From the Society

The Society of Classical Poets Journal XIV has been published! It features poetry, translations, and essays selected from those published on the SCP website between February 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026.  The Journal also features exquisite art created by living artists who are at the top of the fine...

  The Society of Classical Poets is proud to announce the publication of Homer's civilization-defining classic The Odyssey, translated by Michael Solot, edited by Andrew Benson Brown, and spectacularly illuminated with hand-drawn illustrations by Aedan Kennedy. Mr. Solot's enchanting metered and often alliterative translation and his dedication to effective storytelling...

. First Prize: $2,000. Publication on the Society's website and Journal. . Submission Fee: $20 (The fee comes with a free subscription to our monthly e-Newsletter.) . Submit: One to three poems on any topic. Altogether, the poems should total 108 lines or less. First click here to pay the...

. First Prize: $200. Publication in the Society's website and The Society of Classical Poets Journal. . Submission Fee: $5 (The fee comes with a free subscription to our monthly e-Newsletter.) . Submit: One poem on any topic after you pay the $5 submission fee. The poem should be no...

. Request for Expression of Interest SCP Poet Russel Winick has graciously agreed to host an in-person SCP Symposium at his large residence in Naperville, Illinois. The tentative dates are from the evening of Friday, Sept. 5 to the evening of Saturday Sept. 6. It would include poetry readings, discussions,...

. Report on Results of the SCP Survey of Poets by Roy E. Peterson and Evan Mantyk The survey had 60 respondents, about 1/3rd of them were SCP Members. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of basic poetry elements. This was their rating: . Meter Importance: 93% ranked this...

. The SCP Poetry Competition Winners’ Symposium Join the Symposium here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4772266878?pwd=V0lGeUFuSGFkeExOaTM4NlZ6NWRlUT09   You're Invited!  Who: Everyone is invited to attend, Members and non-members alike Date: Saturday, June 28 Time: 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) Location: Live on Zoom. Link will be provided on the day on the SCP website. Host:...

. This survey is open to Society Member and non-Members alike. Designed by Roy E. Peterson and Evan Mantyk of the Society of Classical Poets to gain insights into views and tastes in the emerging movement to return to traditional poetry with meter and often rhyme. Your responses will remain...

. The Society of Classical Poets Journal XIII has been published! It features poetry, translations, and essays selected from those published on the SCP website between February 1, 2024 and January 31, 2025.  The Journal also features exquisite art created by living artists who are at the top of the...

. The SCP has just learned of the passing of Canadian Member poet Lionel Willis on December 28, 2023. He had been contributing his work since 2021, starting after his wife passed away in 2020.  He is survived by his two sons and three grandchildren. The SCP sends its condolences...

. The Society of Classical Poets Journal XII has been published! It features poetry, translations, and essays selected from those published on the SCP website between February 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024. See the Introduction and Table of Contents below. The Journal also features exquisite color art created by...

. The Best Poems of 2023: Winners of the 12th Annual SCP International Poetry Competition Judges Joseph S. Salemi, James Sale, Evan Mantyk, Sally Cook, James A. Tweedie, Susan Jarvis Bryant, Adam Sedia, C.B. Anderson, Reid McGrath Based on the poems, all written in 2023, excluding poems by judges, submitted...

. But the great Master said, "I see No best in kind, but in degree; I gave a various gift to each, To charm, to strengthen, and to teach." ---Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "The Singers" First Prize: $2,000. Publication on the Society's website and Journal. . Submission Fee: $20 (The fee...

. Below is the SCP Journal XI Introduction written by lead editor and SCP co-founder Evan Mantyk. After the Introduction is the complete first section of poems and art from Journal XI. Other Journal XI editors include C.B. Anderson, Dusty Grein, and Daniel Magdalen. Click here to purchase a complete...

. The Society of Classical Poets Journal XI has been published! It features poetry, translations, and essays selected from those published on the SCP website between February 1, 2022 and January 31, 2023. See a complete list of poetry, art, essays, and reviews below. It also features exquisite color art...

