Michele Herman, “The Ropes,” 2021 Jack Grapes Poetry Prize Finalist selected by Judge Mariano Zaro This poem opens with a very precise image: “The ropes were mounted/on the ceiling of the gym.” Then, with remarkable pacing the poet unveils the nature of the characters (“Jeannie O’Brian,” “Mr. Dube the gym teacher”). Without leaving the confined …
Jennie Miller, “LDR,” 2021 Jack Grapes Poetry Prize Finalist selected by Judge Clare MacQueen This matchbook-sized poem illustrates admirably how a larger story can be condensed into only 23 characters—including spaces! From the acronymous title, to the clever formatting, to the final word, I believe “LDR” masterfully distills a life situation that quite a few …
Matthew DeGroat, “You Should Probably Date Me,” 2021 Jack Grapes Poetry Prize Finalist selected by Judge Alexis Rhone Fancher This marvelous, quirky poem held me in sway from the first reading. Funny, poignant and self-deprecating, the poem made me laugh out loud. When I went deeper, I was impressed with the craft and language of …
Jen Karetnick, “Duck,” 2021 Jack Grapes Poetry Prize Finalist selected by Judge Clare MacQueen ”Duck” is a poetic narrative with its own kind of music, and with memorable language and imagery, the latter of which may not be pretty in at least one case. I also appreciate the well-chosen line breaks (in particular, Line 9) …
Susan Carroll Jewell, “There Will Be Birds,” 2021 Jack Grapes Poetry Prize Finalist selected by Judge Alexis Rhone Fancher This beautiful, heart-rending poem careens to a remarkable conclusion. Hitchcock’s film, The Birds, shares space with flamingos, seagulls, nighthawks and black birds, culminating with the sparrow announcing the mother’s death. Gorgeous, devastating. And that last line! …
Trish Hopkinson, “Uprooted,” 2021 Jack Grapes Poetry Prize Finalist selected by Judge Mariano Zaro This poem, articulated in perfectly paced tercets, is an exercise of specificity: “My mother pulled out the rhubarb”. This simple action, intensified throughout the poem, becomes a symbol of the relationship between humankind and nature. Without leaving the confined space of …
Angele Ellis, “Self-Portrait as Wineglass,” 2021 Jack Grapes Poetry Prize Finalist selected by Judge Clare MacQueen Speaking of lyrical writing, “Self-Portrait as Wine Glass” is simply luscious in the mouth, and to the ear when read aloud. With exquisite imagery, this poem engages all the senses. While it’s a sensuous piece, it also speaks to …
Our judges displayed exquisite taste, selecting the distinguished three winners and nine finalists from a pool of over 1800 poems submitted. It was not an easy task. All poems were anonymized before reading. The readers and judges had no idea whose poem they were reading, where they came from or even what gender they embraced. …
Contest Results for the 2021 Jack Grapes Poetry Prize Read More »
[SUBMISSIONS CLOSED] We’re thrilled to announce that three extraordinary poets will be judging the 9th Annual Jack Grapes Poetry Prize this year. The Poetry Prize submission period ends August 31, 2021. Rules and submission information here: Jack Grapes Poetry Prize 2021 The Judges: Clare MacQueen is founding editor of two literary journals, MacQueen’s Quinterly and KYSO Flash. She edited, …
Cultural Daily’s 9th Annual “Jack Grapes Poetry Prize” is open for submissions July 1-August 30, 2021
Each year the Jack Grapes Poetry Prize accepts submissions from all over the world and awards prize money and publication to poets selected by a panel of judges. On this page you can make a contribution to this year’s Poetry Prize. Your generosity will support the cash prizes, the number of winners and finalists, and …
I’m a sucker for a beautifully told tale, and Dan Curley’s “Remuria” delivers. This poem about his students and his friend and her devastating diagnosis, interwoven with Rome in all her beauty, kept pulling me back into its sad embrace. — Alexis Rhone Fancher *** Remuria The day you were diagnosed You came to …
“Houseplant” is a wonderfully well-made poem. From the beginning, we are told that something odd, wonderful, and magical is happening, “I water my ficus with milk.” Every line that follows delivers what is promised in the first. As a reader, I cannot stop reading the poem because each turn and twist is enjoyable and fun. …
“Stuck in Traffic, I Witness” examines a small incident and meditates on its spiritual and humanistic significance. The poem’s power derives from the intimate conversation the speaker has with us readers: “Sometimes, I wonder if the universe intentionally breaks us till our bodies compete with dust before dispensing a rain of half-baked glee to whet …
I was surprised I chose “Hemingway’s Room” because I tend not to like poems about writing. Again, it was the language, clean and sharp throughout, but the section where the narrator heads out and reports what he sees, the images, is what won me over. — Tony Gloeggler *** Hemingway’s Room I think about …
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