95 poets submitted entries to our Santa Clara County poets gathering. Not everyone submitted three poems, but most did. So there were about 275 poems. All poets were given a number, the number was affixed to one copy of each of their poems, and the poems put in a great pile. Then they were read anonymously. All of the poems were read at least twice. From that number, 30 poems were chosen, and from the 30 the final winners will be picked.
The choosing was not easy. There were many good poems. So here are some of the guidelines that were put into effect. A poet could only have one poem in the final 30, though some poets had more than one worthy poem. The emphasis was on poems that had something to say about our county. So some poems were not chosen because they seemed too personal and some poems were not chosen because their subject matter seemed too far afield. There were a few subjects, such as the homeless, that drew several poems. I thought it best to just to pick one. Many of these were good poems that will find homes elsewhere.
There will be further announcements about this gathering of poems including the names of the winners. Thank all of you who submitted poems and thank all of you who choose to read them. It is a fine way to learn about ourselves.
To check a poem a day, beginning April 1, 2010, visit http://www.nilspetersonpoet.wordpress.com/.
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