An asterisk (*) designates the only contests open to
Associate Members and Non-Members.
1. The Therese Lindsey Award -- $450.00
Offered by the Poetry Society of Texas for the best poem on any subject. Any form. 50 line limit.
[Entry fee is $5.00 per poem. No limit on number of poems per contestant.]
2. * The Mahan Award -- $400.00
Offered by Budd Powell Mahan of Dallas, in memory of his parents, Jimmie D. and Maurine Powell Mahan, for the best poem of not more than 50 lines on any subject, in any form.
3. The Poetry Society of Texas Award -- $250.00
Offered by Pat and Don Stodghill of Dallas, for the best poem of not more than 28 lines. Entries may be on any subject and in any poetic form.
4. * The “Poetry in the Arts” Award -- $200.00
Offered by the Founder of Poetry in the Arts, Inc., Peggy Zuleika Lynch of San Antonio, in honor of the first Executive Director, James L. Johnson, for the best poem that celebrates new beginnings. Any form. 50 line limit.
5. * The Mildred Vorpahl Baass & Nancy Baass Award -- $150.00
Offered by mother and daughter, Mildred Vorpahl Baass and Nancy Baass of Victoria, for the best poem on the subject: “You and me against the world.” Any form. 50 lines or less.
6. The Monica Elliott Murphy Remembrance Award -- $130.00
Offered by Robert L. and Shirley Elliott Cosby of Emory and Traci and Steve Nelson of Fort Worth, in loving memory of a beloved daughter and sister, for the best poem on any subject, in any form. 42 lines or less.
7. * The Puissant Pen Award -- $125.00
Offered by Dr. Robert G. Duchouquette of Dallas, in memory of Henry J. Duchouquette and Daniel G. Rose, for the best Haibun on any subject, limited to 50 lines. (See Wm. Higginson’s Haiku Handbook, Chapter 14 on Haiku Prose.)
8. The Old South Prize -- $100.00
Offered by Freeda Murphy of Dallas, in memory of Jack E. Murphy, for the best poem of not more than 50 lines. Entries are not restricted as to subject matter or form.
9. The President’s Award -- $100.00
Offered by PST President Jeannette L. Strother of Mansfield, in honor of all former Presidents of the Poetry Society of Texas, for the best poem of 36 lines or less. Any subject. Any form.
10. The Abbie Frank Smith Memorial Award -- $100.00
Established by Elizabeth Warham Brewster of Houston in her Last Will, in memory of her sister, for the best poem on the theme: “The Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution.” Any form. 50 line limit. (Perpetual Award)
11. The Eloise Roach - Frances Massie Lyric Prize -- $100.00
Established by Eloise Roach of Austin in her Last Will, for the best lyric poem. 20 line limit. (Perpetual Award)
12. The Montgomery Award -- $100.00
Established in the Will of Estelle Stewart, in memory of Vaida Stewart Montgomery and her husband, Whitney M. Montgomery, and their daughters, Thelma Evelyn Boyd and Genevieve Boyd Stewart, for the best poem in any form, not to exceed 42 lines. (Perpetual Award)
13. The Margueritte Tandy Duemke Memorial Award -- $100.00
Offered by DeLoris D. Whitney of Fort Worth, in loving memory of her mother, for the best poem on any subject. Any form. 36 line limit.
14. * The Grayson / Logan / Daisy Prize -- $100.00
Offered by Budd Powell Mahan of Dallas, for his animal companions, for the best poem of 50 lines or fewer, that includes or is about an animal. Any form.
15. The Ruth E. Reuther Memorial Award -- $100.00
Offered by Alma Grace Richardson of Wichita Falls, in loving memory of her mother, Ruth E. Reuther, for the best poem on the subject: Vision or Beauty of Texas. Any form. 50 line limit.
16. * The Tao Te Ching Award -- $100.00
Offered by Kay Merkel Boruff of Dallas, in memory of her husband, Jon Christian Merkel, killed in Laos in 1970, flying for Air America, for the best poem on the subject: Asia. Any form. 50 line limit.
