Writing Competition 2nd Place: Deniz Hakman

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the Quad 2 Writing Competition in which participants were asked to write a nature-themed piece.

1st place: Harris Watkins – The Clockwork Heart

2nd place: Deniz Hakman – Hidrellez

3rd place: Freya Peers – Buttercup

We now present: Hidrellez by Deniz Hakman.

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Hidrellez*

3 ribbons adorn the branches of the olive tree,

on our yard every may.

“it’s the beginning of spring”

my mother used to say.

i don’t believe in folk tales, but still

i would wish,

on the night of May 6th.

i can’t recall,

if my wishes came true at all.

the ribbons stay year round,

until the next beginning of spring when

we wish again.

3 ribbons adorn the branches of the olive tree then.

though i still can’t recall

if my wishes ever came true at all,

it seems unlikely,

as olive is not the right tree,

to be wishing

on May 6th,

the beginning of spring.

* Hıdırellez or Hıdrellez is celebrated as the day on which the Prophets Hızır and Ilyas met on Earth. Hıdırellez starts on May 5 night and falls on May 6 in the Gregorian calendar and April 23 in the Julian calendar. It is celebrated in Turkey. It celebrates the arrival of spring.