Poets sought by Wood Co. Committee on Aging
1/22/2013BOWLING GREEN -- Wood County is looking for a few good poets of the senior variety.
The Wood County Committee on Aging is accepting entries for its 8th annual poetry contest, this year called “Life’s Voyages,” from now until March 1.
Executive Director Denise Niese said her agency has found a surprising number of gifted poets over the years.
“People are creative at all ages, and this poetry contest provides them with a venue to share their talents and have competition among their peers,” she said. “Some of them use this as a way of reminiscing. Some are telling their life stories, and some are just having fun.”
Danielle Brogley, director of programs for the Committee on Aging, said she has laughed out loud and been moved to tears by the poetry the county’s over-50 crowd has created.
“One that stands out was one a gentleman in 2010 wrote about his wife,” she recalled. “He had just lost her, and he hadn’t been to any functions without her. That really touched my heart for a man to open up like that. He had never written it down or told anyone, but by the end you were crying.”
Sponsored by Otterbein Skilled Nursing and Rehab Neighborhoods, the contest features a $50 gift card for the first-place poem and a $25 gift card for second place.
This year, sponsors are asking that poems flow from the theme, “Life’s Voyages.”
“Poems should share stories of life, hope, dreams, and love,” a flier advertising the contest reads. “We are looking for poetry that, in some way, celebrates the heart and souls of Wood County citizens as they continue to celebrate their lives.”
Last year, Rodney Green of Risingsun, took first place for “Apology of Love,” which read in part:
Will you still love me
For my love is true
Will you still love me
I’ll do anything for you
WIll you still love me
You’re very special to my heart
Will you still love me
I never want us to part
Poems, which must be submitted in English, double-spaced, in a 12 point Times New Roman font, are due by 4 p.m. March 1 at the Wood County Committee on Aging, 305 N. Main St., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Poems also may be sent by email to programs@wccoa.net.
Each entry must have the title of the poem, the author’s name, phone number, address, and date of submission. Only two entries per person will be accepted.
The poems will be judged by a writing instructor and student from Bowling Green State University and the Sentinel Tribune newspaper. A banquet is planned for March 24 at the Senior Center in Bowling Green to recognize the winning poets. contact the Committee on Aging for more information.
Contact Jennifer Feehan at jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-724-6129.