[Andrew Szilvasy]

Rhina Espaillat was a finalist for the prize. I met her at the Newburyport Literary Festival after a reading by a few poets--including Mike Juster--and she was incredibly kind and gracious to someone who she had certainly never heard of.

I can't wait to read Rhina's poem in the new edition, along with all the other finalists, of course, including the winner, Rayon Lennon.

[Gail White]

Always delighted to see an honors come Rhina's way. Thanks, Andrew.

[Susan McLean]

Nice to see that Barbara Lydecker Crane, a delightful and funny poet who writes in form, was also one of the finalists. Congratulations to Rhina and her. I don't know the works of the winner or the other finalists.

Susan

[Catherine Chandler]

I look forward to reading these poems by Rhina and Barbara. Congratulations!

[Jennifer Reeser]

Brava, brava to Rhina -- a remarkable poet, and an amazing human being, as well.

Her entry will be published in the winter issue, forthcoming in December, where I hope everyone will read it. I am certainly looking forward to that one.

I will be in that issue, as well, with my (formal) translation of an ancient Cherokee shamanic formula, first recorded during the 19th century in the Sequoian syllabary by the medicine man, A Yu I Ni (He Who Swims).

Look for us both.

Jennifer

[Cyn Neely]

I am looking forward treading both of you Jennifer and Rhina