17. The Preservation Award -- $100.00
Offered by Evelyn Corry Appelbee of Henderson, for the best Free Verse or Blank Verse poem of no more than 30 lines, on any subject, written in the precise and correct beauty, purity and versatility offered the writer in our exceptional English Language.
18. * The NFSPS President Award -- $100.00
Offered by Nancy Baass of Victoria, during the first year of her 2-year term, 2008-2010, as President of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Inc., for the best poem on any subject. Any form. 32 lines or less.
19. * The Ahmad Shamloo Poetry Award -- $100.00
Offered by Mo and Brigitte Saidi of San Antonio, in honor of Persian poets, for the best Free Verse poem up to 28 lines, referenced to or on the subject of poetry and freedom of speech.
20. * The Voices de la Luna Award -- $100.00
Offered by Jim Brandenburg and Mo H. Saidi of San Antonio, to highlight their poetry and arts quarterly digital and hard copy magazine, for the best Free Verse poem up to 28 lines on the subject of healing and love.
21. The Scott Carle Memorial Award -- $100.00
Offered by Barbara Carle of Friendswood, in memory of her son, for the best poem about the loss of a family member. Any form. 50 line limit.
22. * The Other Point of View Award -- $99.95 Offered by Coke Brown, Jr. of River Oaks, in loving memory of his parents, Coke Brown, Sr. and Linda Allen Brown, for the best poem in any non-rhyming form on the subject: An Important Disagreement. (Neither the subject wording nor the contest name may be used as the title of the poem.) 36 line limit.
23. * The Oscar A. Fasel Memorial Award -- $75.00
Offered by Ida Fasel of Denver, Colorado, in memory of her husband, for the best poem in Free Verse or Blank Verse. Any subject. 28 line limit. (Perpetual Award)
24. The Mary Elizabeth Martin Memorial Award -- $75.00
Offered by Valerie Martin Bailey and Sharon Martin Turner of San Antonio, in memory of their mother, for the best poem on the subject of flowers as related to human emotion. Any form. 28 line limit.
25. The David Park Martin Memorial Award -- $75.00
Offered by Sharon Martin Turner and Valerie Martin Bailey of San Antonio, in memory of their father, a prominent building contractor, for the best poem on the subject of building and construction. Any form. 28 line limit.
26. The Hugh C. Bailey Memorial Award -- $75.00
Offered by Valerie Martin Bailey of San Antonio, in memory of her beloved husband, a San Antonio firefighter for 32 years, for the best poem on the subject of heroism, especially as it might relate to firefighters, police officers, military personnel, etc. Any form. 32 line limit.
27. The Harvey Jordan Turner Memorial Award -- $75.00
Offered by Sharon Martin Turner of San Antonio, in memory of her husband, for the best poem on Texas ranching or the life of a Texas rancher. Any form. 28 line limit.
28. The Kay Ellison Memorial Award -- $75.00
Offered by her children, in loving memory of Kay Ellison, for the best humorous poem about parenting. Any form. 36 line limit.
29. The Inspired Path Award -- $75.00
Offered by Amy Sandberg of Mesquite, for the best poem that conveys the theme of taking the road less travelled by, the influence of the journey on you or those you love. Any form, except Free Verse. 24 line limit.
30. The Hi-Plains Chapter Award -- $75.00
Offered by the Hi-Plains Chapter of PST for the best poem on any subject, in any form. 36 line limit.
31. * The Bob Holcomb Memorial Award -- $55.00
Offered by J. Paul Holcomb of Double Oak, in memory of his brother, Bob, for the best poem in any form. Any subject. 36 line limit.
32. * The Sue Cole Memorial Award -- $55.00
Offered by J. Paul Holcomb of Double Oak, in memory of his sister, Sue, for the best poem about environmental awareness. Any form. 36 line limit.
33. * The Nettie Tobey Wood Memorial Award -- $50.00
Offered by Anne McCrady of Henderson, in honor of her family legacy of poetry, for the best Free Verse poem up to 36 lines using Nature metaphors.
