Poetry Society of Tennessee 68th Annual Poetry Contest Results
Thank you to all who submitted poems for the society's 68th Annual Poetry Festival Contests. First place winners and Tennessee Voices contest finalists will appear in Tennessee Voices, 2023-2024. A special thanks to guest judges:
Tennessee Voices Anthology, 2024-2025 will become available for purchase in late summer. Check here for updates.
Thank you to all who submitted poems for the society's 68th Annual Poetry Festival Contests. First place winners and Tennessee Voices contest finalists will appear in Tennessee Voices, 2023-2024. A special thanks to guest judges:
- For Tennessee Voices contest: Andrew Butler, Danielle Byington, Susan Underwood
- For "Play it Again, Sam" contest: guest judge Elise Ball
Tennessee Voices Anthology, 2024-2025 will become available for purchase in late summer. Check here for updates.
68th ANNUAL POETRY FESTIVAL POETRY CONTEST WINNERS
BEST OF THE FEST
Best of the 68th Festival 1st place poems (contest 2 excluded) PRIZE: $250
Rest by KB Ballentine
1. TENNESSEE VOICES (All winners and finalists will appear in Tennessee Voices Anthology, 2024-2025)
Eligibility: Tennessee resident or PST members only. Entry Fee: $2 for a single poem. One entry only. Form: Any / Topic: Any Prizes: 1st $150/ 2nd $100 / 3rd $50
1st BLCKDOG’s BRNBOY HUM by Kelly Falzone
2nd Black Angels of Hamilton County by Laura Gunnells Miller
3rd Short Cuts by James C Jackson
Finalists
Walnut Wisdom by Danita Dodson
Housewifery by Connie Jordan Green
Holy Ground by Sarah Small
Next Time by Melanie Harless
Eleison by Beatrix Brockman
A Day in the Yard by Richard Ramsey
My Paradise by Ray Zimmerman
To The Shrubbery by Jerri Hardesty
2. PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM
Eligibility: PST members only. Entry Fee: $2 per entry. Up to 5 entries. Form: Any / Topic: Any Special Instructions: Any previously published poem. Note where poem was published on your entry. Do not combine multiple entries into a single file. PRIZES: to be determined by number of entries
1st Divorce by Kelly Falzone
2nd Walking In Sand by Jerry Buchanan
3rd Ode to Candle Stub by Cathy Hollister
Honorable Mentions
1HM Affirmation by Gay Marie Logsdon
2HM In May by Connie Jordan Green
3HM As Long As We're Swapping Recipes by Kelly Falzone
3. NORTHEAST REGION CONTEST
Form: any / Topic: Places. A poem centered on place (as you define it) in a setting or as subject.
1st Seneca Lake Nocturne by Sarah Small
2nd Proudly Point We by Russell Strauss
3rd Four O'clock Class by Cynthia Storrs
Honorable Mentions
1HM Returning by Grace Diane Jessen
2HM In Here by Sharon Waters
3HM Patchwork Jazz by Lisa Kamolnick
4HM Columbus, Georgia by Mark Hammerschick
4. EAST REGION CONTEST
Form: any / Topic: An ekphrastic poem about art depicting Tennessee or by a Tennessee artist. Note artwork and artist on entry.
1st Wolf by John Mannone
2nd I Am a Man, I Am a Man, I Am… by Russell H. Strauss
3rd The Curtains are Already Open by Heather Loudermilk
Honorable Mentions
1HM Haiku - rising mist shimmers by Sara Gipson
2HM Adam & Eve: After Creation by Lisa Kamolnick
3HM Frozen Waterfall by Sarah Small
4HM Day’s End by Laura Gunnells Miller
5. MIDEAST REGION CONTEST
Form: any / Topic: Blast from the Past A poem incorporating an historical element as subject or poetic device.
