2014
The judge for our kick-off year was Ann Struthers. Ann earned a BA from Morningside College in Sioux City and an MA and a PhD in modern letters from the University of Iowa. Struthers is the author of four collections of poetry, including What You Try to Tame (2004) and Stoneboat (1989). She has received Fulbright fellowships to Syria and Sri Lanka. Currently the writer-in-residence and a visiting professor of English at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Struthers has also taught at the University of Northern Iowa.
Ann had a few words to pass on to this year's entrants. She said:
In reading the contest poems I was struck by the heartfelt tone of so many. I understood the feelings behind these poems, and wished that there were some special prize that would ease the heartache of these writers. Moreover, in reading so many, I was impressed with all the work that so many poets had done--yes, writing is work, enjoyable, but work.
Of course, not every poem could have a prize, so here are some of the qualities I look for in good poems:
I would also like to add that the poets need to read contemporary poets. I suggest reading the poems in THE NEW YORKER, THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW, and POETRY and FLYWAY. THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW is edited at the University of Northern Iowa and FLYWAY at Iowa State University. Although the reader may not like or connect with all the poems, it is important to know what is going on in the world of poetry. Of course, the poets should read many poets, the classical ones, especially for background.
____________
Thank you, Dr. Struthers, for gifting us with your expertise for this inaugural project!
So without further ado:
Winners
First place winner: Marian Kaplun Shapiro for "Drowning Without Water." (see poem below)
Second place winner: Sharon Fedor for "#1 After Emily Dickinson" (see poem below)
Honorable Mentions:
Sonja Johanson - "A Spear of Sanctified Hyssop" (see poem below)
Neil Carpathios - "Don't Blame"
Lois Marie Harrod - "The Spineless"
Neil P. Brothers - "Father's Day"
Laura D. Weeks - "A Hand by Any Other Name"
Julie Wenglinski - "Triangulation"
Claire Keyes - "A Note to Myself"
Jennifer Hu - "Woman: The Revelation"
Cassandra Labairon - "Prairie Homecoming - The Storm"
Teddy Norris - "Pillars of Salt"
Ann had a few words to pass on to this year's entrants. She said:
In reading the contest poems I was struck by the heartfelt tone of so many. I understood the feelings behind these poems, and wished that there were some special prize that would ease the heartache of these writers. Moreover, in reading so many, I was impressed with all the work that so many poets had done--yes, writing is work, enjoyable, but work.
Of course, not every poem could have a prize, so here are some of the qualities I look for in good poems:
- imaginative use of language
- metaphor
- image
- importance of subject
- Has the poet made the subject NEW?
- close observation
I would also like to add that the poets need to read contemporary poets. I suggest reading the poems in THE NEW YORKER, THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW, and POETRY and FLYWAY. THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW is edited at the University of Northern Iowa and FLYWAY at Iowa State University. Although the reader may not like or connect with all the poems, it is important to know what is going on in the world of poetry. Of course, the poets should read many poets, the classical ones, especially for background.
____________
Thank you, Dr. Struthers, for gifting us with your expertise for this inaugural project!
So without further ado:
Winners
First place winner: Marian Kaplun Shapiro for "Drowning Without Water." (see poem below)
Second place winner: Sharon Fedor for "#1 After Emily Dickinson" (see poem below)
Honorable Mentions:
Sonja Johanson - "A Spear of Sanctified Hyssop" (see poem below)
Neil Carpathios - "Don't Blame"
Lois Marie Harrod - "The Spineless"
Neil P. Brothers - "Father's Day"
Laura D. Weeks - "A Hand by Any Other Name"
Julie Wenglinski - "Triangulation"
Claire Keyes - "A Note to Myself"
Jennifer Hu - "Woman: The Revelation"
Cassandra Labairon - "Prairie Homecoming - The Storm"
Teddy Norris - "Pillars of Salt"
Winning Poems
Drowning Without Water
by Marian Kaplun Shapiro
Drowning without water is
like falling
asleep. Everyone can do it.
Does. Survival, however, calls for
subtle skill
to be cultivated carefully.
Those who master it
often think
it just came naturally
like crawling, without
model or
mentor demonstrating
the techniques. Like singing
in tune. But
it's more like whistling.
You have to pay attention
and practice, usually
in secret, until
you get the hang
of it.
by Marian Kaplun Shapiro
Drowning without water is
like falling
asleep. Everyone can do it.
Does. Survival, however, calls for
subtle skill
to be cultivated carefully.
Those who master it
often think
it just came naturally
like crawling, without
model or
mentor demonstrating
the techniques. Like singing
in tune. But
it's more like whistling.
You have to pay attention
and practice, usually
in secret, until
you get the hang
of it.
#1 After Emily Dickinson
by Sharon Fedor
My Reach --- is longer than your Miles ---
So --- should you place your boot ---
Beyond the Equatorial ---
No freedom --- will take root ---
My Reach is deeper than a well ---
Without --- a bottom stone ---
So --- should you lean and look and fall ---
Still never will --- alone ---
My Reach is Hungry-Hearted heavy ---
No Thing will satisfy ---
Till --- twisting round --- Encircling ---
Embracing you --- Close I
by Sharon Fedor
My Reach --- is longer than your Miles ---
So --- should you place your boot ---
Beyond the Equatorial ---
No freedom --- will take root ---
My Reach is deeper than a well ---
Without --- a bottom stone ---
So --- should you lean and look and fall ---
Still never will --- alone ---
My Reach is Hungry-Hearted heavy ---
No Thing will satisfy ---
Till --- twisting round --- Encircling ---
Embracing you --- Close I
A Spear of Sanctified Hyssop
by Sonja Johanson
A frugal year could lift you
through the crown of your hat.
You would be willing to stand
discipline, you would lavish
charity on the wrong men, point
thoughtfully at the flask when
whiskey made them open up.
Well or ill, you would lie like
a pickpocket, sing like a rain-
crow clanking a copper-bell.
With your meditative cast of mind,
you would not need anything
so coarse and selfish as a world.
[Found poem, source text H.L. Davis’s “Honey in the Horn”]
by Sonja Johanson
A frugal year could lift you
through the crown of your hat.
You would be willing to stand
discipline, you would lavish
charity on the wrong men, point
thoughtfully at the flask when
whiskey made them open up.
Well or ill, you would lie like
a pickpocket, sing like a rain-
crow clanking a copper-bell.
With your meditative cast of mind,
you would not need anything
so coarse and selfish as a world.
[Found poem, source text H.L. Davis’s “Honey in the Horn”]