WINCHENDON — The Beals Memorial Library has announced the 2018 Beals Prize for Poetry finalists. In only its first year, the competition drew the attention of 23 poets who submitted 62 poems for consideration by a panel of three distinguished judges. On Friday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m., there will be a reading of the top 10 poems by eight finalists, two of whom had two poems selected. Directly after the readings, the judges will announce the prize winners. Prize money of $100 for first, $50 for second, and $25 for third will go to the contest’s best three poems.
The finalists are:
Sara Williams of Gardner for October Sunlight.
Sharon Harmon of Orange for First Cigarettes.
Laura Rodley of Shelburne Falls for Maybe.
Elaine Readon of Warwick for Her Grandmother Wishes.
Veronica L.D. of Ashburnham for Plumbeous.
Stephen Seraichick of Keene for Parts I through IV.
Susan Middleton of Ashfield for The Caretaker and Crossing Tidewater Basin After Visiting Mom in the Hospital.
Barbara Lemoine of Northfield for Instructions for Sleep and Keepsake in the Silverware Drawer.
The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant St. For more information, call 978-297-0300. Light refreshments will be served by the Friends of the Beals Library.