touched by the program. Happily, they can be helped, although, some revert to their previous way of living.
Punctuation note; Yes, the comma is on purpose for the reader to add whatever they think.

original and meaningful.
good job.
Katharine"
Thank you, Katharine
Susan wrote: "Thanks for all of your positive comments. It really means a lot to me! I have been submitting for about 3 years and it was such an honor to win!
I wrote this after watching the television program..."
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how you came to write this poem and congratulations on your win.
I wrote this after watching the television program..."
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how you came to write this poem and congratulations on your win.

Tis what we truly seek, but ignore.

Tis what we truly seek, but ignore."
thank you

Tis what we truly seek, but ign..."

Tis what we truly..."
thank you

I never read enough poetry, which is a shame as I find good poetry always moves me.