Paul Szlosek, Claire Schaeffer-Duffy and Matt Zingg lauded in Frank O'Hara Prize
Worcester poet Paul Szlosek is the winner of the annual poetry competition of the Worcester County Poetry Association.
Szlosek won for his poem "Neither In Nor Out." Claire Schaeffer-Duffy was awarded second place for her poem "Off The Coast To Trapani"; Art DuBois was awarded third place for "Senses"; and Matt Zingg received honorable mention for "Maturity."
The judge was Connecticut poet Dennis Barone, The Worcester County Poetry Association said in an announcement that it received about 80 entries and "fantastic poems."
Szlosek is a well-known local poet who won the 2023 Stanley Kunitz Medal presented by the Worcester County Poetry Association. Schaeffer-Duffy, along with her husband Scott, is a founding member of the SS. Francis and Therese Catholic Worker, a lay community in Worcester that offers hospitality to men and women in need and engages in a variety of works for peace and justice. DuBois of Uxbridge is a career clinical social worker who has worked as a psychotherapist, in the public defenders office and in management positions in the human services field. Zingg is a high school English teacher in Central Massachusetts.
The Frank O'Hara Prize is named for the 20th-century poet and artist who grew up in Grafton.
The prize for first place is $100, second place is $75 and third place is $50. Winning poems will also be published in The Worcester Review, the literary journal of the WCPA.
A winners’ reading and reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 22 in First Unitarian Church of Worcester, 90 Main St.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Paul Szlosek wins 2024 Frank O'Hara Prize poetry competition