1st Bones Die Hard by Dr. Emory D. Jones
2nd The Watchers by Cathy Hollister
3rd Croatoan, 1602 (Erasure) by Sherry Poff
Honorable Mentions
Make Manifest Our Unanimity by Kayla Nichols
There Go Fools by Terry Jude Miller
Paper, Scissors, Glue by Lisa Kamolnick
6. SOUTHEAST REGION CONTEST
Form: Nonet / Topic: any Lines: nine, per form
1st Shrinking by V Kimball Barney
2nd Return by Sherry Poff
3rd Alone in a November Wind by Russell Strauss
Honorable Mentions
Consequences John Mannone
7. MIDDLE REGION CONTEST
Form: Sonnet / Topic: any Lines: per form
1st Vietnam Memories by Patsy Twiner
2nd In Praise of the Epi-Pen by Kelly Falzone
3rd Sonnet for the Lost by Sharon Waters
Honorable Mentions
1HM Summer Next by Connie Jordan Green
2HM Arboreal Echoes by Daniel Moreschi
3HM All in the bite of an apple by Cathy Moran
4HM Posture of Prayer by Cathy Hollister
8. SOUTHWEST REGION CONTEST
A Previously Rejected Poem Special Instructions: sometimes good work gets rejected. Send us a previously rejected poem.
1st For You, I Wait by Sara Gipson
2nd Balanced On The Edges Of The Gloaming by Mark G Hammerschick
3rd Survival by Sarah Small
Honorable Mentions
1HM The Sister I Had by Fred Tudiver
2HM Fisherman by John Mannone
3HM Mushrooms by Pat Hope
4HM Last Chance by Richard Ramsey
9. KENTUCKY LAKE REGION CONTEST
Form: any / Topic: Sci-Fi / Fantasy
1st I Imagine Myself into a Western Film (Daydreaming in the Faculty Lounge) by Cynthia Storrs
2nd Goddess of Sisterhood by Kayla Nichols
3rd Laurentia by Jerry Buchanan
Honorable Mentions
Chiajewel by Cathy Hollister
Poem in which we may become purple octopi but don’t worry it’s not permanent by Lisa Kamolnick
Willy’s Wooly Mammoth by Russell Strauss
10. WEST REGION CONTEST
Form: Dorsimbra / Topic: any Lines: 12, per form
1st Morning Mix Tape by Lisa Kamolnick
2nd Apple Grower's Lament by Sarah Small
3rd Our Country Garden by Sara Gipson
Honorable Mentions
1HM Old Enough by V Kimball Barney
2HM Sidetracked by Jerri Hardesty
3HM Un-Happy Hour by Russell Strauss
11. AT-LARGE REGION CONTEST
Form: Survey poem / Topic: any
1st Dwelling Questionnaire--How Would You Feel by Becky Parker
2nd Butterflies by John Mannone
3rd: Survey of Fears by Sara Gipson
Honorable Mentions
HM Question Everything by Jerri Hardesty
HM U.S. Immigration Questionnaire, Return with Care by Lisa Kamolnick
HM Who Wants To Know Who You Are? by Deborah Z Adams
12. PRESIDENT’S AWARD “Favor the Villanelle”
Form: Villanelle / Topic: any Lines: 19, per form Sponsor: Lisa Kamolnick Prizes: 1st $50 / 2nd $30 / 3rd $20
1st Talking to the Enemy by John Mannone
2nd Dragon Fire Love by Jerry Buchanan
3rd Raft of Years by Dr. Emory D. Jones
Honorable Mentions
Lost Again by Sarah Small
13. NEW MEMBERS ONLY
Eligibility: Open only to those who joined PST for the first time between 15 Dec 2023 and festival contest deadline. Form: Any / Topic: Something New Sponsor: Deborah Adams Prizes: 1st $50 / 2nd $30 / 3rd $20
1st A New Sunrise by John Mannone
2nd The End of the Book by Jerri Hardesty
3rd The Scouts by Richard Ramsey
Honorable Mentions
HM Time Traces Raindrops by Jennifer Smith
HM Nature of Women by Nikki Noushin
HM Milking Time by Kelly Falzone
14. SANDY PETERS MEMORIAL CONTEST
Form: Any / Topic: For the Birds Sponsor: Chrissie Anderson Peters
Prizes: 1st $50 / 2nd $25 / 3rd $15
1st Rest by K B Ballentine
2nd Feathering my yard by Catherine Moran
3rd Finch by Jonathan Bennett
Honorable Mentions
1HM Another Miracle by Connie Jordan Green
2HM Cardinals by John Mannone
15. JOAN T. AND SHERON B. STRAUSS MEMORIAL AWARD
Form: rhymed/ metered Subject: Any humorous subject Line: 5-16 Sponsor: Russell H. Strauss Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Ode to the Backyard Pirates by Deborah Z Adams
