2019 Fall Contest, Poet’s Choice: Honorable Mentions and Judge’s Comments

1st Honorable Mention: “Barbizon Nightgowns” by Sandra Rokoff-Lizut, McMinnville, OR

2nd Honorable Mention: “Do Not Be Afraid” by Michael Hanner, Eugene, OR

3rd Honorable Mention: “Death’s Usher” by Jessica Mehta, Hillsboro, OR

Judge’s comments

There were so many great poems in the selection for Poet’s Choice that it made deciding difficult. When reading I was looking for original imagery, things I hadn’t seen or read before. I was also looking for strong personal narratives that were honest and open about a fully lived life, unique voices with unique insights. I believe the poems I chose have those qualities, poems that are candid, lush and real. As only one reader and only one judge for the category, I’d like to apologize for being fickle and prone to liking what I like and gravitating toward poems I ineffably find beautiful. I wish I could have picked them all!

—Carl Adamshick

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