Poetry Society of Tennessee Members-Only Contest Results
Many thanks to our entrants, sponsors and judges who make these contests possible. Congratulations to all entrants whose poetry has been recognized. First place winning poems will be published in an upcoming edition of Tennessee Voices, the Poetry Society of Tennessee anthology.
August (TWO CONTESTS)
1. A haiku about animals Many thanks to sponsor Anna's Pet Sitting and Judge William Hill
1st: "Tiger in a cage" by John Crawford
2nd: "God's creatures stampede" by Ann Carolyn Cates
3rd: "Little Moth" by Kayla Nichols
1HM: "A skunk in the wild" by Mark Hudson
2HM: "Moon drunk devil dog" by Scott Pierce
3HM: "robins announce spring" by Sara Gipson
2. An American cinquain about flowers. Many thanks to sponsor William Hill Art & Poetry and Judge William Hill
1st: "Daffodil" by Kayla Nichols
2nd: "Vanity" by James Massey
3rd: "In the Garden" by Ann Carolyn Cates
1HM: "Natives" by Sarah Cummins Small
2HM: "Memories" by K. B. Ballentine
3HM: ""Duchess de Nemours Peony" by Laura Miller
September A cento about Aurora, Eclipse, Sunspots. Many thanks to sponsor PST-Knox Group and Judge Ann Long.
1st: “Moonshadow” by Lisa Kamolnick
2nd: “Heliopause…Rethink: a Cento” by Jerry Buchanan
3rd: “Spectral Sight Cento” by Cathy Hollister
1HM: “Love in the Time of Eclipse” by Deborah-Zehna Adams
2HM: “We Trace the Glories of the Godhead There” by KB Ballentine
October A heroic couplet (iambic tetrameter or pentameter). Many thanks to sponsor and judge Howard Carman.
1st Place: “A True Poem” by Sarah Cummins Small
2nd Place: “What I Did Last Summer” by Russell Strauss
3rd Place: “The Heart of Mistrust” by Sara Gipson
HM: “Love Is Too Young To Know What Conscience Is” by John C. Mannone
November A free verse poem about America the Beautiful (landscapes or landmarks of America). Many thanks to sponsor and judge Rose Klix.
1st: "Coming Home to Appalachia" by Kayla Nichols
2nd: "Praise for Southern Country Days" by Sara Gipson
3rd: "Peaceful Interlude" by Laura Miller
1HM: "Our Land of Spacious Skies" by Russell H. Strauss
December A poem about the theme "From the Old Family Album Memories, Christmases Past." Many thanks to sponsor and judge JoAn Howerton and co-judge Crystal Robbins Czerwinski.
1st: "A Christmas Card from the Ghost of Christmas Future" by Kayla Nichols
2nd: " Paper Windows" by Laura Gunnels Miller
3rd: " Even the Lights Rejoiced" by Cynthia Storrs
1HM: " Ode to Snow Cream" by Pat Hope
2HM: " Christmas Haiku" by Cathy Hollister
3HM: " Rocking Chair Snow Day" by Chrissie Anderson Peters
January A poem about the baton. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Dr. Diane Clark.
1st: “ThinBlue Line” by Patricia Hope
2nd: “Truncheon or Tolerance” by Howard S. Carman,Jr.
3rd: “Young Symphony” by Russell H. Strauss
HM: “please pick it up” by Kayla Nichols
February "Crazy for Cliches" Any form or subject, but use those trite ideas we've all been warned to avoid. Focus on a poetic cliche. Many thanks to sponsor PST-Knox (and member Sally Boyington) and judge Claudia Stanek.
1st: “Final Curtain Call” by Sarah Small
2nd: ” Crazy for Cliches” by Fred Tudiver
3rd: “Reinterpreting Robert Burns” by Connie Green
1HM: “Birdsong” by Lisa Higginbotham
2HM: “Lover’s Tale of Unrequited Love” by Amber Smith
3HM: “Bad Poetry” by Russell H. Strauss
March Ekphrastic An ekphrastic poem in response to a specific picture. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Janet Qually.
