Et cetera : Logan included in "Lyrical Iowa" published by, Iowa Poetry Association

The Iowa Poetry Association, Inc (IPA) announces the publication of its annual poetry anthology Lyrical Iowa 2025, Our 80th Year. The poems included within these pages are finely-crafted and engaging works submitted by poets of all ages from across our state; they touch on a wide range of subjects and themes, and evoke myriad emotions. 

With recent discussions on the use of AI, Editor Marilyn Baszczynski commented, "someone asked how I would recognize AI-generated poems; I read a number of them to see. Not surprisingly, AI work did not move me, did not find the magic, the language to express the wonder of life and beauty, the heartbreak of loss and failure, the search for healing, the struggles to live fully, as do the poems in this issue." Indeed, first grader Rafe Morriss writes in "The Reflection": "The orange sky at night./The reflection like a mirror./The lake is magic."

Poems for the anthology are selected from submissions to the annual Lyrical Iowa Competition. Membership is not a requirement for having poetry included in the anthology, and there are no entry fees. Contestants need only reside in Iowa. The Iowa Poetry Association has about 310 members across the state.

Besides those awarded cash prizes or honorable mentions in the seven adult categories and four student divisions, many other top-ranking poems are showcased in this 172-page book with full-color cover. This year, a total of 300 poems was selected from about 2,000 entries submitted to IPA's 2025 contests, including six Pushcart Prize nominations. Entries came from 70 of Iowa's 99 counties, sent by persons aged from 6 to 102. [Editors: See list of contest winners attached; also attached for your convenience is a listing by county of winners and poets to be published in this year's anthology.]  

The mission of the Iowa Poetry Association, Inc, a non-profit organization, is to promote interest in and appreciation of poetry through opportunities for education, publication, writing, performance, and contests. IPA aims to serve Iowans of all ages, incomes, identities, and experience levels. Besides sponsoring the annual contests and new, exciting Slam competitions, IPA offers two workshops for poem critiques each year, as well as IPA LIVE!, a vibrant monthly program of online mini-workshops and readings. Among other events, IPA's Palooza group presents Poetry on the Prairie in Perry, Nov 8-9, 2025 and Poetry Palooza, in Des Moines, April 17-18, 2026, this year featuring Martin Espada, Jewel Rodgers, Kimberly Blaeser, Iowa's Jennifer L. Knox and Iowa emerging poet Kelli Lage. Events are free and open to the public.

Association executive officers include: Dawn Terpstra of Lynnville, President; Heather Clark of Winterset, Vice-President/Historian; Barbara Edler of Keokuk, Secretary; Dawn Mumey of Bettendorf, Treasurer; and Marilyn J. Baszczynski of Earlham, Editor and Contest Chair.
 
"We are also excited to announce our 2026 Lyrical Iowa Competition," Baszczynski added. "Adult contests include the Lucille Morgan Wilson Award, Grant Wood Country Poetry Prize, Haiku, Traditional Forms (ghazal, pantoum, sonnet, villanelle), National/World Events, Humorous Verse, and Poetry For Children." Student divisions are College, High School, Middle School (5-8), and Elementary (K-4). Contest entries may be sent January 1 - February 28, 2026. Complete contest rules for adult, college, high school and grade school entries are available on their website at iowapoetry.org. There is no entry fee. For information on Slam Poetry competitions, see iowapoetry.org/slam.
 
Also on the website: how to order books, winning poems, judges' page, Pushcart Prize nominees, resources for teachers, links to publication opportunities, workshop information, and more, all in support of Iowa poets. To donate, see iowapoetry.org.

Iowa Poetry Association-Poets published in Lyrical Iowa 2025 by County
(All poets listed have one poem selected for publication. If a poem won in a category, rank and category follow name) 

ADAIR:  Linda Wolfe, Greenfield

AUDUBON:  Robert P Hansen, Brayton - 3rd Place, National/World Events

BENTON:  Jan Logan, Van Horne 

BLACK HAWK: 
Erin Caldwell, Cedar Falls - 2nd Place, Traditional Forms
Lori Culbertson Harris, Cedar Falls - 1st Place, Grant Wood Poetry
Delia Ralston, Waterloo - Pushcart nominee
Also published:  Barbara Brooks-Wheeler, Cedar Falls; Kerri Mennenga, Cedar Falls; James Ralston, Waterloo; Kathy Sanborn, Waterloo; Laura Sohl-Cryer, Cedar Falls
SCHOOL: Danielle Sunseri, (Marion, IA) Univ of Northern Iowa