2nd Ta-da by Jerri Hardesty
3rd A Weevil Story by Grace Diane Jessen
Honorable Mentions
1HM Surely I'm Not Obese by V Kimball Barney
2HM Stopping in Town on a Snowy Evening by Wesley Sims
16. OPEN SEASON
Form: Any Subject: Any Sponsor: KB Ballentine Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Winter Watching by Connie Jordan Green
2nd Recovery's First Step by Patsy Twiner
3rd What Summer Keeps by Pat Hope
Honorable Mentions
1HM Roadkill by Kayla Nichols
2HM As Night Stills by Jennifer Smith
17. TENNESSEE HEROES
Form: Any / Topic: Tennessee Heroes Sponsor: Emory D. Jones Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st The Tennessee Volunteers (and My Garden Hose) by Cynthia Storrs
2nd Home, But Never Free by Kelly Falzone
3rd The Mary Magdelene of Memphis by Russell Strauss
Honorable Mentions
1HM Veteran's Day, 2024 by Mark Hudson
2HM They Paid the Cost by Jerri Hardesty
18. TENNESSEE RIVERS
Form: Any Topic: Tennessee Rivers Lines: 10-40 Sponsor PST Knoxville Group Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Tracing Streams by Lisa Kamolnick
2nd Nolichucky by Danita Dodson
3rd Look Beyond the Bend by Cathy Hollister
Honorable Mentions
River Beneath the Roots by K B Ballentine
19. NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE
Form: Any Topic: Anything related to Native American culture, past or present Sponsor: Howard Carman Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Tanasi by Becky Parker
2nd I Wish I Could Ask My Cherokee Grandmothers by Danita Dodson
3rd Valley of the Springs (The Coming of Ishtaiukatubbe) by Dr. Emory D. Jones
Honorable Mentions
Young Pups by Jerri Hardesty
Ghost Dance by John Mannone
20. DOUBLE JUDGE
Form: Free Verse / Topic: Any Note: Two judges will select two slates of winners. Two sets of prizes will be awarded. Sponsor: Rose Klix & Lisa Kamolnick Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10 (for each prize slate)
Judge 1
1st The Lesson of Trees by Terry Jude Miller
2nd Ice Cream Smiles by Russell Strauss
3rd Homecoming Requiem by Jerry Buchanan
Honorable Mentions
1HM Lying on my Back by V Kimball Barney
2HM Mama Deer by Pat Hope
3HM Do Not Go Gentle by John Crawford
4HM Surviving the Stages by Grace Diane Jessen
Judge 2
1st In the Blood by Deborah Z Adams
2nd Berlin in the Morning by Beatrix Brockman
3rd Conversation with Shadows in a Cracked Mirror by Becky Parker
Honorable Mentions
1HM To follow your own words by Catherine Moran
2HM Searching for the Village Vanguard by Stephanie Dupont
3HM Golden Hours by Jonathan Bennett
4HM Mama Deer by Pat Hope
21. BOBBIE DROBECK MEMORIAL AWARD
Form: Any Subject: a "how to" poem instructing the reader on how to do anything the poet chooses Line: 10-30 Sponsor: Russell H. Strauss Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Recipe for Rustic Bread by John Mannone
2nd Culinary Creation by Laura Gunnells Miller
3rd How to Fall from a Fig Tree by Terry Jude Miller
Honorable Mentions
1HM How to Bake an Apple Pie by Sarah Small
2HM How to Read with a Cat by Patsy Twiner
3HM Baking Christmas Cookies by Jerri Hardesty
22. POET’S CHOICE
Form: Any Subject: Any Sponsor: KB Ballentine Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Near the End: a Love Poem by Connie Jordan Green
2nd Sometimes on Shower Day" by Sarah Small
3rd How to Maintain a Soul by Terry Jude Miller
Honorable Mentions
1HM cup water in your hands and drink your fill by Kayla Nichols
2HM All the details of dividing by Catherine Moran
JUDGES
Best of Fest: Christian J. Collier
Tennessee Voices: Andrew Butler, Danielle Byington, Susan Underwood
Play it Again, Sam: Elise Ball
Other Categories