May TWO CONTESTS!
1. A poem about friends. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Emory Jones.
2. A rhymed and metered poem about any humorous subject. Many thanks to sponsor and Judge Russell H. Strauss.
Many thanks to our entrants, sponsors and judges who make these contests possible. Congratulations to all entrants whose poetry has been recognized. First place winning poems will be published in an upcoming edition of Tennessee Voices, the Poetry Society of Tennessee anthology.
August (TWO CONTESTS)
1. A haiku about animals Many thanks to sponsor Anna's Pet Sitting and Judge William Hill
1st: "Tiger in a cage" by John Crawford
2nd: "God's creatures stampede" by Ann Carolyn Cates
3rd: "Little Moth" by Kayla Nichols
1HM: "A skunk in the wild" by Mark Hudson
2HM: "Moon drunk devil dog" by Scott Pierce
3HM: "robins announce spring" by Sara Gipson
2. An American cinquain about flowers. Many thanks to sponsor William Hill Art & Poetry and Judge William Hill
1st: "Daffodil" by Kayla Nichols
2nd: "Vanity" by James Massey
3rd: "In the Garden" by Ann Carolyn Cates
1HM: "Natives" by Sarah Cummins Small
2HM: "Memories" by K. B. Ballentine
3HM: ""Duchess de Nemours Peony" by Laura Miller
September A cento about Aurora, Eclipse, Sunspots. Many thanks to sponsor PST-Knox Group and Judge Ann Long.
1st: “Moonshadow” by Lisa Kamolnick
2nd: “Heliopause…Rethink: a Cento” by Jerry Buchanan
3rd: “Spectral Sight Cento” by Cathy Hollister
1HM: “Love in the Time of Eclipse” by Deborah-Zehna Adams
2HM: “We Trace the Glories of the Godhead There” by KB Ballentine
October A heroic couplet (iambic tetrameter or pentameter). Many thanks to sponsor and judge Howard Carman.
1st Place: “A True Poem” by Sarah Cummins Small
2nd Place: “What I Did Last Summer” by Russell Strauss
3rd Place: “The Heart of Mistrust” by Sara Gipson
HM: “Love Is Too Young To Know What Conscience Is” by John C. Mannone
November A free verse poem about America the Beautiful (landscapes or landmarks of America). Many thanks to sponsor and judge Rose Klix.
1st: "Coming Home to Appalachia" by Kayla Nichols
2nd: "Praise for Southern Country Days" by Sara Gipson
3rd: "Peaceful Interlude" by Laura Miller
1HM: "Our Land of Spacious Skies" by Russell H. Strauss
December A poem about the theme "From the Old Family Album Memories, Christmases Past." Many thanks to sponsor and judge JoAn Howerton and co-judge Crystal Robbins Czerwinski.
1st: "A Christmas Card from the Ghost of Christmas Future" by Kayla Nichols
2nd: " Paper Windows" by Laura Gunnels Miller
3rd: " Even the Lights Rejoiced" by Cynthia Storrs
1HM: " Ode to Snow Cream" by Pat Hope
2HM: " Christmas Haiku" by Cathy Hollister
3HM: " Rocking Chair Snow Day" by Chrissie Anderson Peters
January A poem about the baton. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Dr. Diane Clark.
1st: “ThinBlue Line” by Patricia Hope
2nd: “Truncheon or Tolerance” by Howard S. Carman,Jr.
3rd: “Young Symphony” by Russell H. Strauss
HM: “please pick it up” by Kayla Nichols
February "Crazy for Cliches" Any form or subject, but use those trite ideas we've all been warned to avoid. Focus on a poetic cliche. Many thanks to sponsor PST-Knox (and member Sally Boyington) and judge Claudia Stanek.
1st: “Final Curtain Call” by Sarah Small
2nd: ” Crazy for Cliches” by Fred Tudiver
3rd: “Reinterpreting Robert Burns” by Connie Green
1HM: “Birdsong” by Lisa Higginbotham
2HM: “Lover’s Tale of Unrequited Love” by Amber Smith
3HM: “Bad Poetry” by Russell H. Strauss
March Ekphrastic An ekphrastic poem in response to a specific picture. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Janet Qually.
