special to the World Journal
COLORADO — Pulitzer Prize winning American Poet Mary Oliver once likened the craft of writing a poem to a love affair between the heart and the conscious mind. This expression underlies the origination of the Colorado Hearts and Minds Poetry Contest.
The number 64 was inspiration for the contest created by Huerfano County, Colorado residents, Janice Walters and Ben Wiley. There will be 64 winners, representing residents of as many of Colorado’s 64 counties as possible. Furthermore, a total of $6,400 in prize money will be awarded by the contest sponsors.
The competition will be conducted over seven rounds, with all poems to be submitted by June 30, 2022. The 64 first-round winners will earn $50 each. Subsequent round awardees will receive an additional $50 each time they win a round, leading up to the Grand Prize.
All Colorado residents are eligible to enter, with signature of parent/guardian required for entrants under 18 years of age.
Contest rules and entry instructions are available by contacting: fourshoeswalking@gmail.com
