Voting for the NEHS poetry context finished on February 28th. 560 people voted for their favorite poem on The Quill website, 280 of whom voted for Kylie O’Dell’s poem, making her the winner. 

The Quill asked Kylie about her poem and experience participating in the contest.

How does it feel to have won the MK poetry competition? 

It feels so surreal to have won the MK poetry competition. I’m so happy people liked my poem and were able to relate to it. 

What inspired your poem? 

My poem was inspired by my mom who told me to always love yourself first before you love someone else.

What do you feel is the main message that you want people to take away from your poem?

The main message I want people to take away from my poem is that in order to be able to love someone else you have to be able to love yourself, because you shouldn’t rely on someone else for your happiness and to fulfill the love you don’t have for yourself.

Congratulations to Kylie for getting the most votes and writing such a beautiful poem with a fantastic message that everyone should take to heart.