May TWO CONTESTS!
1. A poem about friends. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Emory Jones.
2. A rhymed and metered poem about any humorous subject. Many thanks to sponsor and Judge Russell H. Strauss.
FULL MOON POETRY CONTEST RESULTS
Middle Tennessee region’s Full Moon Poetry Group special members-only contest theme was the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter), or a combination of seasons, or seasonal transition. All entrants received at least two critiques of their entry, and 1st place will be published in Tennessee Voices Anthology. Many thanks to Middle Tennessee regional members and judges Cynthia Storrs, Cathy Hollister, Ione Singletary, Nikki Noushin, and Scott Pierce.
1st Place: “Back Before the World Was Autumn” by KB Ballentine
2nd Place: “Seasonal Air” by Fred Tudiver
3rd Place “Last Days of Summer” by Laura Gunnels Miller
Middle Tennessee region’s Full Moon Poetry Group special members-only contest theme was the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter), or a combination of seasons, or seasonal transition. All entrants received at least two critiques of their entry, and 1st place will be published in Tennessee Voices Anthology. Many thanks to Middle Tennessee regional members and judges Cynthia Storrs, Cathy Hollister, Ione Singletary, Nikki Noushin, and Scott Pierce.
1st Place: “Back Before the World Was Autumn” by KB Ballentine
2nd Place: “Seasonal Air” by Fred Tudiver
3rd Place “Last Days of Summer” by Laura Gunnels Miller
2023-2024 MEMBER CONTEST RESULTS
July: Double contest, exploring forms. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Russell Strauss.
Dorsimbra
1st: "Crime Borders" Sara Gipson
HM: "Jacob's Well" Jerry Buchanan
HM: "Frustrated Fisherman" Howard Carman
Pantoum
1st place: "The Heart of Art Appeal Revealed" Sara Gipson
August: Any form, on the theme "As Summer Fades." Many thanks to sponsor and judge Lisa Kamolnick.
1st: "The Sacrilege of a Tilted Axis" by Deborah Zenha-Adams
2nd: "Labor Day" by Cynthia Storrs
3rd: "The Boys of Summer, or a Teacher's Ode on Indolence" by Jeff Price
HM1 (tie): "Bored" by Russell H. Strauss and "When Summer Fades" by Kayla Nichols
HM2: "Standing in the Sun" by K.B. Ballentine
HM3: "Labor Day Potatoes" by Donna Harlan
September: An ekphrastic poem in response to a specific artwork. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Janet Qually.
1st: "April 17, 1967" by Howard Carman Jr.
2nd: "Sonnet to He Who Did Not Try" by William Hill
3rd: "Moon-fall" by Russell H. Strauss
HM1: "Postcard from Paradise" by Danita Dodson
October: An apostrophe poem, rhymed or metered. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Howard Carman.
1st (tie): “Rufous Hummer” by Jerry Buchanan and “To My Mickey Mouse Watch” by Russell H. Strauss
3rd: “Grieving” by Dr. Emory Jones
November: A free verse poem about a childhood Thanksgiving memory. Many thanks to sponsor and judge JoAn Howerton.
1st: "Thanksgiving After the Prognosis" by KB Ballentine
2nd: "The Perfect Thanksgiving As I Remember It" by William Hill
3rd: "Childhood: Thanksgiving" by Cynthia Storrs
1HM: "Thanksgiving my 9th Year" by Howard S. Carman Jr.
2HM: "Last Thanksgiving in Jonesboro" by Lisa Riley
3HM: "Thanksgiving" by Dr. Emory Jones
December: A poem about "Harmony." Many thanks to sponsor and judge Dr. Diane Clark.