Deborah-Zenha Adams, KB Ballentine, Mary Beth Bretzlauf, Howard Carman, Jennifer Dotson, Stephanie DuPont, Connie Jordan Green, Lydia Gwynn, Christina Jensen, Dr. Emory Jones, Lisa Kamolnick, Rose Klix, Ida Kotyuk, Jill Angel Langlois, Jake Lawson, Chrissie Anderson Peters, Michael Shoemaker, Russell Strauss, Emily Wilson
BEST OF THE FEST
Best of the 68th Festival 1st place poems (contest 2 excluded) PRIZE: $250
Rest by KB Ballentine
1. TENNESSEE VOICES (All winners and finalists will appear in Tennessee Voices Anthology, 2024-2025)
Eligibility: Tennessee resident or PST members only. Entry Fee: $2 for a single poem. One entry only. Form: Any / Topic: Any Prizes: 1st $150/ 2nd $100 / 3rd $50
1st BLCKDOG’s BRNBOY HUM by Kelly Falzone
2nd Black Angels of Hamilton County by Laura Gunnells Miller
3rd Short Cuts by James C Jackson
Finalists
Walnut Wisdom by Danita Dodson
Housewifery by Connie Jordan Green
Holy Ground by Sarah Small
Next Time by Melanie Harless
Eleison by Beatrix Brockman
A Day in the Yard by Richard Ramsey
My Paradise by Ray Zimmerman
To The Shrubbery by Jerri Hardesty
2. PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM
Eligibility: PST members only. Entry Fee: $2 per entry. Up to 5 entries. Form: Any / Topic: Any Special Instructions: Any previously published poem. Note where poem was published on your entry. Do not combine multiple entries into a single file. PRIZES: to be determined by number of entries
1st Divorce by Kelly Falzone
2nd Walking In Sand by Jerry Buchanan
3rd Ode to Candle Stub by Cathy Hollister
Honorable Mentions
1HM Affirmation by Gay Marie Logsdon
2HM In May by Connie Jordan Green
3HM As Long As We're Swapping Recipes by Kelly Falzone
3. NORTHEAST REGION CONTEST
Form: any / Topic: Places. A poem centered on place (as you define it) in a setting or as subject.
1st Seneca Lake Nocturne by Sarah Small
2nd Proudly Point We by Russell Strauss
3rd Four O'clock Class by Cynthia Storrs
Honorable Mentions
1HM Returning by Grace Diane Jessen
2HM In Here by Sharon Waters
3HM Patchwork Jazz by Lisa Kamolnick
4HM Columbus, Georgia by Mark Hammerschick
4. EAST REGION CONTEST
Form: any / Topic: An ekphrastic poem about art depicting Tennessee or by a Tennessee artist. Note artwork and artist on entry.
1st Wolf by John Mannone
2nd I Am a Man, I Am a Man, I Am… by Russell H. Strauss
3rd The Curtains are Already Open by Heather Loudermilk
Honorable Mentions
1HM Haiku - rising mist shimmers by Sara Gipson
2HM Adam & Eve: After Creation by Lisa Kamolnick
3HM Frozen Waterfall by Sarah Small
4HM Day’s End by Laura Gunnells Miller
5. MIDEAST REGION CONTEST
Form: any / Topic: Blast from the Past A poem incorporating an historical element as subject or poetic device.
1st Bones Die Hard by Dr. Emory D. Jones
2nd The Watchers by Cathy Hollister
3rd Croatoan, 1602 (Erasure) by Sherry Poff
Honorable Mentions
Make Manifest Our Unanimity by Kayla Nichols
There Go Fools by Terry Jude Miller
Paper, Scissors, Glue by Lisa Kamolnick
6. SOUTHEAST REGION CONTEST
Form: Nonet / Topic: any Lines: nine, per form
1st Shrinking by V Kimball Barney
2nd Return by Sherry Poff
3rd Alone in a November Wind by Russell Strauss
Honorable Mentions
Consequences John Mannone
7. MIDDLE REGION CONTEST
Form: Sonnet / Topic: any Lines: per form
1st Vietnam Memories by Patsy Twiner
2nd In Praise of the Epi-Pen by Kelly Falzone
3rd Sonnet for the Lost by Sharon Waters
Honorable Mentions
1HM Summer Next by Connie Jordan Green
2HM Arboreal Echoes by Daniel Moreschi
3HM All in the bite of an apple by Cathy Moran
4HM Posture of Prayer by Cathy Hollister
8. SOUTHWEST REGION CONTEST
A Previously Rejected Poem Special Instructions: sometimes good work gets rejected. Send us a previously rejected poem.
