#18: The Governor Poems

Open through Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

ASSIGNMENT PURPOSE

The purpose of this assignment is to call for poems that comment in some way upon the race for the Governor of Texas, 2022-2026.

These poems may be addressed to the candidates, provide historical and cultural perspectives, focus on a specific statewide issue, describe the current political climate, or depict a particular moment in the campaign. Other uses of poetry to respond to this race certainly exist as well, including poetic explorations of the range of emotions from progressive attitudes and hopeful energy to political despair and cynicism about systemic inequities.

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 Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Accepted poems will be published as received.

PUBLICATION RIGHTS

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