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2017 Poetry Slam
Tenth Annual Poetry “Slam” Results
What could a retired truck mechanic, an 11th grade student, a self-proclaimed former hobo, a smart young writer in a wheel chair and a university professor possibly have in
common?
Poetry of course! These very different writers along with others came together Thursday, April 20 at the David A. Howe Library in Wellsville to vie for cash prizes and to share their love of poetry and verse and music.
The Allegany Arts Association has sponsored a “Poetry Contest/Slam” for the past ten years. Each gathering brings many poets with diverse backgrounds and varied writing styles, but 2017 was unusual. The assembled poets could not have been more
different from each other.
For the sixth time, Alfred poet Adam Gayhart was a prize winner. This year Adam garnered the first prize of $50 with his very personal, natural, warm and expressive poetry. Adam is looking forward to publishing another poetry chapbook in the near future.
Second prize of $25 was won by Jasmine Schumacher, a repeat winner over the
past four years. Jasmine, a consistently good writer, is now in Grade 11 at Hornell High School.
Newcomer and Alfred University Professor Craig Prophet jumped right in to earn third prize with his pictorial poems about life, and clouds and reunions. Second-timer Daniel Fox captured the audience with his upbeat, almost “rapper-like” commentary on current events (and our reactions) and seeing the world, earning the Honorable Mention award.
A total of seven poets enjoyed sharing their wildly different takes on the world, and eventually sharing publishing and poetry insider ideas with each other. Chris Clow,
Chuck Wiser and Donald Neal rounded out the unusual mix of writers. Chuck even
brought a tape of his poetry set to beautiful music by local music teacher David Dunbar to share with the group.
All poetic efforts were appreciated and rewarded with sincere applause by the audience.
Any and all poets are invited to prepare for the Eleventh Annual Poetry Slam to be held the third Thursday of April, 2018.
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