In “Musical Moment No. 2,” the speaker’s reality turns surreal as they face pressure and judgement under the spotlight: “The/ moment of impact is standing still/ because of you.” Musical Moment No. 2 A pull-chain lamp with green glass…
In “Quiver,” the speaker nurses and educates his son on the dangers of hot and cold; on the difference between patience and impulse.
In “with my prayer beads I pray for bad sushi,” the speaker contemplates the unshakeable impulse of longing: “the same space I seek poetry/ is where I also seek god. I’m not even/ sure what I’m praying for.” with…
The speaker in “Constellation” aims for the stars through an attempt at street graffiti. Flustered, the speaker elaborates on their transformation in the city: “I became smoke & stars & heart / all wonder and permanent pleiades.” Constellation I…
In “Hall, Montana Easter Weekend,” the speaker tackles the often manipulative legacy of religiosity, hoping to “bury my bitterness in the middle of the prairie.” Hall, Montana, Easter Weekend
In “Broken Abecedarian For America,” the speaker investigates the complex and often corrupt nature of American history and culture. Through experimentation with form, Kim shares her version of the Abecedarian poem, with a careful critique of the American Dream. …
In “To Pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test,” the speaker addresses the difficult dilemma women face in the publishing world: “Tell me it is not wrong/ to speak of a pulsing artery instead of tomorrow’s/ waxing at the salon or the man…
In “Daily, I Cat-call the Dead,” the speaker interrogates what it is like living as both “acceptable” and “Alien. All. At once.” Through a soulful song of life, the poet’s voice and authority can not be denied or unheard. …
In “Fly-infested Houseplant,” the speaker relates to a rotting houseplant after experiencing trauma; “don’t touch me,” they’re just wanting to be left alone, “ready/ to be knocked off the shelf.”
Thank you for joining us on the journey through the OPEN winners! You can find Chaun Ballard’s winning poem here, and Part 1 of the finalists here, and Part 2 of the finalists here. For Part 3, we’re sharing work by…