1st: “Peril Harbor” by Patricia Hope
2nd: “Choir Practice” by Russell H. Strauss
3rd: “Daffodils” by Connie Jordan Green
January: "Memories of a Tennessee city or small town." Many thanks to sponsor sponsored by William Hill Art and Poetry and judge Bill Hill.
1st: “Walking to Beale Street” by Russell H. Strauss
2nd: “Yearning” by Howard Carman Jr.
3rd: “The Songwriter” by Mark Hudson
1HM: “Run” by Lisa Kamolnick
2HM: “Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 1945” by Connie Green
February: A rubyait. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Russell H. Strauss.
1st: “Sunrise Study, Beachside” by Lisa Kamolnick
2nd: “Eastview Cemetery” by Howard Carman
3rd: “Bats” by Sally Boyington
1HM: “Resolutions” by Pat Hope
2HM: “Silence” by Gail Rivera
3HM: “Spring Storms” by Sarah Gibson
March: A poem about animals. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Dr. Emory Jones.
1st: “Rainbow” by Howard Carman
2nd: “Highland Cow” by Chrissie Anderson Peters
3rd: “Obituary for a Rooster” by Russell Strauss
1HM: “Hunting Flight” by Sally Boyington
2HM: “Finch” by Jonathan Bennett
April: A poem about Tennessee Music. Many thanks to sponsor Anna's Pet Sitting and judge Bill Hill.
1st: “Blues Through the Window, 1945-1955” by Russell H. Strauss
2nd: “Dance the Old Way” by Sally Boyington
3rd: “Music to my Ears” by Lisa Riley
1HM: “Three Chords and the Truth” by Patricia Hope
2HM: “Honky-Tonk Heaven” by Fred Tudiver
3HM: “River Cruise Calliope” by Laura Gunnels Miller
July: Double contest, exploring forms. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Russell Strauss.
Dorsimbra
1st: "Crime Borders" Sara Gipson
HM: "Jacob's Well" Jerry Buchanan
HM: "Frustrated Fisherman" Howard Carman
Pantoum
1st place: "The Heart of Art Appeal Revealed" Sara Gipson
August: Any form, on the theme "As Summer Fades." Many thanks to sponsor and judge Lisa Kamolnick.
1st: "The Sacrilege of a Tilted Axis" by Deborah Zenha-Adams
2nd: "Labor Day" by Cynthia Storrs
3rd: "The Boys of Summer, or a Teacher's Ode on Indolence" by Jeff Price
HM1 (tie): "Bored" by Russell H. Strauss and "When Summer Fades" by Kayla Nichols
HM2: "Standing in the Sun" by K.B. Ballentine
HM3: "Labor Day Potatoes" by Donna Harlan
September: An ekphrastic poem in response to a specific artwork. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Janet Qually.
1st: "April 17, 1967" by Howard Carman Jr.
2nd: "Sonnet to He Who Did Not Try" by William Hill
3rd: "Moon-fall" by Russell H. Strauss
HM1: "Postcard from Paradise" by Danita Dodson
October: An apostrophe poem, rhymed or metered. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Howard Carman.
1st (tie): “Rufous Hummer” by Jerry Buchanan and “To My Mickey Mouse Watch” by Russell H. Strauss
3rd: “Grieving” by Dr. Emory Jones
November: A free verse poem about a childhood Thanksgiving memory. Many thanks to sponsor and judge JoAn Howerton.
1st: "Thanksgiving After the Prognosis" by KB Ballentine
2nd: "The Perfect Thanksgiving As I Remember It" by William Hill
3rd: "Childhood: Thanksgiving" by Cynthia Storrs
1HM: "Thanksgiving my 9th Year" by Howard S. Carman Jr.
2HM: "Last Thanksgiving in Jonesboro" by Lisa Riley
3HM: "Thanksgiving" by Dr. Emory Jones
December: A poem about "Harmony." Many thanks to sponsor and judge Dr. Diane Clark.
1st: “Peril Harbor” by Patricia Hope
2nd: “Choir Practice” by Russell H. Strauss
3rd: “Daffodils” by Connie Jordan Green
January: "Memories of a Tennessee city or small town." Many thanks to sponsor sponsored by William Hill Art and Poetry and judge Bill Hill.
