Established in 1923

The Poetry Society of Virginia

CELEBRATING THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF VIRGINIA POETRY

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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.

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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

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.

Purchase Here