Annual Outermost Poetry Contest

WOMR is delighted to announce the winners and honorable mentions of the 2026 Joe Gouveia Outermost Poetry Contest, held in honor of former Cape Cod Poet Laureate Joe Gouveia and his enduring commitment to uplifting poets from Cape Cod and across the country. This year’s contest drew an extraordinary range of voices, and we extend our deep gratitude to every poet who shared their work.

We also thank our distinguished judge, Marge Piercy, for her thoughtful and generous selections.

National Category
1st Place ($1,000 prize): Sometimes — Gloria G. Murray, Deer Park, New York
2nd Place: Forbidden Words —Elaine Zimmerman, Hamden, Connecticut
3rd Place: The Major Poets — Wayne Lee, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Honorable Mentions
• Berlin — Howard J. Kogan, Ashland, Massachusetts
• Dreams — Peter R. Selover, Shaker Heights, Ohio
• Night Cat — Jack T. Scully, Colchester, Vermont
• Neighbor Back From Iraq — Delaina Thomas, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Pele — Delaina Thomas, Honolulu, Hawaii
• This Female Place Will Never Be Entirely Without Embers — Mary Christine Delea, Oregon City, Oregon
• San Francisco — Gail Shafarman, Oakland, California
• After the ICE roundup on TV, I watch cat videos — Fran Markover, Ithaca, New York
• Al Mac’s — Brian Mohser, Mansfield, Massachusetts
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Regional Category (Cape Cod & Islands)
1st Place ($300 prize): Praise For a Long Marriage —Wilderness Sarchild, Brewster, Massachusetts
2nd Place — Contradictions Phebe Lowry, Dennis Port, Massachusetts
3rd Place — For Ian Mary Richmond, Hyannis, Massachusetts
Honorable Mentions
• Truly, We Are Soil — Chuck Madansky, Brewster, Massachusetts
• Bearing Witness — Sandy Longley, Provincetown, Massachusetts
• By Degrees — Joan W. Barnes, Orleans, Massachusetts
• Evolution — Christine Shock, Bourne, Massachusetts
• Kiss with Blue Bottle — Carole A. Stasiowski, Cotuit, Massachusetts
• Ode to Cleveland — Mary Ann Larkin, North Truro, Massachusetts
• Supplicant — Kate Wallace Rogers, Provincetown, Massachusetts
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Congratulations to all of this year’s poets. Your work continues the spirit of Joe Gouveia’s belief that poetry is a living force — one that connects, challenges, and strengthens community. Thank you for supporting WOMR and for helping keep independent, community‑powered arts thriving on Cape Cod and beyond.

With appreciation,
WOMR – Outermost Community Radio