Biting the bullet

So, I did it.
Today, I entered a writing contest.
The last time I did that, I was in high school.
The topic was "some aspect of life in Southwest New Mexico."
(Note: New Mexico's motto is "The Land of Enchantment").

Here is my entry:

MY HOME

It’s not the residence,

Or the physical trappings surrounding me,

It’s deeper,

More complete.

It’s found in sincere smiles,

In warm embraces,

In simple sincerity,

In open hearts.

It’s in star-studded skies above,

In juniper and pine after the rain.

In summer monsoons and

In winter snow.

This feeling,

the feeling that this is home,

permeates everything.

Growing,

Shifting,

Strengthening.

Southwestern New Mexico.

The home of my heart.

Truly, unequivocally,

The land of enchantment.