Join us for the Poetry Derby and hear writers read their winning poems! At its core, the Poetry Derby prioritizes a playful approach to language and form, capitalizing on the fact that horses are measured in hands and poems are traditionally measured in feet. In keeping with the horsey theme, we asked local and regional writers to submit modified sonnets of 16 lines as a nod to the average height of thoroughbreds (16 hands). Twelve high school winners and eight adult winners will share their poems with a reception of light refreshments to follow.

The Commonwealth Center for Humanities and Society is pleased to partner with the Derby Museum, JCPS and St. Francis School, UofL's Department of English, UofL's Department of Fine Arts, and the Portland Museum.

HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORY:

WIN (1st): Samantha Bliss’s “A Sonnet?” (DuPont Manual)
PLACE (2nd): Carmen Boston’s “Sonnet” (DuPont Manual)
SHOW (3rd): Victoria West’s “On Living” (Fern Creek)

We’d also like to congratulate the rest of our top 12, in no particular order:

Camren Wright’s “Winter Night” (Western)
Jackson Zehnder’s “Loneliness” (Fern Creek)
Amy Irwin’s “[When you first left and bled I sulked in mare]” (DuPont Manual)
Jasmine Lowitz’s “You Find Yourself a Tavern” (Fern Creek)
Ella Treinen’s “On the Cusp” (DuPont Manual)
Chad Vanover’s “The” (Fern Creek)
Caroline Youdes’ “The Voices of the Human Psyche” (DuPont Manual)
Madelyn Roberts’ “It is Blue” (DuPont Manual)
Kelsey Haysley’s “A Year in the Life of a Cadet” (Fern Creek)

ADULT CATEGORY:

WIN (1st): Jameson Welch’s “Infield”
PLACE (2nd): Amy Dotson “Submission”
SHOW (3rd): Joseph Garcia’s “(undying beauty.)”

We’d also like to congratulate the rest of our top 8, in no particular order:

Ann DeVilbiss’ “What Horses Love”
Andrew Hutto’s “Mint”
John Lee Roberts’ “The Final Race”
Colin Dean’s “Drive By”
Akira Mattingly’s “Conversations”