Poetry Challenge Crowns “Divine Connection” as Champion!

The Renga Poetry Challenge, launched on February 12, 2025, brought poets from around the world together to celebrate love through linked verses. This contest wasn’t just about writing—it was a testament to love’s universal nature, breaking barriers across cultures and proving that love in all its forms transcends labels.

This competition perfectly embodied #LoveAboveTheLabel, a movement that champions love beyond societal expectations—whether romantic, familial, or self-love. Through collaboration, poets from the U.S., the Caribbean, Asia, and beyond crafted verses that connected hearts across continents.

🥇 First Place: “Divine Connection” (007) – Our Champion!

By: Poet-X (Christopher Rainy) from Mississippi and Poetress (Juanita Rogers) from Illinois
Votes: 7 | Average Rating: 5.00 (excluding an outlier 1.00 vote)

"Receive my passion.
You’re mentally undressing, I can read your mind."

"Looking deep into your eyes,
A true divine connection aligned."

"You give me my thirst.
Your body’s like a temple,
Yes, you are my church."

"I accept the invitation,
To be loved, I know my worth."

"She heals all my hurts.
No pain, together love reigns.
She is my Oxygen."

"He is the air that I breathe,
Feeding my mind every time."

"The sun of her tune,
We are lovers of the moon.
Together we access."

"Nothing will break this bonding quest.
We’ve mastered every test."

"I will never box her in,
She blows like the wind.
Her every wish I give."

"Souls tied like the stars above,
Essence of true love begins."

Feedback:

Voters praised this piece for its fluidity, depth, and emotional resonance. One reader remarked, “This poem beautifully reflects the spiritual and physical connection that true love brings. The rhythm and connection of the verses create a powerful sense of intimacy and understanding.” Another commenter said, “The imagery in this Renga is strong and vivid. The way each poet builds upon the other’s thoughts made the poem feel like a true conversation between two souls. I felt the chemistry between the writers.”

🥈 Second Place: “Grounded Together” (005)

By: Aleks Hannibal from Trinidad & Tobago and Linette Rabsatt from the Virgin Islands
Votes: 5 | Average Rating: 5.00

"Whisper of a kiss
Hearts beating in unison
Our restless passion"

"Nostalgia for things unseen
For futures yet untasted"

"Our touch sings out loud
The quiet of the night ends
With a symphony"

"Embracing nature’s moments
Its roots and seas anchor us"

"How do we find this
Lovely morsel of treasure
Buried deep in time"

"That heartfelt feeling of love
Keeps us grounded – together"

Feedback:

This piece was celebrated for its sense of tranquility and grounded connection. One voter said, “The imagery in this Renga beautifully evokes the feeling of being rooted together—there’s a calmness that runs through the verses. It feels like the perfect balance between intimacy and nature.” Another added, “The simplicity in the verses here is powerful. There’s something timeless about this poem, almost as if love is an ancient force that binds us all.”

🥉 Third Place: “The Spark of New Love” (025)

By: Joscephine Gomez from Malolos City, Philippines and Kumar Malay from India
Votes: 3

"Exciting as chai and mocha-flavoured golfi
Such is love’s prospect."

"Bitter taste of adverse time
Turns honey under love’s shade."

"Strong palpitation
As you come near, my new beau,
I lose control of."

"L’amour jolts a sleeping heart,
Then every neuron dances."

"I wish I could mask
The stubborn blush on my cheeks,
Sparkle in my eyes."

"But my love-smitten heart sighs,
And whispers my beloved’s name."

"I guess we can’t hide,
The strong love we feel inside,
Such is our new love."

"Flowers bloom in the garden,
Fragrance reaches far and wide."

Feedback:

Readers were drawn to the fresh energy of this piece. One voter shared, “This poem is full of hope and excitement—it perfectly captures the giddy feeling of new love. The metaphors were so creative and playful, it made me smile.” Another noted, “I loved the use of sensory details here. The ‘chai and mocha-flavoured golfi’ immediately transported me to a world where love is sweet and exciting.”

🎖️ Honorable Mention: “Our Love Echoed” (010)

By: Gregory Diaz from Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago and Alicia Lawrence from Trinidad & Tobago

"We are called to Love
Fourteenth of February
Wine, Roses and Song"

"Days of hope; Nights of pleasure
An emotional treasure"

"Love is seductive
Always tantalizing me
Embracing my charms"

"Keeping me awake at nights
As its caresses take flight"

"Awake in my dreams
Giving you the best of me
Total loyalty"

"And then morning comes too soon
And reality wakes me"

"Valentine’s Day’s gone
Let’s hope the Love continues
Beyond the Fourteenth"

"One day can’t hold all my Love
Thousand years won’t be enough"

"Love goes beyond years
Forever’s the chosen word
In Love every day"

"Falling in Love all day long
Blissfully embraced by you"

"Love’s power can heal
Mend broken relationships
And grace over wrongs"

"In those times we are at odds
Love will still communicate"

"A full testament
Fraught with sincere acts and words
Love’s mansion we build"

"Love is unconditional
Keeping the foundation strong"

"A Love filled with trust
Solid and firm as a rock
Armor for the heart"

"Protecting your Lover’s life
With a never-ending Love"

Feedback:

This Renga was appreciated for its deep sense of devotion and commitment. A voter commented, “I loved how this poem showed the lasting and unconditional nature of love. The verses had a timeless quality that reminded me of vows and promises shared over a lifetime.” Another said, “The themes of loyalty and endurance came through strongly. It feels like a love letter written not just for today, but for all time.”

🌍 A Global Celebration of Love

With poets from the U.S., the Caribbean, India, and the Philippines, this contest showcased love’s universal voice.

📝 Copyright Protection

All submissions are protected under copyright.

Participant Feedback

March 3, 2025:
“I loved this challenge and I certainly would participate in another!”

March 4, 2025:
“I truly appreciate this challenge. I had never heard of the Renga form of Poetry before. I knew of the Haiku and having to combine it with a Couplet gave an overall added flavor. Yes, I will participate in another Renga competition or any other writing competition that you host. Sorry, I’m not seeing any aspect that can help make it better. For me, it was all good. Thanks mucho.”

Comments on Entries:

“One can feel the progress and expansion of being directed to Love only on one day to growing a Love that lasts a thousand years. The flow of the Couplet responding to the essence of the Haiku is kept throughout, and the growth and development of the theme is clearly felt.”

“The Theme of reflecting on past Love is good, but a few words saying why the Love ended up becoming past tense and what intentions for the future would have enhanced it.”

“The Couplet did not seem to flow from the Haiku. It feels like it did not keep to the theme, and the Couplets did not flow from the essence of the previous Haiku.”

“The flow is good, and the Couplet kept to the Haiku. But it seems to lack a bit of that ‘Joy of Life’ that creates a lasting connection.”

Thank you to all participants for their creativity and passion!

Renga Poetry Contest 2025

Alejx Hannibal:
Website: Alekx Hannibal
Facebook: Aleks Hannibal
Instagram: Aleks Hannibal

Linette Rabsatt:
Website: Words of Ribbon
Facebook: Linette Inspire VI
Instagram: Larabsatt

Joscephine Gomez:
Facebook: Joscephine Gomez (No link provided)

Kumar Malay:
Facebook: Kumar Malay (No link provided)

Gregory Diaz:
Facebook: Gregory Diaz (No link provided)

Alicia Lawrence:
Linktree: Suppled Linktree
Instagram: Supple Diamond