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THE WINNERS OF THE WILLIAM STAFFORD AWARD FOR POETRY ARE...

For the first time ever, the first prize was shared! A judge’s reflections on the two winning poems:

I had difficulty making a clear decision between these two poems. Jiwon Choi's top heavy stanza, irregular line and giddy joy reminded me of the best screw ball comedies, and who would have ever expected an ending like "pressing halibut/to my hot flesh" in a love poem? It is one of the best, unbridled, delightful, and self aware lust poems I've read since "Lucky Shirt." "Korean Grocery" is like contemporary Robert Herrick. Christopher Buckley's "Poem on A Birthday" is a universe away from giddy, but has the accurate ruefulness of Richard Hugo, and shows great craft in employing the conversational lyric. I had a difficult choice to make, and so I decided not to make one. Both poems are fully deserving of the award. Both show the range and vitality of contemporary American poetry. I am glad Rosebud allowed me to not choose between them.

Joe Weil, co-judge (The other co-judge was John E. Smelcer)

The Two Winners: $500 each:

Christopher Buckley for his poem "Poem on a Birthday"

Jiwon Choi for her "Korean Grocery"

The Four Runner-ups: $100 each:

Annette Opalczynski for her "One Night in Brooklyn"

Jacinto Cardona for "I Walk Penniless"

Terry Godbey for her "The Dressmaker's Widower"

Gene Grabiner for his poem "Recess"

THE WINNING POEMS & ALL RUNNER-UPS WILL BE

ANNOUNCED AND PUBLISHED

IN ROSEBUD #54