DiBiase Poetry Contest Reading, June 14

This annual, international poetry contest is, in my opinion, the BEST in the world. It is organized by Albany’s own Bob Sharkey, & judged by him, his family, & selected poets, both locally & nationally. This year was the 10th anniversary of the contest. This reading of the winning poems & other entries was held at the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany, NY.

Bob Sharkey introduced the program, said that there were 383 submissions this year, from poets in 43 countries around the globe. Throughout the reading many of us praised the selection of poems & offered thanks to Bob & his family for this gift of world poetry. Early on the cash prizes had been provided by the family, but with some increased medical expenses this has not become possible. This year financial support has come from the Hudson Valley Writers Guild & from the generosity of individuals in our writing community.

Please note that one may find each of the poems mentioned below, as well as all the other winners, at the Stephen A. DiBiase Poetry Prize website.  

Barbara Ungar started the reading off with her poem “Knocked Back,” written for the poets lost in the last year, which won an Honorable Mention. 

Bob had asked me to read the First Place poem, “Where Language Ends,” by Carlos Andrés Gómez, of Atlanta, Georgia.

Susan Kress read her Honorable Mention poem, “Fire-Proof Box,” with both her husband & her daughter whom are mentioned in the poem in the audience.

“Orpheum” by Will Nixon was a poem inspired by a theater in Kingston, NY, & was a Finalist.
Julie Lomoe’s poem “River Reminiscing” is from her recently self-published collection, Proof of Process, & won an Honorable Mention.

Bob Sharkey read “In My Home-town There Are No Apples” by Chuckwuebuka Alu, from Nigeria, which was a Finalist.

Anna Boughtwood was listed on the program but was unable to attend; her poem “HELL IS FOR HOUSE FLIPPERS” was a Finalist.

Barbara Ungar was back to read the Second Place poem, “You Can’t Put the Red Sea in a Poem” by Joanne Durham.

Mary Panza read “this business of her being older” by Anne Rankin which received an Honorable Mention.

Bob Sharkey read “Traveler’s Guilt” by Melanie Hyo-In Han from the UK, which was a Finalist.

Barbara Ungar closed out the event by reading the Third Place poem “Because” by Alison Stone; Barbara pointed out that there is a recording on YouTube of Alison Stone reading her poem.

Be sure to check out the Stephen A. DiBiase Poetry Prize website for guidelines - you’ll be astonished at how simple they are - & for information on previous years’ winners, & for next year’s deadline.