April 14, 2010 > Milpitas teen wins national poetry contest Milpitas teen wins national poetry contest Submitted By Don Phillips Sarah Wool of Milpitas is the 2009 winner of a national poetry contest for her poem "Deliriously Happy." Sarah is one of five poets selected for recognition by the magazine Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA). Sarah is the first Santa Clara County resident to be chosen for this honor, and she is the only winner this year from the state of California. Sarah's family are long-time residents of Milpitas; Sandy Wool Lake in Ed Levin Park is named in honor of one of her relatives. The Milpitas Library is accepting poems from teens through the end of April for the 2010 poetry contest. The top poets will receive a $25 cash prize and will be published on the Santa Clara County website and in a collection of poetry along with the other local winners. Winning poems will also be submitted to the national contest which is sponsored by VOYA magazine. The Milpitas Library contest is funded by the Friends of the Milpitas Library. Sarah's winning poem follows: Deliriously Happy I want to be happy Like running through three foot tall grass with your dog and best friend and laughing when you fall down, while green streaks bloom on your knees. Like searching for an hour to discover a small handful of green mermaid tears, under millions of sandy grains. Like the exhilaration of coming inside with wind burned cheeks, sore smile muscles, and hands with kite string burns. Like accidentally finding smiles and hearts drawn on shower steamed stained mirrors and knowing why you put them there. Like formulating philosophical life comparisons on long car rides over highway 17: fast, bumpy, with lots of turns, but accomplished once you reach the other side. Like realizing how much you are loved; And having someone tell you "You are amazing" and actually believing them. Like that kind of happy: Cheerful, blissful, ecstatic happy Sparkling, delighted, blithe happy Elated, thrilled, euphoric happy Deliriously happy. For more information, visit the Santa Clara County Library website at www.santaclaracountylib.org/teen/poetry_contest/index.html