Poetry Society of Tennessee

EST. 1953

PST News

  • PST Kicks Off 2023-2024 Members-only Contests

    Our 2023-2024 contests begin this year with an unusual contest from Russell Strauss, which includes an opportunity to submit two poems for consideration, along with a critique of each poem a member submits. The contest is a follow-up to his May program which explored the forms.

    Submit a pantoum, a Dorsimbra, or one of each. One prize winner will be selected for each form. The pantoum is an ancient Malaysian form from the 15th century and the Dorsimbra was created by three talented past PST members far more recently: Frieda Dorris, Robert Simonton, and Eve Braden.

    More Contests

    Get details on forthcoming contests as they develop at our website contest page.

    Contest Sponsorships Available

    PST has openings for sponsorship of members-only this program year. It’s a valuable service to PST. You may judge the contest or select a judge. To sponsor a contest, complete this form and send it to Russell Strauss. Send a check with prize money to our Treasurer. Details are on the form.

  • Reflections of Gratitude

    As we near the close of National Poetry Month and our 2022-2023 PST program year, I’m filled with gratitude for the state of poetry, for the health of PST, and for the many volunteers who brought poetry to life for people of all ages across Tennessee and beyond.

    This month we announced results from PST’s annual contest for high school, middle school, and elementary students. The northeast region completed a collegiate contest in collaboration with East Tennessee State University. We held a fabulous poetry festival—our 66th such event!  Outside of PST, in Tennessee and across the country, multiple events honored poetry every week. And, while AI bots may have started penning poetry, I believe it’s still a very human endeavor at its heart.

    April brings us both a happy end and a bright beginning: as PST continues long-standing traditions, we will also build upon our regional efforts, celebrate our 70th anniversary, and offer some modern conveniences (like digital payments!).

    If you follow our Facebook page, you may have noticed our posts usually include this hopeful hashtag: #poetryisalive. I remain hopeful about the status of poetry globally and for the continuity and strength of Poetry Society of Tennessee. This time last year, we grappled with the society’s very existence—but with strong Board leadership, committed volunteers, and members willing to suit up and settle in for a potentially wild ride, our organization has proven resilient. 

    As I now work with co-Presidents Bill Hill and Calvin Ross to transition into their role, I am grateful they were willing to provide their leadership. They, along with my fellow Board members quickly and ably navigated a precarious situation and, I believe, effectively steered us into a more stable one. We stand now, poised to build upon both old and new aspects of our society.

    Our programs extend beyond member benefits: they fulfill our greater purpose to promote poetry and build a community of (current and future) poets. Our programs happen when people commit and bring them to life. I offer heartfelt thanks to fellow Board members, to committee chairs and program coordinators, to committee members, to contest sponsors and judges, to contest entrants and call-for-submission respondents, to program presenters and meeting attendees, to members who shared news of their achievements and poetry activities in their regions, to all who shared their poetry with us … and to friends of PST who shared poetry-related happenings and partnered with us in some way.

    In this spirit of gratitude, May’s program will include a brief ceremony to recognize and honor our volunteers in addition to our usual programming. We have so much to be grateful for about this passing year and so much to look forward to in the year ahead, so let us end one and  begin the next with a thank you.

    With gratitude,
Lisa Kamolnick
PST President-Elect

     

     

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  • Join us for 2023-2024

    If you’re already a member, you know about the opportunities Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) offers. When you choose to join PST, you discover how we help poets develop and practice their craft, from page to stage. Our hands-on approach includes educational programs, critique sessions, regional gatherings, readings, contests and festivals. Through these activities, PST strives to create a vibrant community for poets and poetry lovers and help poets pursue excellence here in Tennessee and beyond. Learn more.

    If you’re 18 or older, you’re welcome. High school students can join with a student membership, too! Learn more about PST membership. When you join PST, you also become a member of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies.

    Renew or join soon to experience all PST has to offer during its 70th year: the upcoming program year runs May 2023 – April 2024. Ready to join or renew? Use this form.

    Got questions? Contact us using our website contact form or by emailing poetrytennessee@gmail.com.

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  • Regional Connections Committee Gears Up for 2023-2024

    In the past program year, Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) formed the Regional Connections Committee to help connect poets in local regions. Members from each region participate on the committee to serve and represent their region. This year starts with representatives from Knoxville, Memphis, and Northeast Tennessee, with plans to expand representation.

