Winners Announced - 2019 NC Poetry Society Poetry Contests - Ben Cutler among winners

Swain County Rep for NCWN-West,  Ben Cutler of Whitter, NC is a winner in the 2019  NC Poetry Society Contests

The North Carolina Poetry Society (NCPS) has announced the names of its 2019 adult poetry contest winners. Winning poets will receive cash prizes and their poems will be published in the annual anthology, Pinesong.

Winning poets have been invited to read at Sam Ragan Awards Day at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines on Saturday, May 11, 2019. All poetry lovers are invited to attend.

The Poet Laureate prize was awarded by North Carolina poet laureate, Jaki Shelton Green, to Maureen Sherbondy for her poem “Gretel.”

Other first-prize winners are:

• Jane Shlensky (Bahama, NC), “A Short History of Mystery” – Alice Osborn Award (poems written for children ages 2-12)

• Crystal Simone Smith (Durham, NC), “slave museum” – Bloodroot Haiku Award

• Benjamin Cutler (Whittier, NC), “Speak of Rivers” – Carol Bessent Hayman Poetry of Love Award

• Alan Michael Parker (Davidson, NC), “Virtual Villanelle” – Joanna Catherine Scott Award (traditional forms)

• Don Ball (Raleigh, NC), “The Grammar of Kissing” – Katherine Kennedy McIntyre Light Verse Award

• Les Brown (Troutman, NC), “I Am from Black Earth” – Mary Ruffin Poole American Heritage Award

• Pam Baggett (Cedar Grove, NC), “Stampede” – Poetry of Courage Award

• Benjamin Cutler (Whittier, NC), “The Church of Unmaking” – Poetry of Witness Award

• Barbara Blanks (Garland, TX), “Time Lines,” Ruth Morris Moose Sestina Award

• Les Brown (Troutman, NC), “Bathing and Grabbling on a Hot Summer Day” – Thomas H. McDill Award

The complete list of judges and winners can be found on the NCPS website (https://www.ncpoetrysociety.org/2019-adult-contest-winners/).

The North Carolina Poetry Society is an all-volunteer organization especially for poets and friends of poetry. We have over 450 members from North Carolina and numerous locations beyond. The North Carolina Poetry Society serves its membership by offering opportunities to study the craft of writing poetry; to participate in contests and competitions; and to enjoy a meaningful connection with poets throughout our state.

Stan Absher

Director, Adult Poetry Contests

NC Poetry Society