The Best Poems of 2022: Winners of the 11th Annual SCP International Poetry Competition Judges Joseph S. Salemi, James Sale, Evan Mantyk Past First Place Winners James A. Tweedie (2021) Susan Jarvis Bryant (2020) Joseph Charles MacKenzie (2019) Adam Sedia (2018) C.B. Anderson (2017) James Sale (2016) Ron L. Hodges...

. The Society of Classical Poets Journal X has been published! It features poetry, translations, and essays selected from those published on the SCP website between February 1, 2021 and January 31, 2022. See a complete list of poetry, art, essays, and reviews below. It also features exquisite color art...

Judges Angela Alaimo O’Donnell James Sale . OVERALL WINNER . Papa’s Commedia by Nicholas Walz That was hellish—the hulking chopper plunging Through the top: the battered fuselage yawed, Dipped, and dove, while like a lunging weed-eater, The stuttering, feckless blade chawed the trees. There’s no war, nor downed helicopter now....

The Best Poems of 2021: Winners of the 10th Annual International SCP Poetry Competition JudgesJoseph S. SalemiJames SaleEvan Mantyk Past First Place Winners Susan Jarvis Bryant (2020)Joseph Charles MacKenzie (2019) Adam Sedia (2018) C.B. Anderson (2017) James Sale (2016) Ron L. Hodges (2015)Reid McGrath (2014)Bruce Dale Wise (2013)Alan Nordstrom (2012) Based...

. First Place ($200 Prize) Alex Rubstein, 12th grade, homeschooled, Canton Aargau, Switzerland "Civis Romanus Sum" . Second Place Ellie Strano, 9th grade student homeschooled in Lexington, Massachusetts. “The View from Space” Hannah Yee, 9th grade student homeschooled in Massachusetts. “Sonnet 1 (In Theory, Real)” . Third Place A.S. Chuba,...

100 Days of Dante Poetry Contest Sponsored by the Calvin Center for Faith & Writing with the Society of Classical Poets . . Introduction 100 Days of Dante is a collaborative resource aimed at educating readers and forming new readers of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Through videos that explore its literary,...

. You are invited to a reading of exquisite poetry and conversations with the poets. This reading is part of a quarterly series of online poetry readings planned for 2021-2022. . Date & Time Sunday December 12, 2021 2 p.m. (New York time), 7 p.m. (U.K. time) Duration: 1 hour...

Held on September 19, 2021, hosted by James Sale. See full poetry details below the video: https://youtu.be/57lYz8tJtjM?t=3 Featured Poets “On Antifa, Coming to the Country” by Reid McGrath “Stealth Warfare” by Damian Robin “Mastering Magic” by Mike Bryant “Woman Is” by Don Shook, read by Michael Pietrack “Woman Is (Also)”...

Winner and Runners-up of the Society of Classical Poets 2021 Haiku Competition Judged by Margaret Coats (see her remarks below) See all entrants here. . WINNER . Fog enshrouds the nightWoven in the heavy mistA thread of fireflies ---Joe Tessitore . . RUNNERS-UP in seasonal order . Spring in the hedgerowsMagpies...

. WINNERS ANNOUNCED HERE. "Select, all ye who write, a subject fit, A subject not too mighty for your wit! Before you lay your shoulders to the wheel, Weigh well their strength, and all their weakness feel!" ---Horace (65-8 B.C.) First Prize: $2,000. Publication on the Society's website and Journal....

“Select, all ye who write, a subject fit, A subject not too mighty for your wit! Before you lay your shoulders to the wheel, Weigh well their strength, and all their weakness feel!” —Horace (65-8 B.C.) First Prize: $200. Publication in the Society's website and The Society of Classical Poets...

