Yuma poetry contest seeks winning words
It's time to weave some pretty words, Yuma.
A local poetry contest is kicking of its second annual literary competition with a call for prose. The deadline to enter is April 10, with the big event slated for April 30.
The contest, held in April to celebrate National Poetry Month, is sponsored by Arizona Western College and the Yuma Art Center.
Last year's contest drew 100 entries, and organizers say they'd love to see more this year.
"I'd love to even double the number of entries," said Porchia Moore, head of AWC's creative writing program. "We are just looking forward to people sending in whatever they want, whether it's poetry or haiku."
The poetry contest was created last year by AWC, the art center and 33.10, a publication of The Sun.
"I just wanted to find a way to develop an actual writing community, to discover where the writers are in Yuma," Moore said. "I also thought it would be a great way to have a connection between AWC and the larger community."
Organizers were pleased with the response they received, too.
"We really realized how much people have to say and how much people really need poetry," Moore said. "We had everyone from young elementary students to seasoned snowbirds participate. I think people just want to have that space to really share their ideas.
"Last year we received letters from people saying, 'I don't want this published. I just want someone to read my poem.' They had something traumatic happen to them and they just wanted to share."
Like last year, judges will choose the top poems, which the authors will present during a public reading at the Yuma Art Center. That event will be 6 to 9 p.m. April 30. The public is invited to hear the readings, plus share their own words during an open-mike portion of the event.
In addition to readings and prizes being awarded, Moore said, she would like to include the top 25-30 poems in a "chat book," which would be sold at the Yuma Art Center.
Nationally known poets Christopher Lane and Myrlin Hepworth are traveling to Yuma that night and will perform at the event.
Submissions for the contest can be sent to AWCpoetrycontest@ gmail.com. All submissions should include "poetry submission" in the subject line.
For more information, Moore can be reached at 344-7687 or at porchia. moore@azwestern.edu.
