Cats, clouds, tacos, snowfall and retirement are all poetry subjects on display in front of Bellingham Public Library’s central branch. Since 2006, poem plaques have featured the winners of the annual Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest.
The contest was founded in 2006 by the nonprofit Whatcom Poetry Series, and is named after Boynton, who came to Whatcom County in 1906.
Boynton became a key figure in the county by helping to found multiple organizations. She encouraged others to funnel their experiences and inspirations into words through poetry.
The plaques are on display for a year starting every May. The contest is free to enter and open to anyone in Whatcom County, regardless of age or writing experience.
A total of 20 new winners were recently chosen by two respected Washington poets serving as judges. Ten poems will soon be featured in front of the library walk and the remaining 10 winners will be featured on Whatcom Transportation Authority buses throughout the county.
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