34. The David Atamian Memorial Award -- $50.00
Offered by the late David Atamian of Arlington, Virginia, in memory of his parents, Manoog and Turfanda Atamian, who lost their lives in 1915 during the Armenian massacres in Turkey, for the best poem of not more than 36 lines on world citizenship. Any form. (Perpetual Award)
35. The Corry - Appelbee Award -- $50.00
Offered by Evelyn Corry Appelbee of Henderson, honoring those Poetry Mentors who are unable to be with us except in spirit, those who have helped bring PST into the 21st century, for the best poem on any subject, in any form. 36 lines or less.
36. The Stone River Press Award -- $50.00
Offered by Jackie Pelham of Houston, for the best poem about any Mythological person, place or thing. Any form. 32 line limit.
37. * The Sisters Prize -- $50.00
Offered by Budd Powell Mahan of Dallas, and dedicated to his sisters, Jo, Rita and Jimmie, for the best poem on any subject, in any form. 36 line limit.
38. * The Ricker - Strong Memorial Award -- $50.00
Offered by Clay and Sharon Strong Tatom of Tucson, Arizona, in memory of Sharon’s mother, Julia Hurd Strong, her grandmother, Julia H. Ricker, and her aunt, Vivian Ricker, for the best Shakespearean Sonnet. Any subject.
39. The Von S. Bourland Prize -- $50.00
Offered by Budd Powell Mahan of Dallas, for the best poem of 24 lines or fewer on any subject, in any form. [Poets entering agree that the contest will be named for them and that they will act as judge in 2010 should they win 1st Place in 2009.]
40. * The Holcombe Award -- $50.00
Offered by Jeri Holcombe Ragan of Lenexa, Kansas, to honor her parents, Tom and Frances Holcombe, who taught love and stewardship through their own examples, for the best humorous poem on any subject, in any form. 36 line limit.
41. * The Acadian Award -- $50.00
Offered by Jeanne Couvillon-Powell and Doris K. Ferguson of Houston, for the best imaginative, insightful Free Verse poem on any subject. 36 line limit.
42. * The Mindful of Miracles Award -- $50.00
Offered by Arthur France of Fort Worth, in memory of his mother, Martha Freeman France, for the best poem of 30 lines or less, on any subject, in any form.
43. The J.R. Reuther Memorial Award -- $50.00
Offered by Alma Grace Richardson of Wichita Falls, in memory of her father, Dr. J. R. Reuther, for the best poem on the subject: Finding Art in Ordinary Things. Any form. 36 line limit.
44. The Inez Grimes Award -- $50.00
Offered by Inez Grimes of McKinney, in honor of her four children, for the best poem about family, especially children, of any age. Any form. 25 lines or less.
45. * The Frances Ramsay Holcombe Award -- $50.00
Offered by Jeri Holcombe Ragan of Lenexa, Kansas, to honor her mother for making her place in the world one of possibilities for others, for the best poem in any form, on pursuing your dream. 36 line limit.
46. * The Julia Hurd Strong Memorial Award -- $50.00
Offered by Sharon Strong Tatom of Tucson, Arizona, in memory of her mother, Julia Hurd Strong, who loved the challenge of writing fixed-form poetry, for the best Rondel, Rondeau, Roundel or Villanelle, on any subject.
47. The Dramatic Monologue Award -- $50.00
Offered by Roberta Pipes Bowman of Haltom City, for the best poem in which one person reveals himself/herself, usually to a second person. 36 line limit.
48. The Banks - Chapman “Two Peas in a Pod” Award -- $50.00
Offered by Lois V. Chapman of Denton, to honor Linda Banks for her creativity, dedication to and leadership of PST, for the best humorous poem on any subject, in any form. 28 line limit.
49. The Veterans Award -- $50.00
Offered by Roberta Pipes Bowman of Haltom City, for the best poem in any form, honoring those who have served our country from WWI to the present. 36 line limit.
50. * The Sandia Writers Prize -- $50.00
Offered by the Sandia Writers Group of Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the best poem on the subject: Doubt. Any form. 20 line limit.
51. * The InspiritryTM Award -- $50.00
Offered by Anne McCrady of Henderson, for the best Free Verse poem that “rekindles the spirit.” 36 line limit.
