Spring Contest Judges

Laurie Byro and Sachi Nag

On Laurie's request, I speak for both. Of the 16 poems submitted, clicheic as it may be, each truly had something unique in terms of content or craft. So our initial short list was actually quite long and there was just one poem that we had in common.

After several phone calls and one hundred emails we finally zeroed in on four. From amongst the four it took us more work, no doubt, to decide on the first and second, but it was surprisingly easy for us to understand why.

We discussed, and then discussed some more, if we wanted to nominate the other two for honorable mention and decided against it for two reasons: firstly because we thought each had a nit or two that was holding them from perfection and secondly because it was just not the two but quite a few from the remaining that deserved an HM.

So, thank you for the chance to work on this, it was a blast and good learning. The results and comments are enclosed. That we were able to deliver it faster than expected owes entirely to Laurie. Best regards.

Sachi Nag

Pablo Neruda Contest Judge

James D. Corner

"There was much good work to challenge the fine work of a prize winning poet."