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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.

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2023 POETRY BOOK AWARD FOR NORTH

AMERICAN WRITERS & PUBLISHERS

2023 POETRY SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The 2023 PSV Contest award ceremony will be held at Tucker Theater on April 8th from 2:00-5:00 PM on the campus of William and Mary.

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

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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

Colorful Balloons

Click HERE to see how you can help

Happy Birthday Cake

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.

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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

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