Long after the last poem was shared at our 2023 Parkmont Poetry Festival Reading on April 29th, listeners were turning the pages of the winners’ booklet to revisit the words of the 40 winning poets. It was an afternoon full of the dreams, fears, visions, and memories of young writers from all corners of the District. They attend area public, private, and charter schools in grades 6-12, and each of them took to the podium and held the Sanctuary rapt in their unfolding words. The students’ winning poems can be read by selecting their image in our 2023 gallery of winners or by downloading the 2023 booklet here.
In our 38-year history, 2020 marked the first year that we did not assemble in fellowship and solidarity to support our winning poets as they shared their verse at the podium. In lieu of our in-person Festival and Reading, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 2, the 38th annual Parkmont Poetry Festival celebrated our 40 winners by compiling videos of each poet reading their winning verse.
