2016 Contest Winners

First Place Winner

"Hello, Kidney Disease"
By Rebekka Paulsen

If my father is who you want,

then here are sore muscles and swollen veins.

Here are the scars ripping

across his chest, the pains tearing

through his organs.

Here is the shelled soul downing

Lay’s chips on the leather sofa. I challenge you

to end it now, while he still has his senses.

Go ahead, dare to seep into his skin, his cells. Because here, kidney disease,

here is where he waits to be reintroduced to you.

The man you seek,

take him, if you must. 

Second Place Winner

Kelvin Hernandez - "The Truth of the Bicycle"

Third Place Winner

Tatyana Byrd - "Golden Beauties" 

Honorable Mentions

Shari Douglass - “Sandra Speaks”

Kim Huynh - “Where I’m From”

Braxton James - “Young Hood Struggle”

Sam McCullough - “Grandpa Ed”

Vivian Ngo - “When Will I Have My Own Final Draft?”

Harper S. Villani - “Numb”

Yelena Voronin - “L’hiver”