The Word Works is a Washington D.C. area non-profit literary organization that publishes contemporary poetry. In 1981, the organization founded the Washington Prize, which awarded $1,000 for a single poem. In 1987, the group decided to change the award to $1,000 and book publication for the poet whose manuscript was selected. Today, the award is $1,500 and book publication.
Winners is a collection of poems from past recipients of the Washington Prize, and the people who labored behind-the-scenes as first-readers and judges. The collection devotes its first half to the former group, and the poetry featured is primarily free-style narrative, with some classic forms. Here's a sample from "A Diamond is Hard But Not Tough", by 1997's winner, Ann Rae Jonas:
Tough material bends
to absorb a force.
By the time one breaks,
the pieces forget
their original shape.
The bent nail, the key
jammed in the lock.
Poets out there should note that this book contains a preface by Hilary Tham, one of the editors, with advice on how to put together a "winning manuscript" -- advice that rings true whether you're entering a manuscript in a contest, or submitting it to an editor at a publishing house.
The second half of the book reads like a "who's who" of Washington D.C. area poets, and features works by: Karren LaLonde Alenier, author of four books and president of The Word Works; Patricia Gray, coordinator of the Library of Congress' Poetry at Noon series for the Office of Scholarly Programs; Brandon Johnson, founding member of Modern Urban Griots, a poetry and performance collective; Miles David Moore, organizer and host of the IOTA Poetry Reading Series; and Martha Sanchez-Lowery, poetry editor of the literary annual Minimus.
The following is from Brandon Johnson's "Red House":
he's at the door, easin his key into the lock
but things change when you ain't lookin.
a woman's perfume, the color of her hair.
key don't turn, him thinkin Lisa's gone,
him, confused as uncut hair.
Readers will admire the breadth of talent in Winners, as well as the dedication of The Word Works for its effort to publish poetry that is essential, and for giving worthy poets a chance for national exposure.
You can order this book via the Amazon link above, or through The Word Works' web site at www.wordworksdc.com.