1st For You, I Wait by Sara Gipson
2nd Balanced On The Edges Of The Gloaming by Mark G Hammerschick
3rd Survival by Sarah Small
Honorable Mentions
1HM The Sister I Had by Fred Tudiver
2HM Fisherman by John Mannone
3HM Mushrooms by Pat Hope
4HM Last Chance by Richard Ramsey
9. KENTUCKY LAKE REGION CONTEST
Form: any / Topic: Sci-Fi / Fantasy
1st I Imagine Myself into a Western Film (Daydreaming in the Faculty Lounge) by Cynthia Storrs
2nd Goddess of Sisterhood by Kayla Nichols
3rd Laurentia by Jerry Buchanan
Honorable Mentions
Chiajewel by Cathy Hollister
Poem in which we may become purple octopi but don’t worry it’s not permanent by Lisa Kamolnick
Willy’s Wooly Mammoth by Russell Strauss
10. WEST REGION CONTEST
Form: Dorsimbra / Topic: any Lines: 12, per form
1st Morning Mix Tape by Lisa Kamolnick
2nd Apple Grower's Lament by Sarah Small
3rd Our Country Garden by Sara Gipson
Honorable Mentions
1HM Old Enough by V Kimball Barney
2HM Sidetracked by Jerri Hardesty
3HM Un-Happy Hour by Russell Strauss
11. AT-LARGE REGION CONTEST
Form: Survey poem / Topic: any
1st Dwelling Questionnaire--How Would You Feel by Becky Parker
2nd Butterflies by John Mannone
3rd: Survey of Fears by Sara Gipson
Honorable Mentions
HM Question Everything by Jerri Hardesty
HM U.S. Immigration Questionnaire, Return with Care by Lisa Kamolnick
HM Who Wants To Know Who You Are? by Deborah Z Adams
12. PRESIDENT’S AWARD “Favor the Villanelle”
Form: Villanelle / Topic: any Lines: 19, per form Sponsor: Lisa Kamolnick Prizes: 1st $50 / 2nd $30 / 3rd $20
1st Talking to the Enemy by John Mannone
2nd Dragon Fire Love by Jerry Buchanan
3rd Raft of Years by Dr. Emory D. Jones
Honorable Mentions
Lost Again by Sarah Small
13. NEW MEMBERS ONLY
Eligibility: Open only to those who joined PST for the first time between 15 Dec 2023 and festival contest deadline. Form: Any / Topic: Something New Sponsor: Deborah Adams Prizes: 1st $50 / 2nd $30 / 3rd $20
1st A New Sunrise by John Mannone
2nd The End of the Book by Jerri Hardesty
3rd The Scouts by Richard Ramsey
Honorable Mentions
HM Time Traces Raindrops by Jennifer Smith
HM Nature of Women by Nikki Noushin
HM Milking Time by Kelly Falzone
14. SANDY PETERS MEMORIAL CONTEST
Form: Any / Topic: For the Birds Sponsor: Chrissie Anderson Peters
Prizes: 1st $50 / 2nd $25 / 3rd $15
1st Rest by K B Ballentine
2nd Feathering my yard by Catherine Moran
3rd Finch by Jonathan Bennett
Honorable Mentions
1HM Another Miracle by Connie Jordan Green
2HM Cardinals by John Mannone
15. JOAN T. AND SHERON B. STRAUSS MEMORIAL AWARD
Form: rhymed/ metered Subject: Any humorous subject Line: 5-16 Sponsor: Russell H. Strauss Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Ode to the Backyard Pirates by Deborah Z Adams
2nd Ta-da by Jerri Hardesty
3rd A Weevil Story by Grace Diane Jessen
Honorable Mentions
1HM Surely I'm Not Obese by V Kimball Barney
2HM Stopping in Town on a Snowy Evening by Wesley Sims
16. OPEN SEASON
Form: Any Subject: Any Sponsor: KB Ballentine Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Winter Watching by Connie Jordan Green
2nd Recovery's First Step by Patsy Twiner
3rd What Summer Keeps by Pat Hope
Honorable Mentions
1HM Roadkill by Kayla Nichols
2HM As Night Stills by Jennifer Smith
17. TENNESSEE HEROES
Form: Any / Topic: Tennessee Heroes Sponsor: Emory D. Jones Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st The Tennessee Volunteers (and My Garden Hose) by Cynthia Storrs
