#21 Texas Trios

ASSIGNMENT PURPOSE

The purpose of this assignment is to invite poets to compose and submit poems that use sets of three as their formal and thematic guide. For example, poems might have three lines or three stanzas. The poem might be a series of three-lined stanzas. Poems might be in sets of three; that is, the poet might submit three separately titled poems in a series on a similar topic. Three poets might submit a poem each on an agreed-upon topic and/or structure. The theme or topic of the poem might address the “threeness” of some aspect of the natural world, human behavior, or spirituality. Other trio arrangements in topic and form are surely also possible.

EXAMPLES

See the poems published so far.

FORMAL INTERESTS

We are specifically interested in poems that demonstrate careful attention to the elements of shape, line, music, comparison, and balance, and especially how those choices contribute to the cooperative harmony of structure and sentiment in the poem.

Poems that do not meet these interests may be declined. For more on this perspective, see the five formal causes of beauty in poetry.

We also challenge you to consider new choices you might take in audience and poetic form as it pertains to aspects of narrative perspective, shape, sound, repetition, and enjambment.

HOW TO SUBMIT

Poetry submissions should be saved in Microsoft Word document format and composed in Times New Roman, 12 point font. They should be attached to an email to editor@texaspoetryassignment.org and include within the body of the email a brief cover letter and a 50-word biography.

ACCEPTANCE AND PUBLICATION

This call is open through April 30, 2022. Accepted poems will be published beginning March 1, 2022.

PUBLICATION RIGHTS

Writers will retain all rights to their work published on this site.