Contests

Spring 2021 Adult Poetry Contest Winners in the Members Only Category (Judge: Colette Tennant) First Place: “From the Journals of Rumpelstiltskin” by Linda Ferguson I gave myself the name. So many syllables – delicious – like chocolate and almonds or the wrinkles of dried cherries and shards of coconut all tumbling between tongue and teeth. […]

Spring 2021 Adult Poetry Contest Winners of the Poet’s Choice Category (Judge – John Morrison) First Place: “Everyone Worries Schrodinger’s Cat is Dead or Alive, Yet No One Stops to Ask Its Name” by Brady Pearson You can measure the speed of light with a microwave and a chocolate bar though if the time we

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you most sincerely to every poet who sent entries to support our contest. We appreciate your support! S. Morse, Contest Chairperson Poet’s Choice (Judge – John Morrison) First Place: “Everyone Worries Schrodinger’s Cat is Dead or Alive, Yet No One Stops to Ask Its Name” by Brady Pearson

2020 Fall Contest Winners in the Spanish Language Category Judge: José Angel Araguz First Place: “Sin ataduras / I don’t want to belong” by Ma. Concepcion Sin ataduras No quiero pertenecer quiero ser libre más allá del amor más allá de la patria y la familia sin la soga del ritual desplazarme en la ingravidez

Fall 2020 Winning Poems for “30 and Under” Category Contest Judge: Marilyn Johnston First Place in 30 and Under – “Matryoshka” by Bailey Thomas I am many within myself Ten thousand days vying for influence Building to a fractured whole. I feel you in there, small and unsure Gangly and filled with hope, anger, fear

2020 Fall Adult Contest Results for Theme/Community Judge: Emmett Wheatfall First Place Winner for Theme: “Friday Night after COVID” by Christen Pagett We’ll walk to Fitzgerald’s at the corner, and I’ll order the darkest beer with the deepest froth and tip him more than 20%, even though he’s never smiled at us before. We’ll meld

Fall 2020 Winning Poems in the Traditional/Pantoum Category Judge:  Erica Goss First Place: “Say Their Names” by Dan Kaufman As we step toward justice, we must say their names. Mr. Arbery, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Floyd, discarded while Black. Knee-necked, bulleted, erased by cold aims. The roll call continues, each a bitter flashback. Mr. Floyd, Mr.

Fall 2020 Winning Poems for the New Poets Category Judge: Eleanor Berry First Place: “The Outcrop” by Vicki Pedone Here I am again, on the dry shoreline of this dying lake, gazing at your immutable hardness with frustration and not a little anger. How many years must I come while you haughtily guard your secrets?

Fall 2020 Winning Poems for the Members Only Category Judge: Amy Miller First Place in Members Only: “At the Frenchglen Hotel” by Scottie Sterrett We gather with other guests, mesmerized as butterflies, opulent in cellophane envelopes, emerge from two shoeboxes. The LA lawyer, resplendent in Oakleys and Lauren has spent himself on Steens Mountain collecting