ROBERT FROST POETRY CONTEST

----Results of
   the 2020 Robert Frost Poetry Contest

Note:
   ---there is also a nearby
        modern metrical poetry Frost contest as well,
         deadline March 30, 2020,
          defined here:
            http://www.frostfarmpoetry.org/prize

We began with about 120 poems.

3 batches of 40 were read,
typically by 3 readers, and scored 1-10,
by only by personal reaction, how it
grabbed each reader, how much it moved them.
10 of each 40 were selected, and any just
into or out of that 10 were compared openly
to settle the choices.

So then we had 30 poems.  4 readers scored them
in one session.  The top 10 scores were selected
after the usual open discussion of just-in and just-out.

So, finally, the best 4 were emailed around,
  one reader seeing these for the first time.
   It was a vote: favorite, and your #2 choice,
    instant run-off voting.

Tallying votes for the number one poem was easy:
   everyone voted for the same #1!

The other 9 of the top 10 are important for being very close
   to the very top, and more importantly:
   to give different examples
   of what it takes to capture many people's minds.
   
----------------------------

Anyway, the top 10 poems are listed here,
  and after #1, there is no particular order implied
  by the order of the runners-up...

First Place...

"Singer" ---- by Paulette Demers Turco,
                     Newburyport, MA

Runners-up:


"Illuminating the Night" --- by Sandy Longley,
                                Delmar, NY

"Morning" --- by Lucy Ricciardi,
                     Greenwich, CT

"Near the End of Ocean Boulevard" --- by Jane Blanchard,
                                        Augusta Georgia
"Home" --- by John Struloeff,
              Malibu, CA

"Signals" --- by Gayle C. Heney,
                 North Anover, MA

"Elephants" --- by Simon Peter Eggersten,
                   Champlain, NY

"The Hawk" --- by Colleen Wells,
                  Bloomington, IN

"Annulment" --- by Paulette Demers Turco,
                     Newburyport, MA

"Change After Whispers" --- by Gary Bills,
                            Ledbury, Herefordshire, UK

----->  The Board
        of the Robert Frost Foundation of Lawrence Mass.
        wishes to thank everyone for an enlightening,
        compelling experience, despite all the effort.

----->  There were to be ceremonies of awarding and reading,
        but due to the magnitude of the mounting
        CORVID-19 pandemic, we cannot be sure of the original
        dates or venues.  This is a problem for anyone
        making plans to travle and read, or even to listen.
        Stay tuned for any re-scheduled events.



In the meantime, could each of the top 10 please email
   text with their poem to this address, frostnewsline@gmail.com ?
   That makes it so much easier to tell the world about
    your awesomeness..


Regards, Thanks, and Congrats,

     The Frost Board