BOONE:  Angela Olney, Boone; Sean Whalen, Pilot Mound

BREMER: Dale Goeke, Waverly; Steven D Palmquist, Waverly

BUCHANAN:  Myrna Sandvik, Brandon

BUENA VISTA:  Ashley WolfTornabane, Storm Lake - 1st Place, Haiku
Also published: Mary Gill, Storm Lake

BUTLER:  Sarah Lynn Jordan, Shell Rock; Valrie Schuster, SHell Rock

CARROLL:  Lori Shannon, Manning - 1st Place - Traditional Forms  

CASS:  Allison Berryhill, Atlantic; Glenda Farrier, Atlantic; Katie Hedegaard, Atlantic
SCHOOL:  Jordan McCool, Gr10, Atlantic HS - 2nd Place - High School
Also published, Margaret McCurdy, Gr 11, Norah Olsen, Gr 9, Gracey Pelzer, Gr 12, Atlantic High School

CEDAR:  Sandra L. Green, Tipton; Bonnie Balluff Hanlin, West Branch

CERRO GORDO:  Thomas W Case, Clear Lake
SCHOOL:  Jasmine Dietrich, Gr 10, Mason City HS

CLARKE:  Ellen G Danner, Woodburn

CLAY:  Carol B McMullen, Spencer

CLAYTON:  Lee L. Gordon, Marquette

CLINTON:  Audrey Mueller, DeWitt - 2nd HM, Humorous Verse 
Also published: Melinda J Putman, Clinton

DALLAS:  Pamela Klein, Adel; Abby N Meysenburg, Urbandale; Rita F. Reed, Waukee

DECATUR:  Jean Ann Caywood, Lamoni

DELAWARE: T.A. Sandberg, Manchester

DES MOINES:  Kathy Geren Christy, Burlington - Rodney Reeves Memorial Award
Also published: Rodney Reeves, Burlington
SCHOOL: Aila Plein, Gr6, Aldo Leopold Intermediate, Burlington - 3rd Place - Upper Grades
Also published: Elhaym Mueller, Gr6, Tia Keller, Gr6, both at Aldo Leopold Intermediate, Burlington;
Alexis Comiskey, Blakely Beliel, Gracelynn Routson, all Gr4, at Black Hawk Elem; Nora Vance, Gr4, Grimes Elem, Burlington

DICKINSON:  Roger Brockshus, Spirit Lake

DUBUQUE:  William Dall, Dubuque - 3rd HM, Haiku 
Also published: Denise Habel, Dyersville; Charlotte Ronek, Dyersville; Darci Werner, Dyersville
SCHOOL: Kiara Vasquez, Gr8, Eleanor Roosevelt MS, Dubuque

FAYETTE:  Angela Smith, Arlington

FLOYD:  Cathal-Marie Harmon, Prindiville

FRANKLIN:  Margaret Flint Suter, Hampton

FREMONT:  Sharon Rogers, Sidney
SCHOOL:  Kale Dawson, Gr 11, Hamburg Charter School, Hamburg 3rd Place, High School

GREENE:  Nancy Hanaman, Rippey - 1st HM, Poetry for Children 
Also published: Margaret Hamilton, Jefferson; Jed Magee, Jefferson

HENRY:  Vicky Dovenspike, Salem; Marilyn Vincent, Mt Pleasant

HOWARD:  Marjorie Dohlman, Riceville

HUMBOLDT:  Chris Schultz, Humboldt

IDA:  Stan Chisholm, Ida Grove

IOWA:  Thomas Havran, Amana - 1st HM, Grant Wood Poetry 
Also published: John Snethen, Williamsburg

JACKSON: 
SCHOOL:  Rafe Morris, Gr1, Cardinal Elem, Maquoketa - 3rd Place, Lower Grades
Belle Kiel, Gr1, Cardinal Elem, Maquoketa - 2nd HM, Lower Grades
Also published: Bradley Drury, Gr2, Bryant Simmons, Ensleigh Flenker, Fin Notz, all Gr1, Cardinal Elem, Maquoketa

JASPER:  Dawn Terpstra, Lynnville - 1st Place, Lucille Morgan Wilson Award; Pushcart Prize Nomination
Talbot Hook, Newton - 2nd HM, Haiku
Janet Carl, Grinnell - 3rd HM, National/World Events
Also published:  Kevin Hosbond, Kellogg; Elaine Mattingly, Newton; William P. Riddle, Colfax; Pat Underwood, Colfax
SCHOOL: Harper Boike, Gr4, Baxter Elem, Baxter

