Calling All Poets for Moon Poems

The Washington Poets Association and the Seattle Japanese Garden invite your submission of poems about the moon, stars, or night sky.

Selected poems will be included in a reading as part of the garden's Moon Viewing Festival on Saturday, September 2, 2006, at the Japanese Garden in Seattle's Washington Park Arboretum.

From poems submitted, at least ten poems will be selected to be read. You need not be able to attend to read your poem, but if you can attend, you'll receive free admission for you and a guest (normally $10 per person) to read your poem. In previous years this event has attracted 650+ people and has also been on Seattle TV news.

Submission Procedure

1. Submit no more than three poems that feature the moon, stars, or night sky as the primary subject or focus. Poems may be unpublished or previously published (if published, include publication credit). Individual poems should not exceed two pages in length. Any genre or form of poetry is welcome. A sequence of very short poems, such as haiku, may include more than three poems, but should not exceed two pages per sequence. Poems may be positive or negative in tone, but positive content stands a stronger chance to be accepted. Remember that the audience will be families and mostly nonpoets.
2. Include your name and mailing address with your submission, and please indicate whether you will be able to read in person or not on September 2.
3. E-mail poems to both Michael Dylan Welch (welchm@aol.com) and Christopher Jarmick (glasscocoon@hotmail.com). Please type or paste the poems directly into the e-mail message (no attached files, please). Because the poems won't be published, we are not concerned about formatting issues, but if you have concerns that may affect our understanding of your work, please explain in your e-mail.
   
   Poets without e-mail can submit via postal mail; if so, please send two copies of each poem to:

   Michael Dylan Welch
   22230 NE 28th Place
   Sammamish, WA 98074-6408
   
   

   and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for reply.
4. If you have a favorite moon/star poem written by another person, feel free to include/nominate that poem with your submission (contact information for the poet would also be helpful, if available).
5. Poems must be received by July 21 (the anniversary of the first human landing on the moon).

Moon Viewing Event ~ Saturday, September 2, 2006

Even if one of your poems is not selected, plan now to come to the Moon Viewing event at the Japanese Garden in Seattle's Washington Park Arboretum on Saturday, September 2, 2006, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. ($10 entry fee per person). For more information, call 206-684-4725 or visit http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/parkspaces/japanesegarden.htm (pictures of the garden at http://community.webshots.com/album/486200286nnkAUu/0).

The garden is decorated with hundreds of lanterns and candles, including candle-boats set afloat on the pond, and you can experience a transcendent evening of traditional and contemporary Japanese music, tea ceremony, and more. Note: Please be aware that this reading is the same weekend as the Bumbershoot festival.

Random Poems

Upcoming Events

Other Items