Carol Bruins from West Bay Residential Services has won an honorable mention for her poem titled “Paintings” in VSA Arts Rhode Island Poetry Program. VSA stands for vision, strength and access. It’s a program that helps both children and adults get involved in the arts.

Carol Bruins, 38, enters the poetry contest every year and often attends the arts and crafts class on Fridays. Her case manager, Adam Keenan, describes her as “reserved and shy if she doesn’t know you but she is a kind and caring person who opens right up once she gets to know you.”

Bruins and five other clients who entered the VSA contest were encouraged in a group-style workshop about writing and creativity hosted by West Bay.

Her winning poem is:

“Paintings”

Flowers colors paint on brushes

Fresh paint, regular paint

Laughter talking swishing brushes

Nasty sour taste

Wet rough crumply paper

Each poet was given the chance to read their poem during a ceremony and reception that was held in recognition of the participants May 20 at the VSA office in Pawtucket.