JEFFERSON:  Ali Arsanjani, Barbara Bloom, John W. Collinson, Maryam Daftari, Erma Dimmit, Bill Graeser, all of Fairfield

JOHNSON:  Karen Schmitt, Solon - 1st Place, Poetry For Children 
Also published: Tom Gingerich, Kalona; Patrick Hanson, North Liberty; Olivia Luhring, North Liberty; Lisa Magrane, North Liberty; Douglas L. Miller, Solon
CORALVILLE - Janvier Abramowitz, Gavin Lover, Richard K. Wallarab, Danielle Zimmerman
IOWA CITY -
Jo Ann Benda - 3rd HM, Poetry For Children
Milli Gilbaugh - 2nd Place, Humorous Verse 
Cecile Goding - 3rd HM, Traditional Forms
Carol Tyx - 2nd Place, National/World Events
Linda E Paul - 2nd HM, National/World Events
Also published: Philip Beck, Kathryn Chadima, David Duer, Tracy Edens, Brigittine French,  Mary Jedlicka Humston , Susan J Koch,  Liz Lynn Miller, Linda Muller, Patricia E. Noeth, Trudy Rosazza, Larry H Schroeder, Janet Skiff, Corinne Stanley 

JONES:  Hilary Naab, Monticello - 3rd Place, Humorous Verse
Also published: Faith Brehm, Monticello

KOSSUTH:  Eleanor Stenzel, Burt

LEE:  Jan Blankenburg, Donnellson - 2nd Place, Poetry For Children; 
Barbara Edler, Keokuk - 3rd HM, Grant Wood Poetry
Also published: Matthew Faulkner, Ft. Madison; Kathleen U. Hart, Ft, Madison; Jason Liegois, Ft. Madison; Tom Moeller, West Point

LINN:  Jim Hackett, Cedar Rapids - 2nd Place - Grant Wood Poetry Prize
Angela McGlothlen, Cedar Rapids - 1st HM, Haiku
Also published: Norbe Birosel Boettcher, Marion; Renee Corkery, Cedar Rapids; Karen Kladivo, Mount Vernon; Joan Daily Rammelsberg, Marion; Marie Sullivan, Cedar Rapids

LUCAS:
SCHOOL:  Annabelle Shoemate, Gr11, Chariton HS 1st HM, High School
Also published: Cristofer Enamorado, Ava Nickell, both Gr 11, Chariton HS

LYON:  Betty Medema, Rock Rapids; Sally J. Young, Little Rock 

MADISON: Kathy Meyer, Winterset - 1st Place - National/World Events 
Also published: Jerrold Narland, Winterset; Maggie Ripperger, Winterset

MAHASKA:  Pamela J Blomgren, River Campbell, Jared Pearce, Aideen Vega-Van Auken, all of Oskaloosa
SCHOOL:  Daniel Vandello, Gr 12, Oskaloosa HS

MARION:  Lauren Ernst, Melcher; Jay Immel, Knoxville; James H Rose, Pella

MILLS:  Hans Leitner, Malvern

MITCHELL:  Steven Thompson, Osage - 1st HM, Humorous Verse
Kathleen Stauffer, Osage - 1st HM, Traditional Forms
Also published:  Glenn Schuler, Osage
SCHOOL: Cadence Schwab, Gr6, Osage Community Schools, 1st Place, Upper Grades
Also published: Nora Harrell, Gr6, Osage Community Schools

MONONA:  Kelly Madigan, Castana - Special Award First-time Entrant, Pushcart Prize Nomination
Also published: Doug Chafa, Castana; Jean C. Conover, Mapleton

MUSCATINE:  Yvonne Breiner, Muscatine - 3rd Place, Poetry For Children
Also published: Pat Bieber, Duffy De France, Judith Lokenvitz, Rebecca Whitmore, all of Muscatine

O'BRIEN:  Mike Lindseth, Primghar - 2nd Place, Haiku
Also published: Nancy Hill, Sutherland; Nancy J. Peters, Sheldon; Carolyn Rohrbaugh, Sutherland

