by David Miller

Loveland, Ohio – We all would love to receive a personal poem of affection on Valentine’s Day, but you all know that it’s sometimes better to give than receive. Right?

Well, here is your opportunity as each year the Loveland Valentine Ladies and the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance invites students, teachers, parents, and the community’s poets to compete in their Annual Valentine’s Day Poetry Contest. This gift can be your present to the whole community of LOVEland.

Poems should be typed or printed, no longer than 16 lines, and reflect love and/or Valentine’s Day. Poetry will be judged on written content only. Contest Deadline: January 21, 2022

Poetry Contest Categories Include:

Pre-school and Kindergarten
1st and 2nd Grades
3rd and 4th Grades
5th and 6th Grades
7th and 8th Grades
9th – 12th Grades
Adults

Contest winners will attend the Chamber Valentine Breakfast at Oasis Conference Center on February 12 to read their poems. Student winners receive an excused absence from school to attend the breakfast.

Entry forms are available on the chamber website – lmrchamberalliance.org under the “get involved” tab.

Poetry Workshops

Valentine Lady, Kathryn Lorenz will be offering two free poetry writing workshops leading up to the submission date.

The first will be on Saturday, January 8 at Hometown Cafe between 9 and 10:30, AM.

The second will be on Saturday, January 10 at Mile 42 Coffee from noon until 2 PM.

Valentine Art and Card Reveal

Beginning at 11 AM on Saturday, January 8 the 2022 Valentine Art and Card Reveal will take place and it will be a chance to meet the designer, current Valentine Lady, Jeannie Shumaker, and past Ladies. Join the fun at the Valentine Ladies Wall of Fame in Historic Downtown on the Loveland Bike Trail.

When Lily Gruffydd was in 5th grade she was recogonized at the 2017 annual Valentine Breakfast for this poem.

WHAT IS LOVE?

by Lily Gruffydd

Every one of you should feel loved,

When you are loved, you might feel light like a dove,

Or maybe you will draw hearts, 

Or even throw cupid darts.

Love is something your family passes, 

From shaking hands to clinging glasses.

If you are not loved,

Find someone to love you back,

Then your life will be on the right track.

Love is also being there for others,

Like your parents, friends, sisters and brothers.

Love is a hug or snuggling tight, 

Or to your Grandma you may write.

That is love and it is right,

I hope you remember these words tonight.