Kakalak 2007 Introduction

The idea of a poem as a dancing, magical bird is one of many startlingly original images you will find on the following pages. For this second edition of Kakalak: Anthology of Carolina Poets, we received a robust 800-plus poems. The quality of the work made the job of selection tough on the editors, but what a great “problem” to have. Even more so for the final judge, Peter Meinke. He had the difficult task of selecting winners from a group of 20 exceptional poems.

He selected Steve Lautermilch’s “Coins for the Tillerman” as the first prize poem, noting the poet’s love of language and skill in using it. In a surprising turn of events, the editors separately chose one of his photos, “Dragonfly on glass globe,” as the first prize winner in the art contest. Congratulations to Steve on Kakalak’s first first-prize sweep! The second prize poem cited above, Allan Wolf’s “The Poet, Not Content with the Ballet of Raking Leaves,” is an ars poetica. Meinke had this to say about it: “Every poet has a poem about writing, and this is a particularly original and charming one.” After reading many poems about writing in the course of selection, the editors gleefully agree. Third prize in poetry goes to Rebecca Warren for “Hands” which Meinke called a “meditative poem [that] looks at its subject with deep affection and sorrow, in an appealing voice.” Second prize in art goes to Donna H. Goodman’s “The Conference, 1933.” Her striking image of a cotton field graced our cover last year. This year, Sally B. Miller’s watercolor “On the Open Cliff” is featured on the cover. Heather Dearmon’s “hair and shadow” takes third prize in art.

As a new feature this year, we asked Alex Grant, 2006 Kakalak Poetry Prize winner, to share some of his latest work. You’ll find four of his poems beginning on page 31.

Our deepest thanks go to Peter Meinke, Anne Hicks, and M. Scott Douglass. Without their efforts, this book would not exist. Thanks also to the many people who read and shared Kakalak last year. We never imagined it would find its way to so many homes, libraries, stores, and even Amazon.com. Our spouses continue to show kindness and patience in light of our poetic endeavors, for which we are grateful. Most of all, our thanks go to the poets and artists who trusted us with their precious work.

During a recent visit to Charlotte, the poet and author Edward Hirsch said, “Reading poetry gives you a way into other people’s hearts.” On the pages that follow, it is our hope that you will find heartfelt poetry, along with the funny, mundane, sad, and even magical. Enjoy.