2021 – Wm Barney Chapbook winner: Loretta Diane Walker
“From the Cow’s Eyes and Other Poems”
The judge, Manny English, said: “…one can feel that the author has experienced life from different perspectives and possesses deep emotions that are searching for understanding.”

Poetry Society of Texas
2021 – 65th Annual Awards Banquet
PST 100th Anniversary and Annual Awards Banquet
Friday and Saturday—November 5th and 6th of 2021
DoubleTree by Hilton (Near the Galleria)
4099 Valley View Lane—Dallas, Texas 75244
Phone: 972-385-9000
See PDF attached
NOTE: If you entered the contests and you are a first place winner,
you will still receive an ePostcard (or real postcard) from
Beth Ayers, the Event Chair.
Catherine L’Herisson was the winner of the 2020 William D. Barney Memorial Chapbook Contest sponsored by the Fort Worth Poetry Society in cooperation with the Poetry Society of Texas. Here’s what the judge said about Catherine’s prize-winning work: “I loved (this) chapbook . . . There were some really good chapbooks submitted, but I kept coming back to (this one.) It was clearly the best. I’d love to get a printed copy when it is published.”David Allen, Poetry Society of Indiana, retired journalist,Judge, 2020 William D. Barney Chapbook Contest. Catherine’s book is available on Amazon at: https://tinyurl.com/y4og58hq
For members only and chapter members. Those interested can use the FB Search box, or go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1716998431803434
Facebook: Poetry Society of Texas — For Members
The annual Catherine Case Lubbe Manuscript Contest for 2019 was awarded to J. Todd Hawkins for This Geography of Thorns: Blues Poetry from the Mississippi Delta & Beyond. It has been the practice of PST to introduce the book at the summer conference. Todd’s book was to have had a splendid debut at that time with his presence to autograph copies. It is now available at http://www.jtoddhawkins.com/bookstore.html.

Adam Tavel, professor of English at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury MD, director of the Echoes & Visions Reading Series, and judge for the 2019 Lubbe contest, writes:
Haunted, meditative, and lyrical, This Geography of Thorns takes readers on an engrossing, Dantesque sojourn through the American south in search of that most authentic of American artforms: the blues. To call this book a mere homage to the blues, however, would be a disservice to its heart, its sophistication, and its astute avoidance of cliché. … [It is] an impressive collection, but these poems offer far more. First and foremost, they recognize the grim historical legacies of both slavery and sharecropping, honoring the tenacity of African-American communities to make art in the face of oppression, injustice, and terror. … [P]age after page stuns with rich descriptions of southern landscapes, reminding us that poetry, music, and our very survival are inescapably rooted in the survival of our ecology.
The poems offer vignettes of the 1930s as well as of today’s South with an affection palpable in each line. The collection goes beyond the impressive writing and raises its voice to encourage positive social awareness—appreciation, acceptance, and equality in the search for beauty and meaning.
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Official Notice of Cancellation of the Summer Conference
51st Annual Summer Conference – July 2020
The 2020 Summer Conference has been cancelled.
This was not a step lightly taken but with the current circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty about the future, the officers and Board of PST believes that this is in the best interest of the organization and its membership. The Radisson has been very understanding and has accepted our cancellation and agreed to return 100% of our initial deposit. PST will not lose a penny over this decision.
We are all very sad that this step was necessary but the health and safety of our members take precedence in this situation. If even one person contracted the virus as a result of a conference that would be too many. In addition, we cannot be sure that the Radisson would have a full staff to meet our needs.
Steve Sanders
Publicity Committee
Poetry Society of Texas
2019 Student Award Winners
Posted on by JDarrell
Click on link to see list of winners.
PST STUDENT WINNERS – 2020Posted in UncategorizedEdit
Loretta Diane Walker Inducted into Texas Institute of Letters
Posted on by JDarrell
Loretta Diane Walker Honored
INDUCTION INTO THE TEXAS INSTITUTE OF LETTERS 2020
Posted in UncategorizedEdit
2019 Annual Contests
Posted on by JDarrell
The PST 2019 Annual Contests Results are on the Publications tab, under Bulletins, November 2019.
The contests are now closed. Our Annual Awards Banquet was on Nov. 9, 2019.Posted in UncategorizedEdit
2018 Annual Award Winners
Posted on by JDarrell
Congratulations to all of the 2018 Annual Awards Winners! Thank you to all who entered!Posted in UncategorizedEdit
2017 Annual Contest Winners
Posted on by JDarrell
The 2017 Annual Contest Winners have been announced! Click to download the PDF list. Congratulations to all who placed!Posted in UncategorizedEdit
Now Available: A History of Poetry Society of Texas
Posted on by JDarrellBudd Mahan’s book on the history of PST has been printed. Copies are available for $15.00 from Budd at 7059 Spring Valley Road, Dallas, TX 75254.
Posted in UncategorizedEdit
PST Member J. Paul Holcomb Proclaimed Lewisville’s First Poet Laureate
Posted on by JDarrell
PST member and councilor J. Paul Holcomb has been proclaimed Lewisville’s first poet laureate. To read more details, view the article by Sylvia Medel.
Congratulations, Paul!Posted in Uncategorized