Illinois' Poet Laureate

2005 / 2006 Poems of Exceptional Merit

We come to love poems by means of various seductions and allures. This seduction comes to us, of course, via the medium of language, but its modes are many and subtle.

Of these, my favorite, at least for today, is a poem's ability to surprise. That element of surprise may arrive by a sudden recognition, some epiphany that brings poet and reader to revelation that is both lasting and memorable. Sometimes surprise inheres in the very subject the poet chooses, a topic so unique or an angle of seeing so fresh it brings readers the rush of the new. Other times surprise resides in the smallest of choices, in the very words a poet speaks, in their sounds and meanings-in their ability to astonish and give pleasure. To astonish and give pleasure-is this not what good poems do?

While all of the winning poems exhibit this quality to varying degrees, the poems listed below best embody this measure of surprise and its rewards. These poems have earned my designation as Poems of Exceptional Merit.

Congratulations to all the winners. May both your lives and your culture be blessed by your rich appreciation of the art of poetry.
~Kevin Stein

Here's a list of recipients of Special Merit awards, their schools, and their nominating teachers. Winning poems can be viewed by clicking the students' names.

Victoria Ertl, “Candy Wrappers and Deodorant,” Buffalo Grove High School, Ms. Lauren Stenzel

Anna Friel, “Careless,” Lyons Township High School, Mr. Glen Brown

Amanda Godek, “Lela Lohr,” Stevenson High School, Ms. Elizabeth Maxwel

Josh Winchester, “On a Hymnsong of Holden Caulfield,” Mt. Vernon Township High School, Ms. Ann Garrett

Rosalie Zaccone, “Next Year,” Bureau Valley High School, Ms. Kathleen P. Haurberg

Kelsi E. Robb, “Beaten,” Dunlap Middle School, Ms. Barbara Blanton

Emma Li, “A response to: Road Past View / by Georgia O’Keeffe,” Wiesbrook Elementary School, Ms. Terry Tavine

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