PLYMOUTH:  Jayne R. Vondrak, Kingsley; Janet A Wiener, Le Mars

POLK:
ANKENY - Joyce Allen, John Good, Di Runyan Mathis,
BONDURANT - Marvin W Morris, Patricia Tiffany Morris
SCHOOL: Aven Eddleman, Gr 5, Bondurant-Farrar Intermediate School - 3rd HM - Upper Grades
Also published: Paxten Hainline, Gr 7; Elizabeth Jones, Gr 7; Olivia Moritz, Gr 7; Tyler Weber, Gr 7; all at 
DES MOINES - Saaliyah Aalynn - 3rd Place, Slam
Heather Ann G Clark - 3rd HM, Lucille Morgan Wilson Award
Sandy Deyoe - Pushcart Prize Nomination
Sabur "C?ue" Muhammed - 1st Place, Slam
Alanna Clutter - 3rd HM, Humorous Verse
Richard Ramsey - 3rd Place, Grant Wood Poetry
Linda Shivvers - 2nd HM Poetry for Children
Aaron D Wiegert - 2nd Place, Lucille Morgan Wilson Award
Mike Wilson - 3rd Place, Traditional Forms
Phoebe Bubendorfer, Diane Glass, Frank Kutchen, Dennis Moore, Virginia Mortenson, Rosella Myles, Jane Chamberlain Olsasky, Ginnie Padden, Richard Ramsey, Linda Shivvers, Michael Wellman, Virginia K Westbrook, Maeva Wunn
GRIMES - Mary L. Permann
JOHNSTON - Lisa Morlock, Angela Evans, James Roth, Lou Ann Roth
URBANDALE - Beverly Boal, Sharon Ruth Hensley, Judy Nolan
WEST DES MOINES - Joy Neal Kidney - 1st HM, National/World Events
Shelly Reed Thieman - 3rd Place, Lucille Morgan Wilson Award; Pushcart Prize nomination
Caitlin Timmins - 2nd HM, Grant Wood Poetry
Also published: Elaine Erickson, John Mitchell, Tom Wenck
WINDSOR HEIGHTS - Daniel Nieland - 1st Place, Poetry For Children
SCHOOL:  Claudia Ortiz-Valencia (Des Moines, IA) Grand View Univ 2nd HM, College
Anchi Shaw, Gr 11, North HS - 1st Place - High School
Megan Guertin, Gr6, Bondurant-Farrar Intermediate - 2nd HM - Upper Grades
Avery Zivney, Gr5, Bondurant-Farrar Intermediate - 3rd HM - Upper Grades
Owen DeFont, Gr3,  Anderson Elem, Bondurant - 1st Place - Lower Grades
Adrianna Hill, Gr2, Anderson Elem, Bondurant - 2nd Place - Lower Grades
Collin Wesley, Gr3, Anderson Elem, Bondurant - 1st HM - Lower Grades
Rhett Davision, Gr3, Anderson Elem, Bondurant - 3rd HM - Lower Grades
Also published: Aven Eddleman, Ekeameh (Debra) Gaye, both Gr7, Bondurant-Farrar Intermediate; Brielle Carter, Gr4, Pierce Robb, Gr4, Elle Simpson, Gr4, Abigail Thurman, Gr3, Brynn Wipperman, Gr4, all at Anderson Elementary, Bondurant

POTTAWATTAMIE:  Janet Reiners, Marvin D. Vallier, and Robert D. Wambold; of Council Bluffs
SCHOOL: Olivia Johnson, Gr11, St Albert HS, Council Bluffs 2nd HM, High School
Molly Wise, Gr11, St Albert HS, Council Bluffs, 3rd HM, High School
Also published: Addison Chickering, Gr11,Rachel Julian, Gr11, Abigail Lewis, Gr9, All at St Albert Schools

POWESHIEK:  Scott Montgonery Marcum, Warren Reinecke, William Rudolph, of Grinnell
SCHOOL: Livia Stein Freitas (Curbita, Brazil) Grinnell College 2nd Place, College; Pushcart Prize Nomination
Wren Haenfler, Gr6, Grinnell MS, 2nd Place, Upper Grades
Maggie Lindberg, Gr6, Grinnell MS, 1st HM, Upper Grades
Also published: Alex Bond, (Lexington, KY) Grinnell College; River Heanfler, Gr10, Grinnell HS; Marilyn Karanja, Nora Laver, Seeger McCue, Gabriel Schirm, all Gr6 and Johanna McCue, Gr8, all at Grinnell MS, Grinnell

 SAC:  Marcia Haakenson, Lake View; Jacquie Marietta, Sac City

SCOTT:  Dale G Haake, Davenport - 2nd HM Lucille Morgan Wilson Award
Also published: Joe Chambers, William Hudson, Barbara J Thompson, all of Davenport; Zahra Basti, Shea Doyle, of Bettendorf

