Poetry Contest
The Enoch Pratt Free Library Poetry Contest is an annual event open to Maryland poets age 18 and older.
2023 Poetry Contest Winner
Congratulations to Anne Rong, whose poem "Chang’e Thinks of Houyi on the Mid-Autumn Moon" won the 2023 Enoch Pratt Free Library Poetry Contest, judged by Little Patuxent Review.
Runners-up were Eleanora Hyde, for "No stars but city lights," and Bruce Sager, for "Gertrude and Otis."
Anne Rong is a Taiwanese-American poet born and raised in Rockville, Maryland. She is currently an undergraduate student studying English and government at the University of Maryland, College Park. In 2022, she was awarded the George A. Watrous Literary Prize for poetry. Her favorite book is Written on the Body by Jeannette Winterson and her go-to sushi order is one spicy tuna roll and one spicy crunchy tuna roll, both doused in soy sauce.
The poems by all three finalists will be published in Little Patuxent Review’s summer 2023 issue and celebrated at a public Library event on Tuesday, August 15. The winning poem may also be turned into a collectible broadside. For more information, please email poetry@prattlibrary.org.
There were 209 poems submitted to the 2023 Poetry Contest, representing 75 cities and towns and 15 counties in Maryland plus Baltimore City.
Thank you to everyone who entered the 2023 Poetry Contest!
Check out our upcoming poetry events for adults:
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An empowering and rewarding experience to write an hour each week at the same time and place. This experience serves as powerful…December 7, 12 PM -
Share your original poetry and hear poetry by your peers in a friendly and supportive space. Or join us as a listener! Be…December 9, 11 AM -
A read and critique group for writers with interest in all forms of writing: poetry, novel, short story, creative nonfiction…December 11, 6 PM -
The Edmondson Avenue Branch is hosting an open mic poetry reading. We invite participants to bring their original poems and…December 18, 6:30 PM
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