1st: “Walking to Beale Street” by Russell H. Strauss
2nd: “Yearning” by Howard Carman Jr.
3rd: “The Songwriter” by Mark Hudson
1HM: “Run” by Lisa Kamolnick
2HM: “Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 1945” by Connie Green
February: A rubyait. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Russell H. Strauss.
1st: “Sunrise Study, Beachside” by Lisa Kamolnick
2nd: “Eastview Cemetery” by Howard Carman
3rd: “Bats” by Sally Boyington
1HM: “Resolutions” by Pat Hope
2HM: “Silence” by Gail Rivera
3HM: “Spring Storms” by Sarah Gibson
March: A poem about animals. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Dr. Emory Jones.
1st: “Rainbow” by Howard Carman
2nd: “Highland Cow” by Chrissie Anderson Peters
3rd: “Obituary for a Rooster” by Russell Strauss
1HM: “Hunting Flight” by Sally Boyington
2HM: “Finch” by Jonathan Bennett
April: A poem about Tennessee Music. Many thanks to sponsor Anna's Pet Sitting and judge Bill Hill.
1st: “Blues Through the Window, 1945-1955” by Russell H. Strauss
2nd: “Dance the Old Way” by Sally Boyington
3rd: “Music to my Ears” by Lisa Riley
1HM: “Three Chords and the Truth” by Patricia Hope
2HM: “Honky-Tonk Heaven” by Fred Tudiver
3HM: “River Cruise Calliope” by Laura Gunnels Miller
2022-2023 MEMBER CONTEST RESULTS
September: A humorous poem, 40-line limit, any subject. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Florence Bruce.
1st: “Fix Me” by Bill Hill
2nd: “Clark’s Dilemma” by Russell Strauss
3rd: “my Old Man” by Ann Carolyn Cates
October: A cinquain or cinquain sequence., any subject. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Howard Carman.
1st: “Remnants” by Russell Strauss
2nd: “Flightless” by Sara Gipson
3rd: “Wine Making” by Ann Carolyn Cates
Honorable Mention: “A Year in Cinquain" by Florence Bruce
November: A Shakespearean sonnet. Many thanks to sponsor and judge JoAn Howerton.
1st: "A Painter's View of Autumn Sunset" by William Hill
2nd: "Late Autumn Love" by Russell Strauss
3rd: "Autumn's Fading" by Patricia Hope
1HM: "Mice of Autumn" by Mark Hudson
2HM: "Jack O 'Lantern" by Howard Carman
3HM: "Merry Go Round" by Ann Carolyn Cates
December: A limerick about pets. Many thanks to sponsor Anna"s Pet Sitting and judge Bill Hill.
1st: "At Least, There Was No More Doggy Breath" by Russell Strauss
2nd: "The Chicken" by Claire Webb
3rd: "Willow" by Mark Hudson
1HM: untitled by Lisa Kamolnick
2HM: "Zippy Skippy" by Howard Carman
3HM: "The Board Broad" by Ann Carolyn Cates
January: Any form about a fresh start, 40-line limit. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Lisa Kamolnick.
1st: "Ode to the Little Orchid Trying to Survive" by Shuly Cawood
2nd: "Love in Color" by Claire Webb
3rd: "Nobody Knows Me Here" by Russell Strauss
HM1: "This Year I'll Make It" by William Hill
HM2: "Tabula Rasa" by Howard Carman
HM3: "Nature's Special Gift" by Sara Gipson
February: A cowboy poem, either lyric or narrative, 10-40 lines. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Russell H. Strauss.
1st: "Smokey Joe" by Sara Gibson
2nd: "Print the Legend" by William Hill
3rd: "Saving Face" by Howard Carman
March: A minute poem about "bad art.” Many thanks to sponsor William Hill Art and Poetry and judge Bill Hill.