52. * Silha-Kahler Award -- $50.00
Offered by Barbara Silha Pent and Peggy Silha Ritzer of Sherman, in honor of their parents, George and Selma Kahler Silha, and their grandparents, Mary Tintera Silha, and Edwin and Clara Brown Kahler, for the best poem on any subject, written in Cinquain form or Cinquain variations: “Cinkus,” multiple Cinquains, a Reverse Cinquain, combined Regular and Reverse Cinquains.
53. * The Lamrouex Prize -- $50.00
Offered by Valerie Martin Bailey of San Antonio, to honor Michaud L. Lamrouex for his kindness, assistance and faithful friendship, for the best poem on the subject of mountains of the desert southwest. Any form. 32 line limit.
54. * The Sharon Martin Turner Prize -- $50.00
Offered by Valerie Martin Bailey of San Antonio, to honor her wonderfully talented sister, Sharon Martin Turner, for the best poem on the subject of drama and theater. Any form. 32 line limit.
55. The Leslie Ann Brown Memorial Award -- $50.00
Offered by Barbara Silha Pent and Dorothy Brown of Sherman, in memory of Leslie Ann Brown, daughter of Dorothy Brown, for the best Free Verse poem on any subject. 36 line limit.
56. * The Kohanski Award -- $50.00
Offered by Maxine B. Kohanski of Spring, for the best Free Verse poem on the subject: Night Creatures. 30 line limit.
57. * The Betty Black More Memorial Award -- $50.00
Offered by Maxine B. Kohanski of Spring, in memory of her cousin, Betty, who passed away on 1-17-09, for the best poem in any form on the subject: Childhood Memories. 28 line limit.
58. The Cutting Edge Award -- $50.00
Offered by Loretta Diane Walker of Odessa, for the best Prose poem or Free Verse poem on current events affecting the world today. 36 lines or less.
59. The Mary J. Croucher Memorial Award -- $50.00
Offered by Don G. Croucher of McKinney, in memory of his mother, for the best poem on any subject, in any form. 36 line limit.
60. * The Jerry Dison Memorial Award -- $40.00
Offered by J. Paul Holcomb of Double Oak, in memory of his brother-in-law, Jerry Dison, for the best Prose Poem. Any subject. 36 line limit. [The winning poem will be formatted to fit the space requirements of the PST A Book of the Year. Line breaks may change.]
61. The “Through the Looking Glass” Award -- $35.00
Offered by Naomi Stroud Simmons of Fort Worth and her daughter, Judy Simmons Kirkpatrick of Garland, for the best Spoon River poem - a soliloquy, on any subject, delivered from the grave. 40 line limit.
62. * The Performance Poetry Prize -- $35.00
Offered by Shirley Clement Fouts of El Paso, to honor Peggy Zuleika Lynch, for the best poem in any form, on any subject, no more than 28 lines.
63. The “Mariannne” Sonnet Variation Award -- $35.00
Offered by Marianne McNeil Logan of Amarillo and Vivian Ramsey Stewart of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for the best poem in the “Marianne” Sonnet Variation Pattern, aababbcb ccdc ddd or eee, a 15 line Sonnet. There should be no enjambment on lines 8 or 12.
64. * The Poets Northwest Award -- $35.00
Offered by the Poets Northwest Chapter of PST, for the best poem on the subject: Anything Magical. Any form. 32 line limit.
65. The Marjorie Morris Memorial Award -- $35.00
Offered by the Permian Basin Chapter of PST, in memory of Marjorie Morris, the Founder of the Globe Theater of the Great Southwest, for the best poem in any form, not exceeding 28 lines, on the subject: Creative Arts.
66. The Poets of Tarrant County Award -- $35.00
Offered by the Poets of Tarrant County, a Chapter of PST, for the best poem in any form, on the subject: Bridge or Bridges. 28 line limit. [Members of the Poets of Tarrant County are not eligible to enter.]
67. The “Through the Tears, Laughter” Award -- $30.00
Offered by Linda Banks of Mesquite, to honor Marilyn Stacy, for the best poem triggered by the contest name. Any form. 28 line limit.
68. The Alonzo’s Arts Award -- $30.00
Offered by Jimmie Radliff of Spring, for the best poem on faith and fine arts in tough times. Any form. 32 line limit.
69. The Clement Ellison Memorial Award -- $30.00
Offered by the family of the late Kay Ellison, in loving memory of her son, Clement, for a Shakepearean Sonnet about a musician, anything from a guitarist to the little drummer boy.
70. The Lois V. Chapman Prize -- $30.00
Offered by Linda Banks of Mesquite, to honor Lois V. Chapman, for the best poem based on a Biblical quote and reference, which must be included in an epigraph. Any form. 36 line limit.
71. The Carmichael Award -- $30.00
Offered by Irene Field Carmichael of Dallas, in remembrance of H. Dodson Carmichael, for the best poem on any subject, in any form. 12 line limit.
72. The Persimmon Prize -- $30.00
Offered by Linda Banks of Mesquite, to honor Naomi Stroud Simmons, for the best poem in any form that rejoices in the beauty and wonder of nature’s gifts. 36 line limit.
73. * The Rondel Davidson Memorial Award -- $25.00
Offered by J. Paul Holcomb of Double Oak, in memory of Dr. Rondel Davidson, for the best poem in any recognizable French form. (The form must be indicated on the entry.) Any subject. 32 line limit.
74. The Bluebonnnet Chapter Award -- $25.00
Offered by the Bluebonnnet Chapter of PST, in Wylie, at the time of its dissolution, for the best poem on any subject, in any form, with no more than 14 lines.
75. The Wichita Falls Poetry Society Award -- $25.00
Offered by the Wichita Falls Chapter of PST, for the best poem about cowboys, the cowboy lifestyle or ranching, written in rhyming quatrains, with a 36 line limit.
76. The Grace and Jerry Huffaker Memorial Award -- $25.00
Offered by Alma Grace Richardson of Wichita Falls, in memory of her grandmother and grandfather, for the best inspirational poem, in any traditional form. 32 line limit.
77. * The Beaumont Chapter Award -- $25.00
Offered by the Beaumont Chapter of PST, for the best poem on: the subject: Paper or Papers. Any form. 32 line limit.
78. * The Hattie Lou Gatlin Memorial Award -- $25.00
Offered by the Wichita Falls Chapter of PST, in memory of Lou, for the best poem in any form, on any subject, with a 24 line limit.
79. The Rusk County Poetry Society Award -- $25.00
Offered by the Rusk County Poetry Society of Henderson, a Chapter of PST, for the best poem on any subject, in any form, not to exceed 32 lines. [Open only to PST members who have never won a 1st Place in the Poetry Society of Texas Annual Contests.]
80. * The Castle Award -- $25.00
Offered by Birma C. Castle of Beaumont, to honor her children, Kathy, Vicki and Franklin, and in memory of their father, Johnny Castle, for the best poem on the subject: Shelves. Any form. 36 line limit.
81. * The Pearl Sterman Memorial Award -- $25.00
Offered by Annnette Schwartz of Houston, for the best Villanelle. Any subject.
82. The Incentive Award -- $25.00
Offered by Evelyn Corry Appelbee of Henderson, for the best poem on any subject, in any form. 32 lines or less. [Open only to PST members who have never won a 1st Place in the Poetry Society of Texas Annual Contests.]
83. The W.W. (Jim) Grimes Memorial Award -- $25.00
Offered by Inez Grimes of McKinney, in memory of her husband, for the best poem on any aspect of farm life: working, thoughts of yesteryear, etc. Any form. 28 lines or less.
84. * The Ted O. Badger Award -- $25.00
Offered by the Founder of Poetry in the Arts, Inc., Peggy Zuleika Lynch of San Antonio, in honor of Ted O. Badger, for his consistent dedication to poets and poetry for the best poem in any form, on any subject. 30 line limit.
85. The Mockingbird Chapter Award -- $25.00
Offered by the Mockingbird Chapter of PST, in McKinney, for the best poem about God, nature or people. Any form. 28 line limit.
