Poetry contest deadline and reach extended in Plaza

Janelle Clausen
George Green, a professor at Lehman College and award-winning poet, will be judging this year's submissions. (Photo courtesy of Great Neck Plaza)
George Green, a professor at Lehman College and award-winning poet, will be judging this year's submissions. (Photo courtesy of Great Neck Plaza)

A Long Islander could be among the ranks of poets like Robert Frost and William Shakespeare over the summer – or at least among the places where Great Neck Plaza has placed their poetry.

The Village of Great Neck Plaza extended the deadline for its annual poetry contest from Jan. 24 to Feb. 7 and its reach to the five boroughs in hopes of getting more submissions to possibly showcase.

“It just seemed like such a great idea to highlight what poetry means to so many people, and it’s just a great way for people to express themselves,” Brian Hetey, the mayor’s assistant, said in an interview.

The first-place winner will get $150 and a chance to read for 20 minutes before residents, while the second- and third-place winners will get $75 and $50, respectively, as well as time reading their poems.

Winning work will also be displayed in the Village of Great Neck Plaza for a month at a time at select corners, inside the Long Island Rail Road station’s waiting area and at Village Hall. Runner-ups get two weeks each.

“To me, poetry is the universal language in terms of reaching people’s feelings and their attitudes and their thoughts and their fears and their interests,” said Carolyn Raphael, the coordinator of the village’s Poetry in the Plaza program, which promotes poetry around the plaza throughout the year. “It just speaks to a lot of different people.”

Raphael added that she has been delighted to find strong support for poetry from Mayor Jean Celender and Deputy Mayor Ted Rosen.

Poets from Nassau County, Suffolk County and the five boroughs can submit up to three original and unpublished poems to be considered for prizes. George Green, a poet and professor at Lehman College in the Bronx, will judge the poetry.

Poems can be on any subject and in any style, but must have a title and not exceed more than 30 lines. Two copies of any poem should also be submitted – one anonymous and one with the poet’s name, phone number and email address.

Additionally, there is a nonrefundable submission fee of $15, which must be paid to Long Island Traditions.

The winners will be announced on March 15, with a poetry reading day occurring on April 15 from noon to 2 p.m. Members of the public will also have an opportunity to read their own poetry during the open mic period.

For more information about the contest, contact Carolyn Raphael, the village’s poetry coordinator, at gnpoetry@yahoo.com or call Village Hall at 516-482-4500.

Share this Article