Arizona Poetry Contest Poem by Kim Barney

The annual contest of the Arizona State Poetry Society has so far been a good one for me.
The Arizona contest is different. In most poetry contests, you are only allowed to submit one poem per category, but in the ASPS contest you can submit as many poems per category as you want. You just have to pay a separate entry fee for each poem.
They publish all of the first, second, and third place poems in a book, called Sandcutters. If you get one or more of your poems in Sandcutters, they also send you a free copy of the book.

The first year that I entered their contest, in 2019, I was surprised to win First, Second, and Third Place in the humor category, as well as Second Honorable Mention.

'Baseball in Heaven'
First Place
Category 8: Humor

'Dying for a Cookie'
Second Place
Category 8: Humor

'Terrified Taxi Driver '
Third Place
Category 8: Humor

'Absolution'
2nd Honorable Mention
Category 8: Humor

In 2020, I submitted that poem that had received the 2HM, as well as a half dozen of my other funniest poems, and I struck out! I did not receive even an honorable mention. The judge that year did not appreciate any of my poems.

In 2021, in the Humor category, I received Second Place, Third Place, and Second Honorable Mention. I also got Third Place in the Cowboys category.

'Sittin' ‘Round the Campfire'
Third Place
Category 2: Cowboys

'Old Mac'
Second Place
Category 5: Humor

'The Streaker'
Third Place
Category 5: Humor

'My Uncle Paul'
Second Honorable Mention
Category 5: Humor

In 2022, in Humor, I got First Place, Second Place, First Honorable Mention, and Second Honorable Mention. I also received Third Place and Third Honorable Mention in the category Rhyming Poem for Children.

'Languishing in Jail'
FIRST PLACE
Category 3: East Valley Poets Award [Humor]

'Healthiest Town Ever Found'
Second Place
Category 3: East Valley Poets Award [Humor]

'A Marvelous Hunting Dog'
First Honorable Mention
Category 3: East Valley Poets Award [Humor]

'Happy Hollow Nursing Home'
Second Honorable Mention
Category 3: East Valley Poets Award [Humor]

'Mischievous Toys'
Third Place
Category 10: Rhyming Poem for Children Award

'Pokey Pete'
Third Honorable Mention
Category 10: Rhyming Poem for Children Award


In 2023 I struck out again! I think I may have messed up my cover sheet, and so all my poems were disqualified. Or maybe the judges just didn't like my poems.

In 2024 I had one cash prize, a Shakespearean sonnet that was a true story about my brother-in-law. I guess my humorous poems are no longer funny to the judges in Arizona.

'Miracle Man'
Third Place
Category 19. Sonnet