GREENFIELD — Anne Yeomans’ memories of the days she spent watching and admiring birds as a 10-year-old girl are as vivid today as they were 70 years ago.
“Those memories are from really long ago, from my childhood, and they’re very vivid to me,” said Yeomans, 81, referring to the memories depicted in her poem, “Whippoorwill,” which placed first at the 31st annual Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest awards ceremony. “When I read in The New York Times about the disappearance of birds to that degree, all those memories and my love for them came back.”
Her poem — which she read to a room of fellow poets, family and friends at the Geissler Gallery on Stoneleigh-Burnham School’s campus Tuesday evening — began with a disclaimer that, according to an article in The New York Times from 2019, the number of birds in the United States and Canada has declined by 3 billion over the last half-century.
“I’ve always loved birds,” Yeomans said. “The things that matter don’t leave you.”
For the first time in two years, the Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest awards ceremony was held in person at Stoneleigh-Burnham. Each of the 20 finalists were offered the opportunity to read their poems.
“It’s really great we can be here,” said Bob Barba, who won the 2019 Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest. “It’s especially important … to hear the voice of the poet.”
Barba said more than 120 poems were submitted in the adult category, and more than 70 poems were submitted in the youth category, which is split into two age groups. Winners took home pottery by various local potters, and Yeomans was awarded the acclaimed Poet’s Chair.
Yeomans, a Colrain resident of 16 years, said a seminar played a role in helping her to sharpen the craft.
“I got feedback and learned so much,” she said. “And my poems got better.”
The recognition on Tuesday evening, she said, has inspired her to go back and look at some of her older poems.
“Being visible as a poet and being recognized, it encourages you to trust (your voice) more,” she said. “I think trusting your own voice is a big issue for everyone. It’s part of what I teach in my work and it’s also my own challenge.”
Yeomans finds it “remarkable” that the Franklin County community continues to celebrate writing through the Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest.
“It offers such encouragement,” she said. “There are so many good writers.”
In the adult category, Mara Bright placed second for her poem, “The Belonging,” and Abrielle Sanderson came in third for her poem, “Going to Ground.”
In the youth category, Sara Pontani was recognized in the 12 to 14 age group for her two poems, “Thought” and “Origami Birds.” In the 15 to 18 age group, the co-winners were Xinni (Sunshine) Chen, who was recognized for her poem, “Diamonds in the Rough,” and Wyatt Browne, who was recognized for “Murmation.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne