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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)
congratulations, I loved it!
It is rare that I hear people express empathy for someone with hoarding issues. Nice to read something compassionate for a change.
"....for other people's lives," Is that the last line? I couldn't see anything past that.
*Profuse clapping and whistling*
Well done!
This makes hoarding cats sound like an act of mental relief.
Love this poem. Never thought about hoarding from that point of view before. Bravo!
Patricia wrote: ""....for other people's lives," Is that the last line? I couldn't see anything past that."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's a good, touching poem but the comma at the end is annoying if it's GR's fault. Congrats Susan.
Wonderful poem!Congratulations, Susan :)
A great poem shedding light on a subject often hidden in the dark. 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.
I also wondered if there might be more or if it was a punctuation issue. Additionally curious how a winner for June can be selected on the 1st of the month.
I didn't know Goodreads had something like this. This is a beautiful poem Susan, I'm glad you submitted it and shared it with us.
I like it, but I find it very curious that I got to read this today, those lines reminded me of someone I know, made me feel bad for her; made me wish I could help. Nice poem, I agree, “we are all hoarders of something…” we just do not always understand what others choose to keep or throw out as you said.
So hard to write poetry, its very personal. Great.
So beautiful. I really loved it.Also, I didn't know something like this was going on on goodreads. Really need to check it out.
Thank you for a work my kids can ponder on so many levels!
Susan, was your poem shared in its entirety? I enjoyed it.
Blue wrote: "I didn't know Goodreads had something like this. This is a beautiful poem Susan, I'm glad you submitted it and shared it with us."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
Blue wrote: "I didn't know Goodreads had something like this. This is a beautiful poem Susan, I'm glad you submitted it and shared it with us."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 !
Congratulations on winning June Poetry of the Month! It is a nice poem! :)
Enjoyed the fresh take on what's usually a negative subject.
I really liked this poems, congratulation Susan! I've the same question others had, does it end with a comma or is there more to it and it got cropped out?
Patricia wrote: ""....for other people's lives," Is that the last line? I couldn't see anything past that."yes , the comma is on purpose for the reader to add whatever
Jenny wrote: "I also wondered if there might be more or if it was a punctuation issue. 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.
Erin ☕ *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Patricia wrote: ""....for other people's lives," Is that the last line? I couldn't see anything past that."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
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 "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.
lovely poem - congratulations!original and meaningful.
good job.
Katharine
Katharine wrote: "lovely poem - congratulations!original and meaningful.
good job.
Katharine"
Thank you, Katharine
Nimah wrote: "Congrats! Nice poem."thanks!
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.
Congratulations, a very sad and true poem. The death of all is the lust for the material world when what is unseen is so oure and true to our hearts.Tis what we truly seek, but ignore.
A very well crafted piece - and instantly comprehensible. I love it!
Reggie wrote: "Congratulations, a very sad and true poem. The death of all is the lust for the material world when what is unseen is so oure and true to our hearts.Tis what we truly seek, but ignore."
thank you
Susan wrote: "Reggie wrote: "Congratulations, a very sad and true poem. The death of all is the lust for the material world when what is unseen is so oure and true to our hearts.Tis what we truly seek, but ign..."
Susan wrote: "Susan wrote: "Reggie wrote: "Congratulations, a very sad and true poem. The death of all is the lust for the material world when what is unseen is so oure and true to our hearts.Tis what we truly..."
thank you
WOW,,,,, I could REALLY VISUALIZE Tight surroundings of collected things & memories of a lady trapped in today's Yesterday as i read your poem,,,,,, BRAVO because,,,, that is what poetry should do, move you & make you, SEE VISIONS...thnx Glen Rudge.
Congratulations! I liked this poem very much. Thank you.
I never read enough poetry, which is a shame as I find good poetry always moves me.