SIOUX:  Philip Shippy, Lynn Wielenga, both of Sioux Center
SCHOOL:  Malachi Myers, (Marion, SD), Dordt Univ, Sioux Center - 1st Place - College
Clark Stiemsma, (Sioux Center), Dordt Univ, Sioux Center - 3rd Place - College
Tim DeVries, (Lake Geneva, WI) Dordt Univ, Sioux Center - 1st HM - College
Marika Moore, (Alcester, SD) Dordt Univ, Sioux Center - 3rd HM - College
Also published: Meysi Pennings (Sioux Center), Rebecca Peterson (Moorhead, MN), Aubrey Kuiper (Orange City), Elizabeth Brouwer (Pella), all students at Dordt University, Sioux Center
 
STORY:  Deborah Lewis, Kathleen Russell, Maggie Westvold, all of Ames; Suzanna de Baca, Huxley

TAYLOR:  
SCHOOL:  Lea Campbell, Karson Cole, Grant Gould, All Gr9 at Bedford HS, Bedford; Kinsey McCalla and Owen Kirsch, both Gr7, at Bedford MS, Bedford

UNION:  Joshua Borgmann, Creston - 2nd HM, Traditional Forms
Also published: Sharon Eklund, Afton

VAN BUREN:  Dale Netherton, Farmington
SCHOOL:  Joel Stalcup Jr, Gr6, Homeschool, Stockport

WAPELLO:  Emily Randolph, Ottumwa

WARREN: Roberta Beach Jacobson, Indianola - 3rd Place, Haiku
Also published: Stephen Brayton, Carlisle; Julie Allyn Johnson, Norwalk; Lesley Montgomery, Norwalk; Jim Mouchka, Norwalk; Lynn Robbins, Norwalk; Steve Rose, Indianola; Mary Shaw, Indianola

WASHINGTON:  Erin Cavanagh, Wellman; LeAnn Kunz, Washington

WAYNE:  Dylan Jones, Corydon

WEBSTER:  Martha J Christians, Lehigh

WINNESHIEK: Devin Creek, Calmar

WOODBURY:  Peggy George, Sioux City; Charles (Bill) McKenny, Sioux City; Steve Mulfinger, Hornick


LYRICAL IOWA COMPETITION 2025

ADULT CONTEST RESULTS:

LUCILLE MORGAN WILSON AWARD:  JUDGE: Christine Stewart-Nunez, Winnipeg, MB Canada (568 entries)
1st - Dawn Terpstra; Lynnville
2nd - Aaron D Wiegert; Des Moines
3rd - Shelly Reed Thieman; West Des Moines
1st HM - Douglas L Miller; Solon
2nd HM - Dale G Haake; Davenport
3rd HM - Heather Ann G Clark; Des Moines

SPECIAL AWARD FIRST-TIME ENTRANT:
Kelly Madigan; Castana

GRANT WOOD COUNTRY POETRY AWARD:  JUDGE: Iowa Poet Laureate Vince Gotera, Waterloo, IA (25 entries)
1st - Lori Culbertson Harris; Cedar Falls
2nd - Jim Hackett; Cedar Rapids
3rd - Richard Ramsey; Des Moines
1st HM - Thomas Havran; Amana
2nd HM - Caitlin Timmins; West Des Moines
3rd HM - Barbara Edler; Keokuk

TRADITIONAL FORMS:  JUDGE: John Sibley Williams, Milwaukie, OR (31 entries)
1st - Lori Shannon; Manning
2nd - Erin Caldwell; Cedar Falls
3rd - Mike Wilson; Des Moines
1st HM - Kathleen Stauffer; Osage
2nd HM - Joshua Borgmann; Creston
3rd HM - Cecile Goding; Iowa City

HAIKU:  JUDGE: Michael Dylan Welch, Sammamish, WA (122 entries)
1st - Ashley WolfTornabane; Storm Lake
2nd - Mike Lindseth; Primghar
3rd - Roberta Beach Jacobson; Indianola
1st HM - Angela McGlothlen; Cedar Rapids
2nd HM - Talbot Hook; Newton
3rd HM - William Dall; Dubuque

FOR CHILDREN:  JUDGE: Dorothia Rohner, Eyota, MN (40 entries)
1st - Daniel Nieland; Windsor Heights
2nd - Jan Blankenburg; Donnellson
3rd - Yvonne Breiner; Muscatine
1st HM - Nancy Hanaman; Rippey
2nd HM - Linda Shivvers; Des Moines
3rd HM - Jo Ann Benda; Iowa City