    2023-2024 RCC Members

    Patricia Hope, Chair, Knoxville Rep
    Ruby Jones,
    Memphis Rep
    Fred Tudiver, Northeast TN Rep

    Leaders Assure Continuity

    Last year’s committee members signed up for a second year to continue the efforts begun last year, with Patricia Hope taking the Chair role as Jerry Buchanan rolls off the committee. Patricia also serves as a PST Board Director this year.

    The committee met monthly during the past program year and will determine a meeting schedule for the coming year. Learn more about the committee and their activities in 2022-2023.

    About the RCC

    The RCC identifies and develops initiatives to meet the needs of PST membership in various regions of the state. Their goals are to:

    1. facilitate independent regional development and growth according to each region’s strengths and interests
    2. promote a regular exchange of communications and information between PST Regional Representatives and PST Leadership regarding regional planning efforts
    3. coordinate plans for a yearly PST regional budget allotment to address regional development and membership growth
    4. encourage regions across the state to share ideas and support each other as they discover opportunities and develop programs and initiatives
    5. provide support to regional representatives as they work to promote their region’s growth and increase PST membership

    Get in Touch

    RCC representatives would love to hear from PST members to identify important areas of growth for the future. Email your ideas to poetrytennessee@gmail.com with the subject line REGIONAL CONNECTIONS, and your message will be forwarded to the appropriate committee member.

    If you’d like to become involved or have interest in developing a new regional connection as a regional representative, please reach out via poetrytennessee@gmail.com with the SUBJECT line NEW RCC REGION.

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  • 66th Annual Festival Explores the Poet’s Life and Features Winning Poems

    On April 15, attendees from across Tennessee and beyond came together on Zoom for PST’s 66th Annual Poetry Festival. Attendees enjoyed an exploration of the poet’s life and a reading of winning poems to be featured in an upcoming edition of Tennessee Voices, PST’s annual anthology.

    Workshop

    Following opening remarks by Festival Coordinator Howard Carman, Rick Hilles, Associate Professor of English at Vanderbilt University, presented
    “A Writer’s Life: Getting Started, Keeping Going, Getting Started Again.”

    The program explored poetry, the unique challenges of writing poetry, and methods to keep at the writing process. Several writing prompts helped poets generate new ideas for future poems.

    Poetry Reading

    Following a brief intermission, a group of poets read their poems selected for inclusion in Tennessee Voices, 2022-2023. Readers included poems accepted from the Tennessee Voices call for submissions and monthly member contest 1st prize winners (see full list of winners here).

    Call for Submission Top 3 Prizes

    Prior to the festival, Tennessee Voices editorial board members Connie Jordan Green, Lacy Snapp and Maria Zoccola presented a short list of accepted poems, and Rick Hilles chose the top three:

    1. Carson Colenbaugh ($150), for “At the Powerline, Picking Blackberries”
    2. Jake Lawson ($100) for  “Sky Master”
    3. Rieppe Moore ($50) for “Lines on Snow”

    ETSU Contest Winners

    PST also announced the first place ETSU contest winner during the festival, Emily Wilson, for “après moi, le déluge”. Get the full winner’s list here.

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  • PST Announces 2022 Student Contest Results

    Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) is pleased to announce the winners of our 2022 student contests.

    About the Contest

    The contest divisions were as follows:

    High School Division (Grades 9-12) Free Verse Poem
    ​Middle School Division (Grades 6-8) Free Verse Poem
    Elementary Division (Grades 2-5) Any Poem Form

    The competition was open all Tennessee students in grades 2-12 (public, private, and home school students and to PST student members from any state. Student submitted a single poem for consideration.

    Contest awards for each division are as follows:  1st place $25, 2nd $20, 3rd $15, 4th $10, and 5th $5. In addition, top winning poems will be published in a forthcoming edition of PST’s anthology, Tennessee Voices.

