B.C. POET WINS ARC'S TOP PRIZE

Harold Rhenish of 100 Mile Ranch, B.C., has won the 2003 Poem of the Year Contest, it was announced today in Ottawa. The prize, sponsored by Arc: Canada's National Poetry Magazine, carries a cash award of $1,000. Rhenish's poem, "Tao Hill," won over approximately 1,000 entries. His ninth book of poetry, Free Will, a series of poetic riffs on the theatre, will be published in 2004.

Edmonton poet Jannie Edwards took second prize ($750) for her poem, "The Raven Tango Poms" and Deanna Young of Ottawa won third place ($500) for her poem, "Swimming Lessons." Edwards first book of poetry is The Possibilities of Thirst. She teaches at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton. Young's second book of poems, Drunkard's Path, was published by Gaspereau Press in 2001. This is the second consecutive year in which Young took third prize in the Poem of the Year Contest.

This year's judge, Derk Wynand of Vancouver, B.C., has published eleven collections of poetry. His translations of German poet Dorothea Grünzweig appeared in a bilingual edition published by BuschekBooks in 2002. Wynand also chose two honourable mentions: "Fish Tale" by R. Johnson and "Metaphysical Weather Report" by Bill Howell.

"The Poem of the Year Contest, now in its eighth year, attracted entries from 350 poets from across the country, as well as from the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.

The winning poems will be published in the Winter 2003 of the magazine (Arc 51; release date: November 13). Eight additional poems from the 50 shortlisted poems, chosen one each by Arc editors, will be published, as well: "Natasha Shtempel and the Evacuation of Voronezh" by Rafi Aaron, "Zen Mercies/Small Satories" by Marianne Bluger, "Another Rhapsody" by Marlene Cookshaw, "escapegoatfish" by Susan Cormier, "Day Four" by Joseph Dandurand, "How Cattle Herding is a Slowdance" by Brecken Rose Hancock, "The Spiritualists and After" by Sharon McCarthy and "Witness" by Patricia Porter.

In addition to the prize winners, honourable mentions, and Editor's Choice poets, Arc also congratulates the authors of the 50 poems that made the shortlist of finalists. Arc thanks all entrants to the Poem of the Year Contest for their support.

For further information:

John Barton, Co-Editor, or Barbara Myers, Contests and Awards Officer, at arc.poetry@cyberus.ca