Northampton, MA (PRWEB) November 15, 2010: Gerardo Mena of Columbia, Missouri is the winner of the ninth annual War Poetry Contest sponsored by Winning Writers. This contest seeks today’s best poetry on the theme of war. Mr. Mena’s poem “So I Was a Coffin” was judged the best of 656 entries from around the world. He received a $2,000 award. $5,000 was awarded in all. The winning entries are published at http://www.winningwriters.com/contests/war/2010/wa10_pastwinners.php
 
Mr. Mena is a decorated Iraqi Freedom Veteran who served in Special Operations with the Reconnaissance Marines for six years. His poem, a tribute to a fallen comrade from the war in Iraq, personifies objects from the battlefield–flags, weapons, bandages–as metaphors for dutiful and doomed men. Mena’s measured, elegiac lines combine a solemn respect for his comrades’ sacrifice with quiet outrage at the exploitation of their naiveté.

Full press release with pictures of the winners and video presentation of “So I Was a Coffin”:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/war/poetry/prweb4687694.htm