Poetry lovers the world over could not have asked for more. In this era, which has brought the world to one’s fingertips, there are websites dedicated to poetry on which known and unknown poets can post their work in poetic form and seek recognition.

Such sites also offer help with poetic techniques as well as with wordings and rhyming. The accomplished writers can even publish their own books. One such site is www.poetry.com of the US-based International Library of Poetry (ILP). It offers necessary training and assistance and even has a poetry laureate course for aspirants. It describes itself as a "free online poetry bash." Open the site and you’ll find that it already features 3.1 million poets. You can read poets of your choice by giving their last and first names in the "search" box. If you have an audio facility, you can even listen to readings.

Like many others, a Jeddah schoolgirl has been hooked on this site for quite some time. Zara Mohsin, a Class 10 student at the International Indian School-Jeddah, has been writing poetry for the last two years. She has found the site educational, informative, entertaining and of course an ideal training ground. She has not only posted her poems on the site, but won recognition and even an award for one of them. She has received an "Editor’s Choice Award" from the online website for her poem "When You Came Into My Life."

She entered an online contest and was surprised to have been chosen for the award. Aside from winning, she has been invited to present her poetry for the international poet of merit award at poetry.com and the International Society of Poets’ Spring Convention and Symposium from March 1-3 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

In a communication sent to her, ILP says her poem is featured on the Internet at www.poetry.com and in ILP’s deluxe hardbound anthology entitled "Holding On to Forever." ILP says Zara’s poem was selected for publication because of its unique perspective and artistic vision. "We believe it will add to the importance and appeal of this edition," a spokesperson said.

When You Came into My Life

Day and night

I think of the day

We first saw each other

And you smiled my way

That smile changed my life

Because it contained that sincerity

Which I was searching from other people

That were not even in my city

But I removed the thought

By thinking that you won’t ever be mine

And I already have a person in my life

But he never showed me the love sign

Although I loved him like crazy

There was something in you

That although we never spoke

But I found something that was true

I thank God for the day I met you

And I never want you to go away

Because since you came into my life

Happiness is always on my way.

Zara is thrilled. "I’m delighted to receive the award. I’ve been writing poems for the past two years but this is the first time I have entered a contest." Asked how she began writing poetry, she answered: "My mom who is herself an accomplished academic and writer, inspired me to write. My poetry is centered around nature, peace, friendship and love."

At school, she said, her friends and teachers were happy and excited about her winning. "This has encouraged me to continue to write," she adds. And now she has a second poem on the website which is called, "But Why Did You Ever Love Me So Much?"