2nd Home, But Never Free by Kelly Falzone
3rd The Mary Magdelene of Memphis by Russell Strauss
Honorable Mentions
1HM Veteran's Day, 2024 by Mark Hudson
2HM They Paid the Cost by Jerri Hardesty
18. TENNESSEE RIVERS
Form: Any Topic: Tennessee Rivers Lines: 10-40 Sponsor PST Knoxville Group Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Tracing Streams by Lisa Kamolnick
2nd Nolichucky by Danita Dodson
3rd Look Beyond the Bend by Cathy Hollister
Honorable Mentions
River Beneath the Roots by K B Ballentine
19. NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE
Form: Any Topic: Anything related to Native American culture, past or present Sponsor: Howard Carman Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Tanasi by Becky Parker
2nd I Wish I Could Ask My Cherokee Grandmothers by Danita Dodson
3rd Valley of the Springs (The Coming of Ishtaiukatubbe) by Dr. Emory D. Jones
Honorable Mentions
Young Pups by Jerri Hardesty
Ghost Dance by John Mannone
20. DOUBLE JUDGE
Form: Free Verse / Topic: Any Note: Two judges will select two slates of winners. Two sets of prizes will be awarded. Sponsor: Rose Klix & Lisa Kamolnick Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10 (for each prize slate)
Judge 1
1st The Lesson of Trees by Terry Jude Miller
2nd Ice Cream Smiles by Russell Strauss
3rd Homecoming Requiem by Jerry Buchanan
Honorable Mentions
1HM Lying on my Back by V Kimball Barney
2HM Mama Deer by Pat Hope
3HM Do Not Go Gentle by John Crawford
4HM Surviving the Stages by Grace Diane Jessen
Judge 2
1st In the Blood by Deborah Z Adams
2nd Berlin in the Morning by Beatrix Brockman
3rd Conversation with Shadows in a Cracked Mirror by Becky Parker
Honorable Mentions
1HM To follow your own words by Catherine Moran
2HM Searching for the Village Vanguard by Stephanie Dupont
3HM Golden Hours by Jonathan Bennett
4HM Mama Deer by Pat Hope
21. BOBBIE DROBECK MEMORIAL AWARD
Form: Any Subject: a "how to" poem instructing the reader on how to do anything the poet chooses Line: 10-30 Sponsor: Russell H. Strauss Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Recipe for Rustic Bread by John Mannone
2nd Culinary Creation by Laura Gunnells Miller
3rd How to Fall from a Fig Tree by Terry Jude Miller
Honorable Mentions
1HM How to Bake an Apple Pie by Sarah Small
2HM How to Read with a Cat by Patsy Twiner
3HM Baking Christmas Cookies by Jerri Hardesty
22. POET’S CHOICE
Form: Any Subject: Any Sponsor: KB Ballentine Prizes: 1st $25 / 2nd $15 / 3rd $10
1st Near the End: a Love Poem by Connie Jordan Green
2nd Sometimes on Shower Day" by Sarah Small
3rd How to Maintain a Soul by Terry Jude Miller
Honorable Mentions
1HM cup water in your hands and drink your fill by Kayla Nichols
2HM All the details of dividing by Catherine Moran
JUDGES
Best of Fest: Christian J. Collier
Tennessee Voices: Andrew Butler, Danielle Byington, Susan Underwood
Play it Again, Sam: Elise Ball
Other Categories
Deborah-Zenha Adams, KB Ballentine, Mary Beth Bretzlauf, Howard Carman, Jennifer Dotson, Stephanie DuPont, Connie Jordan Green, Lydia Gwynn, Christina Jensen, Dr. Emory Jones, Lisa Kamolnick, Rose Klix, Ida Kotyuk, Jill Angel Langlois, Jake Lawson, Chrissie Anderson Peters, Michael Shoemaker, Russell Strauss, Emily Wilson
Many thanks also to our anonymous donors who sponsored regional contests. (You know who you are.) We appreciate you.