The 30-year-old Poet’s Seat Poetry competition continues this year, but will most likely run much like last year when the COVID-19 pandemic began. The deadline to submit a poem is March 17.
“This is the second year that we have had to hold the competition virtually,” said Marianne Snow, a member of the Friends of Greenfield Public Library, which sponsors the Poet’s Seat Poetry competition. “I have been involved in the contest every year. We certainly miss the in-person experience and the Stoneleigh-Burnham School, where we held it.
Snow said last year was a disappointment, but residents certainly understood.
“We were at the start of a serious pandemic,” she recalls. “This year, everyone has COVID fatigue and they would like to go out, but we’re going to sort it all out.”
Snow said the contest will most likely be held in May or June, and maybe by then organizers can hold it in person, although that’s unlikely.
“It’s also such a special year because it’s the pageant’s 30th year and it’s the 200th birthday of the man who inspired the pageant, Frederick Goddard Tuckerman,” she said. Tuckerman was the original poet of Poet’s Seat, named because he climbed the ridge overlooking Greenfield and wrote poems.
The contest is open to all residents, as well as students from Franklin County schools, and there are two categories: adult and young poets ages 12-18 (divided into two sub-categories ages 12-14 years and 15 to 18 years). -years). Each poet may submit up to three poems and must number the pages of multi-page poems. Pages should not be stapled.
Only unpublished poems are eligible and previous first place winners cannot resubmit, although top ranked young poets may resubmit when entering a new category.
Poets should indicate on the first page of their submission whether they belong to the adult or young poet category, and young poets should indicate their age on the first sheet in the lower right corner, although no identifying information must appear on the front of the submitted poem.
Mailed entries should have the poet’s name, address, phone number, and email address (if available) on the back of each poem, while the same information if submitted by mail. email should be on the second page and in the text of the email. In an electronic submission, poems should be attached in a file and the subject line should read “Poet’s Seat Contest Entry.
Poems will not be returned and mail-in entries must be on 8.5 inch by 11 inch white paper, printed clearly or typed in plain type. They should be sent to: Greenfield Public Library, 402 Main St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Send electronic entries to librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org.
The contest organizers will send a notice of receipt of entries on or after March 17 by email or by mail if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is included with mailed-in entries.
First prize in the adult category is stewardship of the Poet’s Seat for one year, a handmade ceramic tray, and a $25 gift certificate. All other prizes (second and third place for adults and first two places for young poets) will be a ceramic mug and a $25 gift certificate.
The judges for the adult category are Bob Barba, David Ram and Amy Gordon. The judges for both youth categories are Barry McColgan, Joanne Hayes and Gerry Yelled.
The time and location of the award ceremony will be announced later.
Contact Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.
