26th Annual Young Poets Poetry Contest

Theme: I HEAR AMERICA SINGING
Contest: Write a poem about singing

I HEAR AMERICA SINGING

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

-Walt Whitman        (1860)


This year the theme is a musical one.  It is about singing.  As Whitman traveled, he observed men and women at their work and play.  He wrote about his fellow human beings, their joy and engagement in activities and in being alive.  He celebrated the sounds of work, the humming of engines, sounds of tools being used, the joy of working hard and contributing to America.  He described the people as they sang, how they looked and what they were doing.         

In order to write this poem, you will need to look and listen to those around you.  Think about your teachers, friends, family members, your favorite stars in the media.  Consider what your grandfather, little sister, teacher or grocery clerk, custodian, principal or street cleaner might sing about and in what ways they might sing.  Show us these singers with your skillful use of colorful and interesting words.                          

Use Whitman’s technique of detailed descriptions and use of the senses, to compose your poem.  Include some or all of your senses: see, smell, taste, touch, feel, hear.  Remember to use images, similes and metaphors to show us your objects.  Your poem should employ a longer line, like those of Whitman.  Search for unusual words and craft them into a poetry of sounds repeating letters for alliteration and vowels for assonance.  Try to avoid end rhymes, although slant or internal rhymes may be used.

Like Whitman, consider the many workers and people in your everyday life.  Describe them and how they sing as Whitman has done in this poem.

With this swirl of involvement and observation, your writing will capture a world in itself.

Good luck!


GUIDELINES

The Walt Whitman Birthplace Association maintains and operates the Walt Whitman Birthplace, home of America’s greatest poet.  All contestants and poetry lovers are encouraged to visit the Birthplace.  School groups may participate in a variety of unique educational programs.

THEME: I HEAR AMERICA SINGING

ELIGIBILITY: Students in grades 3-12

ENTRANCE CATEGORIES:
Category A – Individual poem, grades 3-4                 Category G – Class anthology, grades 5-6
Category B – Individual poem, grades 5-6                 Category H – Class anthology, grades 7-8
Category C – Individual poem, grades 7-8                 Category   I – Class anthology, grades 9-10
Category D – Individual poem, grades 9-10               Category   J – Class anthology, grades 11-12
Category E – Individual poem, grades 11-12             Category  K – Multi-media
Category F – Class anthology, grades 3-4                 Category  L – Individual anthology

FORMAT:
Type or print any length poem up to 2 pages.

Individual poems MUST have the following information on EACH page:
poem title and entrance category
entrant’s name, complete address, home phone number, age and grade level
school name, complete address, school phone number, and teacher’s name
for multiple entries by a teacher: poems must be noted by grade AND class period

Class anthology MUST have the following information:
anthology title
title sheet with the entrance category, teacher’s name, grade, school name, school phone number and complete address
the student’s name on each poem; student may enter a poem in an anthology and as an individual poem
all poems should be in binder or book form  
for multiple entries by a teacher: anthologies must be noted by grade AND class period

DEADLINE:
Entries must be postmarked by MARCH 16, 2012

AWARDS:
Winners notified by mail in mid-May.
Awards ceremony: Sunday, June 3, 2012.
Awards distributed at the annual Walt Whitman Birthday Celebration held at the Walt Whitman Birthplace.  This is Walt’s 193rd birthday.
First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention Awards will be given in each category.
First place poems will be posted on the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association website.
Individual entries will NOT be returned.
To obtain a list of winners send self-addressed business envelope with two first class stamps.
Awards held for pickup at the Walt Whitman Birthplace until July 11, 2012.  They will not be mailed.
Winning and non-winning anthologies will be held for pickup until July 11, 2012.  They will not be mailed.

All submissions become the property of the Walt Whitman Birthplace and may be published online or in print.
The poems are judged by a panel of published poets selected by the Birthplace Trustees.

MAILING INSTRUCTIONS:

POETRY CONTEST  -  Carolyn Diglio, Education Coordinator
Walt Whitman Birthplace Association
246 Old Walt Whitman Road
Huntington Station, NY  11746-4148        
(for additional information contact Carolyn Diglio at (631) 427-5240, ext. 113)