1st: “Contested” by John Page
2nd: “Impersonating Impressionists” by Howard Carman
3rd: “A Square of Blue” by Sara Gipson
1HM: “My Friend the Artist” by Ann Thornfield-Long
2HM: “Home Made Art” by Ann Carolyn Cates
April: An ekphrastic poem in response to a specific work of art, 5-15 lines. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Janet Qually.
1st: “What Is Really Here” by Russell H. Strauss
1HM: “Digital Genesis” by Howard Carman
2HM “Serenity” by Claire Webb
3HM: “Impressions” by Connie Jordan Green
May: Any form poem about "The Ace of Spades," 40-line limit. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Dr. Diane Clark.
1st: "A New Spadille" Howard Carman
2nd: "Eighth Grade Poker" Russell Strauss
3rd:"Aces and Eights" Emory Jones
1HM: "Ace of Spades" Pat Hope
2HM: "The Last Ace" William Hill
September: A humorous poem, 40-line limit, any subject. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Florence Bruce.
1st: “Fix Me” by Bill Hill
2nd: “Clark’s Dilemma” by Russell Strauss
3rd: “my Old Man” by Ann Carolyn Cates
October: A cinquain or cinquain sequence., any subject. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Howard Carman.
1st: “Remnants” by Russell Strauss
2nd: “Flightless” by Sara Gipson
3rd: “Wine Making” by Ann Carolyn Cates
Honorable Mention: “A Year in Cinquain" by Florence Bruce
November: A Shakespearean sonnet. Many thanks to sponsor and judge JoAn Howerton.
1st: "A Painter's View of Autumn Sunset" by William Hill
2nd: "Late Autumn Love" by Russell Strauss
3rd: "Autumn's Fading" by Patricia Hope
1HM: "Mice of Autumn" by Mark Hudson
2HM: "Jack O 'Lantern" by Howard Carman
3HM: "Merry Go Round" by Ann Carolyn Cates
December: A limerick about pets. Many thanks to sponsor Anna"s Pet Sitting and judge Bill Hill.
1st: "At Least, There Was No More Doggy Breath" by Russell Strauss
2nd: "The Chicken" by Claire Webb
3rd: "Willow" by Mark Hudson
1HM: untitled by Lisa Kamolnick
2HM: "Zippy Skippy" by Howard Carman
3HM: "The Board Broad" by Ann Carolyn Cates
January: Any form about a fresh start, 40-line limit. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Lisa Kamolnick.
1st: "Ode to the Little Orchid Trying to Survive" by Shuly Cawood
2nd: "Love in Color" by Claire Webb
3rd: "Nobody Knows Me Here" by Russell Strauss
HM1: "This Year I'll Make It" by William Hill
HM2: "Tabula Rasa" by Howard Carman
HM3: "Nature's Special Gift" by Sara Gipson
February: A cowboy poem, either lyric or narrative, 10-40 lines. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Russell H. Strauss.
1st: "Smokey Joe" by Sara Gibson
2nd: "Print the Legend" by William Hill
3rd: "Saving Face" by Howard Carman
March: A minute poem about "bad art.” Many thanks to sponsor William Hill Art and Poetry and judge Bill Hill.
1st: “Contested” by John Page
2nd: “Impersonating Impressionists” by Howard Carman
3rd: “A Square of Blue” by Sara Gipson
1HM: “My Friend the Artist” by Ann Thornfield-Long
2HM: “Home Made Art” by Ann Carolyn Cates
April: An ekphrastic poem in response to a specific work of art, 5-15 lines. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Janet Qually.
1st: “What Is Really Here” by Russell H. Strauss
1HM: “Digital Genesis” by Howard Carman
2HM “Serenity” by Claire Webb
3HM: “Impressions” by Connie Jordan Green
May: Any form poem about "The Ace of Spades," 40-line limit. Many thanks to sponsor and judge Dr. Diane Clark.
1st: "A New Spadille" Howard Carman
2nd: "Eighth Grade Poker" Russell Strauss
3rd:"Aces and Eights" Emory Jones
1HM: "Ace of Spades" Pat Hope
2HM: "The Last Ace" William Hill