WFOP Contest Results
2026 Results
Muse Prize
The Muse Prize this year was judged by Kelli Russell Agodon, a bi/queer poet and editor whose newest book is Accidental Devotions (Copper Canyon Press). She is the co-founder of Two Sylvias Press and teaches in Pacific Lutheran University’s low-res MFA program, the Rainier Writing Workshop. She also co-hosts the poetry series “Poems You Need” with Melissa Studdard. She lives in a sleepy seaside community in Washington State. www.agodon.com
Statement from Kelli Russell Agodon:
Before I share my choices, I feel it’s important to acknowledge that every one of the poems listed could have been the winner. As a poet myself, I understand how subjective and imperfect this process is—choosing a “winner.” On another day with a different reader or even a different kind of light coming through my window, the outcome might have changed. I want to recognize that uncertainty while also celebrating the extraordinary work gathered here.
In times like these, writing poems feels especially necessary to me, and I’m thankful for every poet who wrote a poem and sent it in; it’s an optimistic act to write poems these days and we certainly need more optimism in the world. As I read through all the poems in this contest, what I noticed they carried curiosity, courage, tenderness, mindfulness, beauty, and risk and spending time with them felt like being in conversation with a community committed to care and meaning, and I thank you all for that.
To the winners and honorable mentions: what a joy it is to live in a world where so many wonderful poems exist, where choosing just the top three poems becomes both a privilege and a challenge. I want to appreciate the richness and generosity of all poets who entered—thank you for trusting me with your work and for the gift of time spent reading what was written. It’s been my honor to be part of the process.
First Place
Stan Winarski - "The Gardener’s Chronicle”
Second Place
Kathleen Serley - “Sisterhood”
Third Place
Molly Snyder - “The Snow Life”
Honorable Mentions
Geoff Collins - “Red Chairs”
Sandra J. Lindow - “When We Were Birds”
Annette Grunseth - “Love is a Many Gendered Thing”
Chapbook Contest
First Place
Freesia McKee - City of Honesty
Second Place
Wendy Vardaman - Thread Me an Exit
Third Place
Geoff Collins - What For
Kay Saunders Emerging Poet Prize
First Place
Timothy Dolan - “A Death in the Family”
Second Place
Margeaux Templeton - “Still Life with Death”
Third Place
Matthew Wilson Jr. - “A Moonbeam”
Honorable Mention
Karen Havholm - “Sandhills in Spring”