Category Archives: Uncategorized

April is my birthday month! And the villanelle is my favorite form. So this month, the contest prompt is to write a villanelle incorporating at least one of the following: Glitter Peonies Oolong tea The beach A word in a language other than English Spaghetti carbonara Craftsman furniture Cedar Point Email your poem to allyson@allysonwhipple.comContinue reading “April Poetry Contest: Villanelle”

While I mostly write in free verse, most of my poet friends know that I love form. In fact, even in my free verse, I usually incorporate some formal aspect… Something that my MFA thesis advisor and I butted heads about on a regular basis! Even though I don’t regularly write with rhyme and meter,Continue reading “Let’s Spend a Year Studying Form”

Getting to go to Sea Rim State Park for spring break Beach camping The fact that we got to go camping at all for the first time in over a year I’ve gotten both of my COVID shots I’ve been enjoying participating in the March Matness Pilates challenge

I received a record number of entries this month! I think that the theme of equanimity resonated with a number of readers. This month, I am excited to announce that we have our first international winner! Ojo Taiye is a Nigerian poet whose work appears in the Rumpus, Glass Poetry Journal, and a number ofContinue reading “March Poetry Contest Winner”

I got my first COVID vaccine! My Letterkenny-themed welcome mat. That many businesses in Austin are still requiring masks. Free Girl Scout cookies. Finally having the time and space to cook something from Flavors of Aloha tonight.

March is the month of the spring equinox. My favorite equinox memory is when my 9th grade geography teacher brought Double-Stuff Oreos for all of her students, because they had equal parts light and dark. (Apparently the true balance of this particular cookie has been debunked, but it remains a wonderful memory nonetheless.) For theContinue reading “March Poetry Contest: Equanimity”

I’m scheduled to get my first COVID vaccine tomorrow! Leftover lasagna for breakfast. Living in a place where I can pay my rent online. The egg and chorizo torta at the Mexican food trailer up the street Homemade kimchi in my fridge

That you can (usually) light gas stoves even when the power is out. That we had emergency bags filled with water and other supplies. The way the neighborhood came together to help each other out. Being able to charge my phone off of my portable car jump starter. Being able to flush the toilet again.

Another month, another delayed contest result. This time it was the fault of the Texas Snowpocalypse! I’m glad to be on the other side of that and getting things back on track. This month’s winner is Peter H. Schmidt. His golden shovel, “Rise Up,” draws from John Gillespie Magee’s “High Flight,” as well as “MyContinue reading “February Poetry Contest Winner”

Having a dishwasher for the first time in seven years. For the first time in my life, having a space where I don’t have to take into account anyone else’s needs. My neighborhood Buy Nothing group. Much better lighting in the new place. Being in walking distance of Monkey Nest Coffee