We thank everyone for their poetry submissions to the NY Literary Magazine, and are excited to present the winners of our “AWAKE” Best Poetry Contest!

Winners of the Sad, Dark Poetry Category

1st Place Winner: “Darkness’ Morn” by Dana Cheer
2nd Place Winner: “A Plea By Lamplight” by Nina Athena Radke
3rd Place Winner: “My December” by Katie Lynn

Winners of the Sociopolitical Poetry Category

1st Place Winner: “Don’t Shoot” by Rutendo C C

Winners of the Poems about Death Category

1st Place Winner: “Sister Blue” by Brenda Davis Harsham
2nd Place Winner: “Triptych” by Lorcán Black

Winners of the Poems about Life Category

1st Place Winner: “Tick-Tock” by LaToya Ann Jackson Talley
2nd Place Winner: “Dirty Laundry” by Bob Shakeshaft

Winners of the Love Poetry Category

1st Place Winner: “Ever” by Aracelly P. Campo
2nd Place Winner: “Drop Your Mask” by Maria Thompson Corley
3rd Place Winner: “Ode to My Body” by Natalie Swain

Winners of the Family Poems Category

1st Place Winner: “The Womb Connect” by Puja Bhakoo
2nd Place Winner: “A Christmas Card” by Laura Rahill

Winners of the Religious Poetry Category

1st Place Winner: “My God Loves Me” by Debra S Joseph

Finalists who are awarded the “5 Star Writer” award

  • “Fever” by Louisa Heno
  • “Unfit” by Ron Walker
  • “Time” by Robert Black
  • “Awake at Night” by Palma Mingozzi
  • “A Joke at Midnight” by Arnab Mukhopadhyay
  • “Sad December Moon” by Marjon van Bruggen
  • “A Christmas Poem” by Tony Sciarini

The winners and finalists will be published in the NY Literary Magazine’s “AWAKE” poetry anthology.

Our poetry contest winners may download and share their award seal on their social accounts, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, writer’s accounts etc.

Are you a gifted poet? Join the NY Literary Magazine’s free to enter poetry competitions!