www.mertoninstitute.org/merton_prize.php

What is poetry of the sacred?

Poetry that expresses, directly or indirectly, a sense of the holy or that, by its mode of expression, evokes the sacred. The tone may be religious, prophetic, or contemplative.

Contest Guidelines
Deadline for submissions: Received by December 31, 2009.
First Prize, $500; Three Honorable Mention Prizes, $100 each.
Winning Poems will be published in The Merton Seasonal, a publication of scholarly articles about noted spiritual leader Thomas Merton and will be posted on the Merton Institute web site: www.mertoninstitute.org.
Only ONE unpublished poem type written in English may be submitted.
Please limit the poem to no more than 100 lines.
Type your name, address, phone number, FAX number, email address, and the title of your poem on a cover page. Attach (1) one copy of your titled poem to the cover page.
Submit your poem on a page with no identifying information. All identifying information should be on your cover page.
Submit poem to: Merton Institute, 2117 Payne Street, Louisville, KY 40206 or email to: vhurst@mertoninstitute.org as a Word 2003 document attachment.
No Faxed entries will be accepted.
No poems will be returned.
Poems will be judged on literary excellence, spiritual tenor, and human authenticity.
Winners will be announced by April 1, 2010. Please visit the Institute website for contest results.
All contestants will be notified via email of the contest results.