86. * The Baass Prize -- $25.00
Offered by the Founder of Poetry in the Arts, Inc., Peggy Zuleika Lynch of San Antonio, in honor of Nancy Baass and Mildred Vorpahl Baass, for their consistent dedication to poets and the Poetry Society of Texas, for the best poem that presents a sharp image of a person of character, written in any form, not to exceed 36 lines.
87. The Genevieve Feagin Kallander Memorial Award --$25.00
Offered by Kay Baines of Dallas, in memory of her sister, Genevieve Feagin Kallander, for the best poem about Sisters or Familial Relationships. Any form. 28 line limit.
88. The Alice Lee Reeb Award -- $25.00
Offered by Kay Baines of Dallas, in honor of Alice Lee Reeb, an angel who worked at Doctors Hospital in Dallas for many years, for the best poem of not more than 36 lines, on the subject of Angels.
89. The Jane Lyon Morgan Memorial Award -- $25.00
Offered by Kay Baines of Dallas, in memory of her friend, Jane Lyon Morgan, for the best poem about Friends/ Friendship, in any form, and not more than 36 lines.
90. The Harry Kallander Award -- $25.00
Offered by Kay Baines of Dallas, in honor of Harry Kallander, for the best poem of not more than 36 lines, on the subject of Forestry/Nature/Trees. Any form.
91. The Jack Lee Feagin Memorial Award -- $25.00
Offered by Kay Baines of Dallas, in memory of her nephew, Jack Lee Feagin, for the best poem about Boyhood, growing up in the country. Any form. 36 line limit.
92. * The Derry Tutt Memorial Award -- $25.00
Offered by the Fort Worth Poetry Society, a Chapter of PST, for the best poem on Nature. Any form. 28 lines or less.
93. * The Serendipity Award -- $25.00
Offered by Robert L. and Shirley Elliott Cosby of Emory, in honor of their grandchildren, Michael and Anna Nelson, for the best poem about a serendipitous experience. Any form. 28 line limit.
94. * The Carlisle-Waltz Prize -- $25.00
Offered by the Founder of Poetry in the Arts, Inc., Peggy Zuleika Lynch of San Antonio, to honor Mary Margaret Carlisle and husband, Leo F. Waltz, for the best poem in any form, about a favorite Poetry Society of Texas member’s dedication to the society. 36 line limit.
95. The “At Wit’s End” Award -- $25.00
Offered by Claire Ottenstein-Ross of Pinehurst, for the best funny, rhymed poem on any subject. 16 line limit.
96. The Mildred Vorpahl Baass Award -- $25.00
Offered by Kay Baines of Dallas, in honor of a great lady, Mildred Vorpahl Baass, 2-term Poet Laureate of Texas and a WWII overseas Veteran, who has contributed greatly to PST and the world, and overcome many medical problems, for the best poem of not more than 36 lines, on Courage/Resilience/Survival. Any form.
97. The San Antonio Poets Association Prize -- $25.00
Offered by the San Antonio Poets Association, a Chapter of PST, and Valerie Martin Bailey, Chapter President, for the best poem on a Texas community: large city, small town or rural community. Any form. 32 line limit.
98. The Inez Award -- $25.00
Offered by Inez Grimes of McKinney, to honor past and present members of the Mockingbird Chapter of PST, for the best Rhymed or Free Verse poem on any subject. 24 lines or less. [Members of the Mockingbird Chapter are not eligible to enter.]
99. The Wings Award -- $25.00
Offered by Catherine L’Herisson of Garland, in memory of her mother, Dorothy Townsend, who died young, for the best poem about a bird or birds. Any form. 12 line limit.
100. The Annual Awards Banquet Award -- $25.00
Offered by Mildred Vorpahl Baass and Nancy Baass of Victoria, Banquet Arrangements Co-Chairmen, in recognition of all who have worked to make the Awards Banquets a success, for the best poem on any subject. Any form. 28 lines or less.
Questions and/or concerns may be directed to:
Annual Contest Chair
Nancy Baass
Email: nbaass@earthlink.net
Phone: 361 / 573-2273