Letters

Gloria T. Keraga, M.D.
via Internet

Poetry in Motion
Expand your verse!
So. You think you're a poet.
Now's your chance to prove it.

April, sometimes referred to as "the cruelest month," is also, by sheer coincidence, National Poetry Month, and we're celebrating by having the first ever Houston Press National Poetry Month Contest.

Enter and win a prize, to be announced, as well as publication in the Press. First-, second- and third-place winners will be spotlighted, as will other noteworthy poems received, if space allows. There is no entry fee.

Here are the rules:
There are no subject, topic or form restrictions for the poems. Rhyme, free verse, sonnet, sestina, haiku, we don't care. Just make it good. (Hint: Walt Whitman, good; Jewel, bad.)

Poems must be the sole property of the person entering them and must be previously unpublished; plagiarism is obviously prohibited.

Poems must be typed and double-spaced and can be no longer than two typed, double-spaced pages (approximately 400 words).

Each entrant may submit only one poem.
Deadline: 5 p.m. April 19.
Publication date: April 29.
Your poem will be judged by editors and staff writers at the Houston Press.
No poems will be returned; do not send us your only copy.

Send typewritten copy to: Poetry Contest, Houston Press, 1621 Milam, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77006, attn. Kirsten Bubier.

Include a cover sheet with your name, the title of your poem, and your address and telephone number for verification. Or e-mail it, along with all of the above information, to feedback@houstonpress.com with "Poetry Contest" in the subject header.

No phone calls, please.