Cathedral of the Pines and Monadnock Writers’ Group are jointly sponsoring the Poetry in the Pines writing contest.
The contest is open to everyone, and submissions of previously unpublished poetry will be accepted through April 7. Guest judge Henry Walters will select three winning poems that will be displayed on trails at Cathedral of the Pines, 10 Hale Hill Road in Rindge. A reading and award ceremony is planned for May 6 at Cathedral of the Pines.
The theme for the annual contest is “Nature in New England.” Poets may submit up to three poems that are no longer than eight lines each to monadnockwriters@gmail.com. If poems are submitted as an attachment, the poet’s name should be visible on the document.
Walters is writer-in-residence at the Dublin School. His work has been published in journals such as “The Threepenny Review,” “The Yale Review” and “Orion.” Walters’s poetry collection, “Field Guide A Tempo,” was a finalist for the Kate Tufts Discovery Award. His most recent collection, “The Nature Thief,” was released in 2022.
Poetry in the Pines began in 2018 to bring together the Monadnock region’s natural beauty and creative traditions. Since 1945, Cathedral of the Pines has honored the service of American men and women. Its open-air cathedral and historic monument located in Rindge are open to the public as a place of spiritual, cultural, and environmental appreciation.
Beginning in 1984, Monadnock Writers’ Group (MWG) has supported local writers of all genres and levels of achievement. Monthly meetings, held on the third Saturday of each month, bring a variety of writers to the Monadnock region to offer their experiences. In addition, MWG publishes periodic anthologies and “Smoky Quartz,” a semi-annual online journal of literature and art.
Throughout the year, MWG hosts public readings and informal gatherings to raise awareness of the literary talent in the Monadnock region. Learn more at monadnockwriters.org and smokyquartz.org. For information about Poetry in the Pines or other Monadnock Writers’ Group activities, send email to monadnockwriters@gmail.com.