A Prairie Home Companion from American Public Media: Spring Lyric Contest

Poem: "The Republic of Sun" by Melanie Greenhouse of Noank, CT
(Melanie's Bio)

I pledge allegiance to the crocuses
of the United States of America
and to the Republic of Green Grass
on which I stand, barefoot,
toes wriggling in the dampness where
just moments ago,
worms coupled and doubled themselves.
One nation of friends seated at a table
beneath a blooming tulip tree,
indivisible and radiant in spring's
spotlight,
with liberty and herbal tea; scones
—both blueberry and strawberry—
and Justice, Jude, Janice, Rhonda,
Herta, Sue Ellen, and Edwina.
Such an ensemble would make Justice grin
from sea to shining sea.

About the author:

Melanie Greenhouse lives and writes on the outskirts of Noank, CT, a place that inspired numerous productions of two of her best known plays, Point of Land & The Duchess of Noank. She directed the Arts Café~Mystic for 10 years (1994 – 2004), the popular literary series that continues to host nationally acclaimed poets & writers. Now, she interviews those writers for two local papers, conducts seminars which explore their work, and reads her poetry at various venues. A mix of humor and pathos is present in both her plays and poetry. Her big moment as a poet happened in October, 2006 at the Arts Café~Mystic when she opened for Sharon Olds. The next was being a finalist in the PHC spring poem competition!

Read about all the Spring Lyric finalists...