Poetry contest winners announced, reading-ceremony set for May 17

By Deborah Rose

NEW MILFORD – A May 17 public poetry reading and ceremony will recognize and honor the winners of the third New Milford Poetry Contest.

The event, which will also include readings by New Milford Poet Laureate Deborah Rose, will be held at New Milford Public Library at 2 p.m.

“It will be wonderful to come together to celebrate the creativity and talent of our winners, and to recognize the art of poetry,” Rose said.

A total of 47 poems were submitted for the contest co-sponsored the Town of New Milford, the New Milford Commission on the Arts and New Milford Public Library. The deadline to enter was late April, which is National Poetry Month.

Entrants were invited to submit up to two poems, however, not every entrant did so. 

Rose said the majority of poems were from adults (ages 19-55) and seniors (ages 56+) but the submissions from youth and young adult ages 8 to 18 was impressive. 

“It is always good to see the next generation tap into their creative selves in the literary realm,” Rose said.

Winners are, in the youth category (ages 8-12), Claire Benson for “Looking Above the Wall” (first) and Ariella Di Laura for “The ‘Don’t Chop Me Down!’ Tree” (second). Honorable mention is awarded to Fulton Cole for “What is black?” and Cooper Wallenhaupt for “Oh, in such a dark hour.

In the young adult category (ages 13-18), winners are Riley Tierney for “Running on Empty (first) and Sabatino Di Laura for “Celestial” (second). Honorable mention is awarded to Kyra Chandler for “The Next Step,” Alyssa Amorando for “After a Night’s Rain,” and Riley Tierney for “Not Just a Phase – Teenage Love.”

Adult winners (ages 19-55) are Melissa Hanrahan for “Christmas in February” (first) and Denise Trach for “Clay” (second). Honorable mention is awarded to Melissa Hanrahan for “bloodletting” and Daniel August for “Three Trees.”

In the senior category winners are Rocco Russo for “Aqqua Doce” (first) and “Lobsters on Arthur Avenue” (second). 

Honorable mention in the same category is awarded to Mary Vallo for “9/11 Aftermath: Suburban September” and Anita Fabian for “The Roof.”

Winners have been invited to read the poem at the poetry reading May 17. In addition, the winning poems will be displayed at New Milford Public Library for the next few weeks.

A blind read of poems was conducted by Rose, Canterbury School English Department Chair Madelaine Lord, and New Milford Public Library Public Services Librarian Amy Berkun.

Poems were judged on poetic technique, effectiveness, style, and creativity.

“It was an honor to read this year’s entries,” Rose said. “Everyone has a voice and a style when it comes to poetry, and the variety of poems received illustrates that.”

Photo by Marc Vanasse