[Catherine Chandler]

Just got an email from William Baer that Rhina Espaillat has chosen Gail White's "Old Photographs" as the winner of the Howard Nemerov Sonnet Award.

Congratulations, Gail!

My sonnet, "Composure", was a finalist. I don't know who the other finalists are, but maybe there are other Spherians.

[Cally Conan-Davies]

OH YIPPEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brilliant news!!! YAYAYAYA!! Happy dance!!!!!!!

And you, too, Cathy - being the finalist is a complete honour.

WOW, you two! The Sonneteers!

CONGRATULATIONS, OUR GAIL!!

Cally

[Michael Cantor]

Congratulations, Gail and Catherine. (For whatever reason, Bill doesn't provide a list of finalists, so for the past two years I asked him for a listing and posted it here. Cathy asked me to try to work the magic again - I've finally found my niche in the poetry world - and I've asked Bill and will advise if I hear anything.)

(There seems to be an exuberant Australian woman swinging from my light fixture. Does anybody else have one?)

Added in: Received the complete list of Finalists from Bill Baer. Here they are (I see about six Spherians!)


“Old Photographs” – Gail White (this year's winner)

“Pacific Trash Vortex” – Tony Barnstone

“Housekeeper” – Paul Buchheit

“Composure” – Catherine Chandler

“A Julliard Pianist” – Philip Dacey

“She Drives Through Distance,” – Carol Frith

“The View from the Trees” – Juliana Gray

“In the Asylum” – Jean L. Kreiling

“Sonnet Written on a Drugstore Receipt” – Quincy R. Lehr

“Uncle Vanya” – Marion Shore

“Momentum” – Marty Steyer

“Stages of Snow” – Liza McAlister Williams

[Nicholas F.]

Word is that Quincy Lehr was also a finalist. Congrats to all.

Nick

[Janice D. Soderling]

Gail, HOORAY, HOORAY. So deserved!

Cathy and Quincy. Toot, toot and bang on the washboards.

Big congrats to all.

(Mike, yes, she was just in another thread of mine, walking along the ceiling playing a didgeridoo. Is it Spiderwoman? No. Is it Batgirl? No. It's the Kryptonite Kidderoo.)

[Jean L. Kreiling]

YEA, GAIL! So happy to learn of this recognition for a terrific poet. Big congratulations to you. Can't wait to read the poem, though it usually takes a while before Measure puts out that issue.

And congratulations to Cathy, whose winning sonnet two years ago was such a gorgeous work of art. And congrats to Quincy, too.

And (modest downcast eyes here), I'm honored to share the news that I'm sharing space with them on that finalist list. Now please excuse me while I go find a light fixture from which to swing.

Best,
Jean

[Cally Conan-Davies]

HA! I was just about to post this:

"I'd be very surprised if Salt Kreiling's name isn't on that list."

Go Gail, go C, go Q, go Salt, GO SWING!!!!!

[Janice D. Soderling]

Swinging Jean! Man, you are taking home one honor after the other.

The Sphere is HOT.

[Susan McLean]

Congratulations, Gail, Cathy, Jean, and Quincy! I have heard from Philip Dacey that he is a finalist, too. If you don't know his name, he was one of the two editors of Strong Measures, an early, influential collection of formalist poetry, and recently had some poems in Measure.

Susan

[Maryann Corbett]

Huge congrats to Gail! And all praise as well to Cathy, Quincy, and Jean. And to Philip Dacey, too, though he's less likely to look in here; thanks for that news, Susan.

Come on, folks, don't make us wait for Bill Baer to get back to Michael. Come tell us who you are, all you finalists, and be appropriately cheered.