“Select, all ye who write, a subject fit, A subject not too mighty for your wit! Before you lay your shoulders to the wheel, Weigh well their strength, and all their weakness feel!” —Horace (65-8 B.C.) First Prize: $100. Publication in the Society's website and The Society of Classical Poets...

. You are invited to a reading of exquisite poetry and conversations with the poets. This reading is part of a quarterly series of online poetry readings planned for 2021-2022. . Date & Time Sunday September 19, 2021 2 p.m. (New York time), 7 p.m. (U.K. time) Duration: 1 hour...

. The Society of Classical Poets Journal IX has been published. It features poetry selected from poetry published on the SCP website between February 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021. It also features exquisite color art created by living artists who are at the top of the fine arts field...

. For teachers seeking a quick solution, see 10 Great Poems for Teaching in High School Classrooms. Introduction to Poetry Illuminating yet mysterious, exciting yet elegant: classical poetry never goes out of style. From the lyrics in people's favorite songs to Robert Frost's nature-themed poems to Basho's haiku to Shakespeare's...

. Videos of this event now available here. You are invited to a reading of exquisite poetry and conversations with the poets. This reading is part of a quarterly series of online poetry readings planned for 2021-2022. . Sunday May 23, 2021 2 p.m. (New York time), 7 p.m. (U.K....

Dear SCP Members and Readers, Poet Leo Zoutewelle died on March 11, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina under the care of Presbyterian Hospital hospice. He was born on December 19, 1935 in Holland and grew up while Holland was occupied by Nazi Germany. He emigrated to the United States after...

The Best Poems of 2020: Winners of the 9th Annual International SCP Poetry Competition JudgesJoseph S. SalemiJames SaleEvan Mantyk Past First Place Winners Joseph Charles MacKenzie (2019) Adam Sedia (2018) C.B. Anderson (2017) James Sale (2016) Ron L. Hodges (2015), Reid McGrath (2014), Bruce Dale Wise (2013)Alan Nordstrom (2012) Based on...

The talent this year has been astounding. Thank you to every high school student who participated. You are the future of literature and are leading the way in rebuilding our civilization on the foundation of time-honored traditions, particularly excellent poetry. Keep up the splendid work! ---Evan Mantyk, Judge   First...

. Judges Margaret Coats Evan Mantyk . First Place ($100) Francesca Leader, Virginia "The Iroha Poem" by Kūkai (空海) (774–835) . Second Place Steven Monte, New York “Di pensier in pensier, di monte in monte” by Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374) Alexandra Guo, Singapore "Hymn to Beauty" by Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867) ....

Winners Have Been Announced Here. "Poetry ... is a more philosophical and a higher thing than history: for poetry tends to express the universal, history the particular." —Aristotle (384-322 BC), Poetics First Prize: $1,000. Publication on the Society's website and Journal. Submission Fee: $10 (The fee comes with a free...

  "Poetry ... is a more philosophical and a higher thing than history: for poetry tends to express the universal, history the particular." —Aristotle (384-322 BC), Poetics First Prize: $100. Publication in the Society's website and Journal.   Submission Fee: $5 (The fee comes with a free subscription to our...

"Poetry ... is a more philosophical and a higher thing than history: for poetry tends to express the universal, history the particular." —Aristotle (384-322 BC), Poetics First Prize: $100. Publication on the Society's website and Journal. Submission Fee: None Submit: Email translations to [email protected]. Translations should not exceed 108 lines....

Winner and Runners-up of The Society of Classical Poets 2020 Haiku Competition Judged by Mike Bryant and Susan Jarvis Bryant See all entrants here.   Thunder-bellied clouds Move slow over heathered hills, Pregnant with June’s rain ---Savannah Leahy, Competition Winner   Sixteen Runners Up   With soft clicks and clucks,...

All of the below poems were read on May 31, 2020 at The Society of Classical Poets Symposium, which was held online due to the pandemic. Below are poems from Session II.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRsff4CR7do Bad Move by Rob Crisell The sun is out this afternoon— There’s not a cloud up...