AND THE WINNER IS . . .

Okay, April is National Poetry Month and I had to celebrate with a poetry contest.

Thanks to everyone who entered! I loved so many of them I had my husband and daughter read them and vote for their first, second and third place winners. They both had the Grand Prize winner in their top three. Then, the first runner up was my daughter's second place choice, and the 2nd runner up was my husband's second place choice.

Honorable mentions for making the top three are: Barry Napier's AS THE DOCTOR WRITES(my daughter voted this as third place) and Ben Clanton's IN THE NIGHT THEY COME, was in my husband's list.

Before I announce the Prize winners. . .

I feel like we need a commercial break or . . . some sort of pause, so here it is:

I've always loved poetry. Poe was one of my favorites when I was growing up. And, I even wrote my first manuscript (of poems) when I was in grade school. I sent it in to an editor at Random House.

He wrote me back a full page letter, returning my poems with the rejection. I had no idea how special that letter was. I wish I knew where it was now. I'd love to look back and read it.

So, all you writers out there, I've been being rejected for decades but I still love to write.

And to be fair, since I know some of you cyber-friends out there, I asked my husband to pick the winners.

There are:

Grand Prize Winner (which means he/she gets to pick the first prize):

Jean Hall's LISTENING

1st Runner Up: Kathryn Fitzmaurice's GOODBYE SWEET SWALLOW

2nd Runner Up: Bob Schechter's QUESTION

Please pick the prize package you would like, make three choices so that I can get you each one of your top three. I will give Jean her first choice, since she was the Grand Prize Winner - look at the list of books and make your pick. Email your choice to me at kasch5 at comcast dot net

THANKS AGAIN FOR PLAYING!!! And Happy Poetry Month!