Monte John’s reign as the Welsh Festival Bard of 2022 came to an end on Saturday, as Blaine Scott was named the new Bard for 2023.  Ned Thomas was named the winner of Patsy Price Scott Poetry Prize.  Bob Crowther also turned his title of “Fiction Writer” of the year to Mike Brignone for his story “Grandma’s Garden.”

After a welcoming song from the Malad Valley Men’s Welsh Chorus, last year’s Fiction winner Bob Crowther introduced this year’s winner, Mike Brignone.  Brignone’s story involved an elderly woman named Glynnis ruminating on her life, and thinking back over the years that had brought her to where she found herself.  In the past, she and her husband had built a secret garden where they used to spend time together.  No one in the family knew of the special piece of paradise until she offered it to her grandson, who she sensed was about to propose to his girlfriend.  After celebrating the engagement with the family that night, Glynnis woke up early and was drawn to the secret garden, where she took a seat next to her husband, who had passed many years earlier.  The family discovered her, and the garden, later in the day, with a peaceful smile beneath her permanently closed eyes.

To end his year, Monte John once again read his winning poem from last year, and took his seat in the bard’s chair for the last time.  Dotty Evanson explained the history of the chair, and the Welsh tradition of the Eisteddfod where poetry and music are celebrated throughout the community. 

As the previous bards (Monte John, Cory Webster, Dotty Evanson, and Jan Crowther) sat in attendance, each of those in the running for 2023 bard read their poetry selections.  After the readings were complete, the names of the Honorable mentions (Dotty Evanson and James Christiansen) were announced, as well as the Patsy Price Scott Poetry Prize (Ned Thomas) winner.  Afterwards, the pseudonym of the bard was called out three times in the traditional manner.  On the third call, Blaine Scott stood to be recognized as the new bard.  After being escorted to the chair, he was seated and crowned by the knight of the festival.  The winning poems and honorable mentions are printed below: 

Welsh Festival Bard 2023 

“Wales—Land of Kindness” Blaine Scott

In the rolling green hills, that seemed to not end

Were families: Jones, Davies, Roderick, and Reese.

There were among the best you will ever befriend,

Along with the Williams, Hodge, Price, Morse, and Preece.

These were some of my ancestors coming from Wales,

A country on the Celtic Sea

I’m learning their stories and capturing the details

From the Great Orme Mines to Swansea.

They worked in the coal mines to earn their keep.

They started to work when they were still young.

The mines where they worked were cold and deep.

The coal dust would seep into their lungs.

They were known as colliers; in the mines they would go.

Their wages were meager at best.

When they would get hurt or their lamp oil was low,

They would finally get to go home and rest.

I enjoy the food that my ancestors would eat:

Leeks, bara, Welsh cakes and sausage

The stew was lamb cawl, which was made with lamb meat

Because with sheep there was never a shortage

No matter the work or the shortage of food

There was always a smile on their face

As they sang the songs that helped them feel good

To a Welshman hard work was not a disgrace.

The land of my fathers is loaded with castles

And the symbol of Wales is a dragon

I often wonder with all the hassles

Why they would trade all they had for a wagon

They suffered a lot on the trail coming West

Some even contracted malaria

But their trail would end in one of the best

In a community known as Samaria.

My mom taught me to search out my history

And to share the things that I find.

She didn’t want the past to remain a mystery

So, I’m trying to do what I was assigned.

I’m grateful for the examples set by my ancestors.

They would share whatever you need.

To them we were all considered Brothers and Sisters.

Wales was a land of kindness indeed!

Patsy Price Scott Poetry Prize

“Kindness is a Precious Gift” Ned Thomas

Kindness is a precious gift,

Simple deeds that bless and lift.

A helping hand, a listening ear,

A friendly visit, bringing cheer.

Kindness is a warm embrace,

Gentle hands that serve with grace.

A healing touch, a heartfelt smile,

A pleasant chat that lasts awhile.

Kindness is a soothing balm,

Relieving pain, restoring calm.

A second chance, a hopeful cure,

A gift of love that long endures.

Kindness is a beacon bright,

Dispelling darkness with its light.

Beams of mercy, tinged with gold,

Uplifting others, young and old.

May lovingkindness fill our days,

Refill our cups, our debts repay.

Supply our needs, relieve our stress,

A kindred gift, the world to bless.

Honorable mention

“An Ode to the GOAT!!” Dotty Evanson

When it comes to living the way varies for each,

Big city, small town, the mountains, the beach.

Small town America calls to many,

With spaces so wide and good neighbors a plenty.

Unless, of course you cross the fence.

Then watch your step, I can’t stand the suspense!

Widow Jones had planted the pear trees with care.

They were fragile and small and were growing so fair.

Then one morning she gazed out the window to see,

Five goats happily grazing on each little tree!

They weren’t just tasting the leaves so sweet,

They bent trees to the ground and were having a feast!

Widow J let a scream emerge from her lips,

Out the back she went with hands on her hips.

She scared those old goats back over the fence,

And wondered how they could make recompense!

She marched next door with goats on her mind,

And met Mr. Evans who was always so kind.

He didn’t defend those old goats for a minute,

He grabbed up his hammer and started to fix it.

He made the fence taller, so no one could clear it,

He straightened the trees in a neighborly spirit.

He told Widow J he admired her so much,

And she really should come on over for lunch.

Divisions will happen, but friendship comes first.

Helping each other when life’s at its worst.

People are blessings, they know how to give,

Supporting each other helps all to live.

Well, the trees survived and the goats stayed away,

Life went on fine until harvesting day.

The pears were so large and especially sweet,

Widow J did some baking and took Mr. Evans a treat.

The pear strudel was luscious, the crust flakey too.

They both were so happy, and they knew just what to do.

They took down the fence and sold off the goats,

They got married in the church and raised a toast…

To working out troubles and thinking it through,

So, life is pleasant, it’s the right thing to do!

Honorable Mention

“A Call from the Woods” James Christiansen

A forlorn call from the woods

at night out near the creek it

seems; I stirred from sleep

and plodded by dim candlelight,

Ears straining for the lonely sound

so cold and far from me, my life;

but I listened from some sense of

what, who would be around this

Hour of night when

all the woods are deep in sullen

dark—perhaps the why it sounded chill,

the cry I heard from out

Beyond.  I stood at my window,

house all dark except one glow,

this candle in my hand I held aloft

so outside could see its flame,a flicker

Far away—maybe, at least from the woods,

it would be nothing but a brighter star—

but still, a light!  Perhaps a crier

of lonely sounds at night might

Take attraction, courage, as a light far away

grows larger coming nearer—

I left the candle burning there

and went back to bed; the crying

Ceased some time ago when first

I’d held the candle high.

Soon it will be morning, I said—

and the crier in the night

I think will know it, too.