    High School Division Results

    Prizes

    1. “The Story of Us” by Angelene Sta. Cruz, Concord Academy, Memphis
    2. “elegy for the orange market” by Addyson Owens, West Ridge High, Blountville
    3. “[come up with a better title later]” by Kate Rutherford, Houston County High, Erin
    4. “ROYGBIV” by Sammy Smith, West Ridge High, Blountville 
    5. “Let Me Tell You Why I Seem Optimistic, But Really, I Am Uneasy” by Angela Jefferson, Cascade High, Bell Buckle

    Honorable Mentions

    • “Thank You” by Keri Cochran, West Ridge High, Blountville
    • “Beauty in Command” by Tanner Gross, West Ridge High, Blountville
    • “Decaying Beauty” by Kaelyn Kelly, Houston County High, Erin
    • “Stop Stargazing” by Kensley Boone, Houston County High, Erin
    • “Skywatcher” by Carolina Richardson, Houston County High, Erin
    • “Once, I Climbed a Tree” by Heidi Laramy, Madison Academic High, Jackson 
    • “The Fight” by Mia Campochiaro, Concord Academy, Memphis
    • “eulogy from the dead” by Frankie Bond, Houston County High, Erin
    • ”Beneath the Faerie Circle” by Riley Rutherford, Houston County High, Erin

    Many thanks to poet, author, and educator Connie Jordan Green, who served as judge for this division.

    Middle School Division Results

    Prizes

    1. “Where I’m From” by Quinn Alderman, Holy Trinity Montessori, Nashville
    2. “Theseus and Aegeus” by Harrison Nickele, Woodland Presbyterian School, Memphis
    3. “They See” by Loara Coleman, Ivy Academy, Soddy Daisy 
    4. “What Fall Means to Me” by Emmaline Strong, Saint Henry School, Nashville 
    5. (tie) “Thanksgiving” by Hayes Dombroski, Woodland Presbyterian School, Memphis, and “Summer on Glass Lake” by Jack Moran, Holy Trinity Montessori, Nashville

    Honorable Mentions

    • “Freefall” by Libby Link, Woodland Presbyterian School, Memphis
    • “Fall” by Marin Colley, Saint Henry School, Nashville
    • “Jellyfish” by Ilyssa Tilley, Ocoee Middle School, Cleveland
    • “My Crystal Light” by Sarah Burton, Saint Henry Middle School, Nashville
    • “The Ironic Poem” by Zac Sayer, Woodland Presbyterian School, Memphis
    • “Sick” by Isabella McAuley, Saint Henry School, Nashville
    • “Cold Winter” by Trenton Brumfield, Ivy Academy, Soddy Daisy
    • “Birds Will Remain” by Oneira Caviness, White Station Middle School, Memphis
    • “The Art of Lying” by Abby Albonetti, Woodland Presbyterian School, Memphis
    • “Xena” by Gracie Lirette, Woodland Presbyterian School, Memphis

    Many thanks to poet, author and educator Heather Hoover, who served as judge for this division.

    Elementary Division Results


    Prizes

    1. “Dear Poem” by Nickie Downey, Holy Trinity Montessori, Nashville
    2. “The World” by Braelynn Taylor, Bradford Elementary, Bradford
    3. “Beach” by Morgan Cushing, Columbia Academy, Columbia
    4. “Hermosa Mariposa / Beautiful Butterfly” by Mary Karis Parrman, St. Peter’s Episcopal, Chattanooga
    5. “La Naturaleza / Nature” by Kylee Kemmet, St. Peter’s Episcopal, Chattanooga

    Honorable Mentions

    • “Peluches” by Sara Garcia, St. Peter’s Episcopal School, Chattanooga
    • “Honguito / Mushrooms” by Isla Phillips, St. Peter’s Episcopal School, Chattanooga 
    • “A Savannah Afternoon” by Kylee Huskey, Covenant Academy, McMinnville
    • “Stick with Me” by Duke Sims, Prospect Elementary, Cleveland
    • “Sunrise Haiku” by Cora Belle Pulley, Columbia Academy, Columbia
    • “Calendars” by Chloe Zebell, Holy Trinity Montessori, Nashville
    • “I Miss You” by Tucker Winfield, Holy Trinity Montessori, Nashville
    • “The Pesky Fly” by Adelyn Bradford, Bradford Elementary, Bradford
    • “Long Walk to God” by Olivia Ford, Briarcrest Christian, Eads
    • “As the Seasons Fade” by Ellee Griffin, Briarcrest Christian, Eads
    • “One Shot” by John Garcia, Briarcrest Christian, Eads
    • “Seasons” by Jeffrey G. Dean, Briarcrest Christian, Eads
    • “Seasons Fleeting” by L. J. Longo, Briarcrest Christian, Eads

    Many thanks to poet, author and educator Isabel Sobrino Gómez, who served as judge for this division.

