WD Poetic Form Challenge: Somonka Winner

This post has been a long time coming. I posted the original challenge on October 21 with a deadline of November 10. Usually, I'd have the results earlier, but some decisions were made with the magazine that afforded me some extra time--which I'm glad to have received.

I know I say it every time, but this was an incredibly difficult challenge to narrow down. And I think I know why. Many, though not all, of the short-list poems were collaborations. So I think it shows the power of two heads vs. one that often created a more interesting tension in the poems.

Speaking of short lists, my initial short list ended up with 41 poems--and that was with me being super tough. Then, I had to run through several more rounds to slowly narrow the poems down a few at a time. Long story short (too late, I know): It was tough sledding, because the writing was so great. Thank you for that!

The winning poem was by a duo from North Carolina: Jane Shlensky and Nancy Posey for their poem, "Star-gazing."

Here's the winning poem:

Star-gazing, by Jane Shlensky and Nancy Posey

I wonder if you
realize that I'm in love
with your cottonseed
eyes, onyx stars dropped in cream.
How your sweet gaze distracts me!

I caught you glancing
at me, then looking away
when my eyes met yours.
What did you see there? If some
flaw, I'd gladly pluck them out.

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Congratulations, Jane and Nancy!

Their poem will appear in an upcoming issue of Writer's Digest, and if I can swing it, the runner-up poem will too. It's an untitled collaboration by Rosemary Nissen-Wade and Bruce Niedt.

Untitled, by Rosemary Nissen-Wade and Bruce Niedt

Listen!
A magpie warbles
at my gate.
I send you the song
across distance.

When I hear it
I will fashion clouds
to its music.
When the weather turns
they will sail to you.

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Wow! Congratulations also to Rosemary and Bruce!

And to everyone on the Top 10 list:

Also, congratulations and thank you to every one who took part in this challenge! It was such a pleasure to read, even if it was torture to judge (because, like I said, there was so much good material).

You can bet there will be a new poetic form challenge on the way.

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Publish your poetry with the assistance of the 2014 Poet's Market, jam-packed with listings of publishing opportunities, articles on the craft and business side of poeming, and so much more. Click to continue.

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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer's Digest Writing Community and specifically the editor of Poet's Market. A former Poet Laureate of the Blogosphere, he's also the author of Solving the World's Problems. A few places he'll be reading poetry this year, include AWP, Poetry Hickory, and a just announced National Feature spot with the Austin International Poetry Festival (in April). He's married to the poet Tammy Foster Brewer, who will be a special guest at AIPF and helps him keep track of their five little poets. Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.

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