SHELTER ISLAND., NY — The winners of a contest honoring a favorite Shelter Island poet have been announced.
According to the Shelter Island Library, the Bliss Morehead Grant Committee has shared the winners of the 3rd annual Bliss Morehead Poetry Grant Contest. The theme for 2024 was 'Hope and Grace'.
Emily O'Reilly of Montauk won first place for her poem “Legacy,” the library said. O'Reilly will receive the $1,000 Bliss Morehead grant on Friday, April 26, during the Shelter Island Public Library's Poetry Project.
Honorable mentions go to: “Five Days Old,” by Edward Brennan of Shelter Island. “Ode to a Single-Scull Boat,” by Ella Carriero of Remsenburg. and “Pentimento,” by Bethany Moore of Shelter Island.
The Bliss Morehead Poetry Grant was established in 2022 by Mike Zisser to honor Bliss Morehead, Shelter Island poet and creator of the annual Shelter Island Poetry Project.
Aspiring poets from the East End are encouraged to submit their original, unpublished poems on a chosen theme. This year's competition is judged by Irene Cornell, Charity Robey and Virginia Walker.