Established in 1923
The Poetry Society of Virginia
CELEBRATING THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF VIRGINIA POETRY
In 1923, a group of poets met in at the College of William and Mary and founded an organization they named The Poetry Society of Virginia. Since then, the PSOV has worked to advance the cause and appreciation of poetry throughout Virginia. The Society stages annual contests, holds local and regional events, publishes an anthology of prize-winning poems, and is instrumental in assisting the Governor of Virginia with the selection of Poet Laureate.
The PSV is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and fostering mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all individuals and groups. We are committed to fostering a supportive community that offers motivation, encouragement, and educational opportunities aimed at creating equity and a sense of belonging in Virginia’s poetry community.
2023 POETRY SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA CONTEST IS NOW OPEN
We're ready to see what you've got! If you have experience presenting workshops, classes, and/or reading/performing poetry, we'd love to hear your proposals for 1-1/2 hr slots--or keynotes--for one of these dates: May 4,5,6,7, 2023, in Richmond.
Be sure to create your own Submittable account first then show us what you've got!
Virginia's Poet Laureate, Luisa A. Igloria
POEM WITH STATUES FALLING
by Luisa A. Igloria
A thousand bodies lining the bridges.
A thousand bodies walking with purpose
everywhere, into the heart of their burning
city. It's summer and we are taking
heads, toppling monuments of despots
and slave-holders off their plinths,
tipping them into the river where they
make a big plonk before disappearing
into the oily depths of the river.
Now we are our own living,
breathing monuments: in the midst
of the rallying crowds, a man
and woman still in wedding
clothes, kissing; gleaming boy
in graduation toga; girl
standing regal in a dress, facing
a line of police officers, hair
whipping back more than the wind.
Published with the permission of the author
The Poetry Society of Virginia is Preparing to Celebrate its
Centennial Anniversary
Click HERE to see how you can help
2022 Poetry Society of Virginia Contest Winners Announced
Congratulations to all of this year's winners!!!
2022 Poetry Society of Virginia Student Contest Winners Announced
Congratulations to all of this year's student winners!!!
Collected Poems from the Poetry Society of Virginia: Poetry Virginia 2021
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2021 PSV Annual Poetry Contest! We are thrilled to present our yearly book of winners, including upper school students.
So, why publish a book of winning entries? Publishing not only validates poets, it gives others a sense of what wins. Having said that, we rarely use the same judges for the same categories. The standard is simple: whether the poem is strong, not whether it is to the judge’s taste.
The book is also entertaining, elucidating and useful as a work of its own.
Virginia Poet Laureate Luisa A. Igloria
& the Poetry Society of Virginia Announce
the 2022-2023 Young Poets in the Community Cohort
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In Memoriam
Rest in peace, Bob Kelly, June 10, 2021, age 97
Rest in Peace, Ann Marie Boyden, Age 82
Patsy Anne Bickerstaff, age 83
Former president of PSV