NATIONAL/WORLD EVENTS:  JUDGE:  Robbin Farr, Doylestown PA (27 entries)
1st - Kathy Meyer; Winterset
2nd - Carol Tyx; Iowa City
3rd - Robert P Hansen; Brayton
1st HM - Joy Neal Kidney;West Des Moines
2nd HM - Linda E Paul; Iowa City
3rd HM - Janet Carl; Grinnell

HUMOROUS:  JUDGE: Matt Mason, Omaha, NE (64 entries)
1st - Karen Schmitt; Solon
2nd - Milli Gilbaugh; Iowa City
3rd - Hilary Naab; Monticello
1st HM - Steven Thompson; Osage
2nd HM - Audrey Mueller; DeWitt
3rd HM - Alanna Clutter; Des Moines

RODNEY REEVES MEMORIAL AWARD:
Kathy Geren Christy; Oskaloosa

SCHOOL DIVISION RESULTS:  

COLLEGE: JUDGE:  Katie Ford, South Pasadena, CA (84 entries)
1st - Malachi Myers, Marion,SD, Dordt University
2nd - Livia Stein Freitas, Curitiba, Brazil, Grinnell College
3rd - Clark Stiemsma, Sioux Center, IA, Dordt University
1st HM - Tim DeVries, Lake Geneva, WI, Dordt University
2nd HM - Claudia Ortiz-Valencia, Des Moines,Grand View U
3rd HM - Marika Moore, Alcester, SD, Dordt University

HIGH SCHOOL:  JUDGE:  Levi Lyle, Keota, IA (164 entries)
1st - Annchi Shaw, Gr11, North HS, Des Moines
2nd - Jordan McCool, Gr10, Atlantic HS, Atlantic
3rd - Kale Dawson, Gr11, Hamburg Charter School,Hamburg
1st HM - Annabelle Shoemate, Gr11, Chariton HS, Chariton
2nd HM - Olivia Johnson, Gr11, St Albert HS, Council Bluffs
3rd HM - Molly Wise, Grade 11, St Albert HS, Council Bluffs

UPPER GRADES (5-8):   JUDGE: Robert Schinzel, Argyle TX (288 entries)
1st - Cadence Schwab, Gr6, Osage Comm. School, Osage
2nd - Wren Haenfler, Gr6, Grinnell MS, Grinnell
3rd - Aila Plein, Gr6, Aldo Leopold Intermediate, Burlington
1st HM - Maggie Lindberg, Gr6, Grinnell MS, Grinnell
2nd HM - Megan Guertin, Gr6, Bondurant-Farrar, Bondurant
3rd HM - Avery Zivney, Gr5, Bondurant-Farrar, Bondurant

LOWER GRADES (K-4):  JUDGE: Robert Schinzel, Argyle TX (114 entries) 
1st - Owen DeFont, Gr3, Anderson Elem, Bondurant
2nd - Adrianna Hill, Gr4, Anderson Elem, Bondurant
3rd - Rafe Morriss, Gr1, Cardinal Elem, Maquoketa
1st HM - Collin Wesley, Gr3, Anderson Elem, Bondurant
2nd HM - Belle Kiel, Gr1, Cardinal Elem, Maquoketa
3rd HM - Rhett Davison, Gr3, Anderson Elem, Bondurant

Nominations for the 2026 Pushcart Prize
The Pushcart Prize series, published every year since 1976, is the most honored literary project in America. Since 1976, hundreds of presses and thousands of writers of short stories, poetry and essays have been represented in their annual collections. IPA's Editor-in-chief and Associate Editors have collaborated to select nominees from this year's Lyrical Iowa 2025. The list of poems is presented in alphabetical order by author's last name.

Our nominees for the 2026 Pushcart Prize are:
Sandy Deyoe, Des Moines - "grief is a tuna fish sandwich"
Livia Stein Freitas, Curitiba, Brazil (Grinnell College) - "Two-pew Chapel on Iowa Highway 6"
Kelly Madigan, Castana - "Long Drive"
Delia Ralston, Waterloo - "Softly rise and gently fall"
Dawn Terpstra, Lynnville- "penumbra"
Shelly Reed Thieman, West Des Moines - "Olympus OM-1 Snapshot, 1975"

Books may be ordered from IPA while the supply lasts. Cost is $15 per copy (plus shipping) to anywhere in the United States. Books from some previous years are also available. Check for details at iowapoetry.org or contact the editor at ipa@iowapoetry.com.