Contests are held for members in conjunction with each gathering to give opportunity and encouragement to keep writing and to receive constructive feedback, recognition, and deserved praise from knowledgeable judges. Subject, form, and line limit for contests are announced in the preceding newsletter. Contest deadlines must always be postmarked by at least one full month before the next meeting. Submit only poems not previously published, and be aware that submission to a contest constitutes permission to publish.

Poems are sent anonymously to judges who make written decisions and comments on each entry, to be presented orally at the meeting. Judges' choices of the top three entries in each contest are recognized with certificates, cash awards, and publication in the newsletter. Honorable mentions are awarded certificates and published in the Stanza if space allows.

CONTEST WINNERS of April 2019 Contest
Subject Poem: A persona poem of no more than 30 lines, judged by former MPS President Carol Bachofner.

Winners:

1st Prize: I catch a flash of metal – Margie Kivel
2nd Prize: The Hangman Calls,
               Presidio, Texas 1883 – Robert Paul Allen
3rd Prize: MARIA – Ruth F. Guillard

Honorable Mention:

1st Honorable Mention: The Model (Room in Ogunquit),
     (after Yasuo Kuniyoshi’s After the Bath, 1923) – Carl Little
2nd Honorable Mention: His Next Duchess – Andrew C. Twaddle
3rd Honorable Mention: My Tears Flow South – Bill Frayer
4th Honorable Mention: MONA LISA – Nick Stone

Details of the October Contest are available in the August issue of the Stanza.

The Maine Poets Society 2019 Prize Poem Contest Results

Previously Published Poets: The winner was Richard Foerster’s poem “Daphnis in Old Age,” and runners-up were Kevin Sweeney’s “Uncle Vanya in Mad Town” and “The Glass Worker” by Leonore Hildebrandt.

Unpublished Poets: The winner was Jen Ryan Onken with her poem “Breezy Point After the Hurricane.”