Omphalos (or Navel of the World) By Mallory Mahen (1st Place in the September Contest)
Divine Father flares,
Wails purple, flushes gold.
Magma pools at the surface.
On Etna! On Erebus!
Earthly Mother self-immolates.
Justice takes up her own scythe,
Sings superego empires to snuff,
Death marches with Death.A rapping you can’t ignore;
A chanting, a pounding, a pleading;
Fleets of dreams undreamt.
All the ferry boats are full, so cast
The omphalos stone to choke
Out that amorphous ouroboros, that
Insatiable no-face, the sinister
Seeping of white.Twisting memory against mind,
Bombarding Her sacrum.
No mortal can wield Her life-force energy,
Only a fool would believe he can be a king!
And when a new parasympathetic pantheon arises,
The soil will know the executioner.
Her celestial body keeps the score.
Analyzing the Poem: Why Its The Winner
Omphalos (or Navel of the World) stands out as a powerful piece that draws on mythological and psychological imagery to confront humanity’s inherent hubris and our tenuous relationship with the forces of nature. Its brilliance lies in the masterful fusion of classical references—like Etna and Erebus—juxtaposed with modern psychological constructs such as the “superego” and “parasympathetic pantheon.” These layered allusions, combined with visceral language like “Earthly Mother self-immolates” and “Justice takes up her own scythe,” elevate the poem beyond mere observation into a prophetic warning. The poem’s structure, which weaves between rapid-fire images and more deliberate, reflective statements, creates a rhythm that reflects the intensity of a world on the brink of collapse. The repetition of elemental forces like magma and sacrificial flames, alongside motifs of death and rebirth, suggests an inevitable cycle where human actions provoke Earth’s responses, challenging readers to contemplate their own role in this cosmic struggle. What makes this poem a winner is its ability to evoke a sense of urgency and timelessness simultaneously; it reads like a sacred text for our times, calling on us to heed the wisdom of “Her celestial body” before it’s too late. The line “No mortal can wield Her life-force energy, / only a fool would believe he can be a king!” serves as a searing indictment of humanity’s overreach, while the concluding statement—“Her celestial body keeps the score”—reminds us that nature will always have the final word. It’s this deft interplay between the mythic and the modern, the personal and the universal, that sets Omphalos apart as a work of poetic genius, deserving of its place in the spotlight.
How to Join the October Contest Before It’s Over (Don’t Miss Out!)
Are you ready to let your words leave a mark? Time is running out, and the October Poetry Contest is your chance to get your work noticed right now. Imagine being celebrated for your creativity, gaining recognition, and having your poem featured alongside some of the most passionate poets out there.
Why Should You Join?
This contest isn’t just about winning a title—it’s about gaining visibility and elevating your poetic voice. Winners are showcased to an engaged community of readers, with exclusive interview opportunities and a feature spot that will get your poetry in front of the right eyes. If you’ve ever wanted your writing to make an impact, this is it.
How to Enter
Simply click the link below and submit your poem. It’s fast, easy, and a direct path to sharing your talent with the world. But hurry—the deadline is coming up faster than a poet’s next line break. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. You deserve to be heard.
📅 Deadline: October 31st, 11:59 PM
🎁 Prizes: Cash awards, publication, and spotlight features for the top 3 winners.
Act now, because you never know if your poem could be the one to stand out and claim the top spot. Get your pen moving and enter today!
