The Rural Oklahoma Museum of Poetry wants to thank everyone who entered this contest on the theme of racial justice. The poems we received explored and illustrated racism and racial justice or injustice in diverse and impactful ways. You can read the winning poems below and also see a video with lines from the poems at the YouTube link below.
THANK YOU to everyone who entered this contest. The theme is important, and your poetry emphasized that. Poetry is the news that stays news. Keep writing.
This contest received 78 entries. The winners are as follows:
Professional Category
1st: Dawn Karima, Cherokee NC
2nd: Ruth Weinstein, Marshall AR
3rd: Darrel Dionne, Norman OK
18 & Over Category
1st: Brittanei Wayne, Kansas City MO
2nd (TIE): Bill Guthrie, Locust Grove OK
2nd (TIE): Jen Wilson, Madison WI
3rd: Regina Philpott McLemore, Stilwell OK
Under 18 Category
1st: Jamie Smith, Chicago IL
2nd: Ivy Scott, Locust Grove OK
3rd: Alexis Copeland, Locust Grove OK
You can download and read the winning poems by clicking on this line.
You can watch THIS VIDEO to see selected excerpts from each of the winning poems.
1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place Cash Prizes in Three Categories!
1st Place: $100 2nd Place: $50 3rd Place: $25
- Under 18
- 18 and over
- Professional (poems have been published in journals or books)
Evaluation Criteria:
- Theme developed in a creative, powerful and skillful way
- Poetic techniques used with skill and impact
- Sensory imagery that develops the theme in a lyrical, meaningful way
Guidelines:
- Anyone anywhere can enter.
- One entry per person.
- Poems must be submitted either online using the form below or through the mail with the pdf entry form found below.
- Poems must be original to the poet and available for posting on the ROMP website.
- Maximum line length = 30 lines
- Poems can be rhymed or unrhymed.
Rural Oklahoma Museum of Poetry 