    PST Student Membership

    Know a high school aged student interested in poetry? Give the gift of membership in Poetry Society of Tennessee! At just $10 a year, it’s an incredible value. Get membership information.

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  • PST Seeks Sponsors for 2023-2024

    Members, poets and poetry lovers: as our 2023-2024 program year begins, we are seeking sponsors for our monthly members-only poetry contests. If you are interested in supporting our organization and promoting poetry in Tennessee and beyond, this is a great opportunity.

    We currently have eight contest sponsorship openings. Get contest details here. Get sponsorship form here.

    Got questions? Reach out to poetrytennessee@gmail.com with subject line SPONSORSHIP.

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  • PST Announces ETSU Contest Results

    This spring, the Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) held a contest for East Tennessee State University creative writing students as part of a regional outreach initiative. The society’s northeast Tennessee regional representative, Fred Tudiver, coordinated the event. The contest served to introduce students to PST, to recognize their work, and to provide an opportunity to perform in a public venue.

    Winners will receive cash prizes and have an opportunity to read their poetry at an upcoming event. PST is grateful to all of the contest entrants for their participation. Many thanks also to author Shuly Xóchitl Cawood, who served as contest judge.

    PST is pleased to recognize the following poets and their poems:

    • 1st: Emily Wilson for “après moi, le deluge”
    • 2nd: Emma Sheedlo for “Shrine for a Sister”
    • 3rd: TaKya Hughes for “riding four-wheelers in north Carolina”
    • HM: Samantha Matney for “American Teenager”

    In addition to a cash prize, the 1st place winner will have their poem published in a future edition of PST’s anthology,Tennessee Voices. They have also been invited to read their poem at PST’s 66th Annual Poetry Festival.

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  • 2023-2024 Leadership

    In its March meeting, Poetry Society of Tennessee members ratified Board nominations for the 2023-2024 membership year. The new membership year takes effect on May 1, 2023, and runs through April 30, 2024.

    Members interested in joining a committee may contact PST at poetrytennessee@gmail.com. In addition to the open committee positions, PST is also looking for someone interested in a future Treasurer role as well as additional Regional Connections representatives in regions currently lacking representation.

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    • Lisa Kamolnick, President
    • Howard Carman, Treasurer/Membership Chair
    • Erika Perez, Secretary
    • Patricia Hope, Director
    • Russell Strauss, Director

    COMMITTEES

    Anthology Editorial Board

    • Howard Carman, Chair
    • Janet Qually
    • Lacy Snapp
    • Connie Green
    • Maria Zoccola

    Communications

    • Matthew Gilbert, Chair
    • Michael Ramey, Web Master
    • Lisa Kamolnick, Publicity

    Regional Connections

    • Patricia Hope, Chair (Knoxville)
    • Ruby Jones (Memphis)
    • Fred Tudiver (Northeast TN)

    Contests

    • Russell Strauss, Monthly Member Contest Chair
    • Seth Grindstaff, Student Contest Chair
    • TBD, Festival Contest Chair

    Festival (67th Annual)

    • TBD, Festival Coordinator

    70th Anniversary

    • TBD, Event Coordinator
    • TBD, Historian

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  • April 2023 Poetry Contest Results

    The Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) members-only April 2023 contest results are in! Winners receive cash prizes. The first place poem will be published in an upcoming edition of PST’s anthology, Tennessee Voices.

    Sponsor and judge Janet Qually selected the following winner and honorable mentions:

    • 1st: “What Is Really Here” by Russell H. Strauss
    • 1HM: “Digital Genesis” by Howard Carman
    • 2HM “Serenity” by Claire Webb
    • 3HM: “Impressions” by Connie Jordan Green

    Winning ekphrastic poems will be read at the May member meeting to be held May 13.

    Enter Your Poem

    Stay tuned for our next season of members-only contests, and be sure to enter for your chance to win prizes and have your work published. Get details. Renew or join PST to participate in these exclusive contests. Learn more.

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