National Poetry Month Contest

Pecantown Poetry Contest — 2026 Winners
Voices in Bloom · May 13, 2026

Pecantown Books & Brews

The
Winners

2026 Pecantown Poetry Writing Contest

National Poetry Month April 2026 Announced May 13

Overall Winner · Adult Category

First place.

Selected from all adult submissions by our panel of poets. Judged blind on creative interpretation of the prompt, use of sound and imagery, and the poet’s command of language and form.

Emma Reynolds

Packing LightAdult prompt: What Are You Carrying?

It rains too much here for the sagebrush to grow the way it does on the prairie where you and I were both born and so as I walk, I carry the memory of the smell of sage, and place it in my front pocket with my car keys and the whistle for if ICE comes to town and the crumbs of the muffin I didn’t finish while we were talking on the phone. I carry the adobe house where we ran through the sprinkler after dinner, the home with the loud fan and the screen door and the summer moths and the yellow bedroom where we slept after we lost our grandmother and later our aunt and then our other grandmother who should’ve died first but didn’t, because life doesn’t make sense and death doesn’t either, but that’s not something that brings me much comfort and so instead, I go on walks and try to notice everything and not make sense out of anything, and carry only what I have the space and strength to hold with the lightness this life deserves.

— Emma Reynolds

· · ·

Local Finalists · Adult Category

Recognized voices.

Two poems that moved our judges — selected for their originality, their imagery, and their courage.

Finalist · One

Rebecca Nesbit

Carrying What Isn’t Mine

My laptop says I can work anywhere. My phone says I’m always on call. My lipgloss says I should look presentable. My silence says I’m busy. Everything tells you something. It tells me who I have to be. The weight of other people’s opinions sits in my purse like spare change I never asked to carry.

— Rebecca Nesbit

Finalist · Two

Hanna Diaz

It glimmers while it grows…

It glimmers while it grows A feeling that once arose Shimmering in the light While it burns impossibly bright The burnout is cold and dull Leaving my heart in a restless lull So many reminders in the air Molding to the form of the once unbreakable pair Time the only forever constant The expectation of being respondent As it rises back in shine It’s a feeling that is forever mine (shimmer burtsbees chapstick) (grief)

— Hanna Diaz

· · ·

From the Submissions

Lines that stayed with us.

A handful of images and phrases our judges found themselves returning to. These poets have our gratitude.

The violin case, held a broken violin; until it didn’t.

Sonya EmeryHaikus with Gabel

Then how about a nod my way, so I can verify, I still exist?

Lorne Davisexistentialkittenism

Between my fingertips, a dandelion. Between my heart and soul, a thousand wishes for a love that will always be enough.

Kristina LyannA Dandelion

Three fortunes, folded soft from their hands. A Lego piece he hasn’t asked for back.

Crystal St. ClairSeams

and my firstborn — blue eyes like the ocean

Joshua EvansI Carry You

· · ·

Young Poets · Ages 7–17

The youngest voices.

Four poems from our youngest participants — each one a gift! We are proud of every poet who put pen to page.

Age 8

If I Were A Pokemon

Uri Evans

If I were a Pokemon I would make my own That had every power So that I could be strong like Mewtwo And my trainer could be Ash He’s my favorite Trainer I would Be friends with Pikachu I love Pokemon.
Age 9

If I Were a Dinnersaur Historian

Sahas Seepuri

A long time ago, in a land of delicious food The Dinnersaurs never found anything good. Every day their dinners tasted the same, Too bland, too plain and very lame. They longed for something tasty, something new, ‘Cause their dinners were too tough to chew. The slices of pizza they ate every day Left each of the Dinnersaurs in dismay. Spaghettisaurus Rex was so slow and lazy All the slices of pizza made him crazy. Broccolisaurus was constantly hungry too Her stomach was empty and that was absolutely true. They all came together one bright moonlit night Dressed in colors of green and glimmering white To discuss and debate what to do About their lack of yummy food. Suddenly they eyed each other ready to eat And in that hunger, they looked delicious and sweet. They began slashing and slicing, causing a fight Splattering sauce through the sky in the night. When no one was left, humans came to the place And saw a feast all around the space. Spaghetti and broccoli everywhere More than enough food to cause a scare. They took it home for their tummies. It all tasted pretty yummy. And now these Dinnersaurs are tossed in the heat To be served on our tables as the meals we love to eat.
Age 9

The Tree Is Me

Lacey St. Clair

If I were a tree, I would flow through the breeze from the branches to the leaves. If I were a tree, I would be so very tall. Yes, so tall as tall as them all. If I were a tree, my roots would hold me in place, for I would be very still no need to run at a pace. If I were a tree, I would be strong in a storm and show animals to their dorm. If I were a tree, I would go with the seasons that are lappin’. If I were a tree, that is what would happen.
Age 16

Amour in the Snow

Amiya Rouse

It purrs The taciturnity in the road. It settle-meddles And bleats away from me. It bleats a sepulchural somberness And somberly slings away, To be Some commonplace, Still somber as tears or nudeness So abhorrent it heals It LITHENS.

The Pecantown
Chapbook

Every poem submitted this April — winners, finalists, and all entrants — will be included in the Pecantown “Voices in Bloom” Chapbook, a printed collection available in store beginning July 2026.

Available In Store · July 2026

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