Congratulations to the 2018 Rhysling Award winners!
These are the best speculative poems of 2017, as voted on by members of the Science Fiction Poetry Association (I am a voting member). This was my first time voting for the awards (and my first time being nominated, for the long poem “Instructions for Astronauts.” I enjoyed all these winning poems, and think it’s great that Mary Soon Lee won in both categories, including for a poem published in the same new journal I was published in, Mithila Review.but I still think Brandon O’Brien’s “Birth, Place” from Uncanny Magazine 18 deserves more recognition. You can read it here.
It is especially poignant that the Sara Cleto’s poem was published in the long-time fan favorite journal Mythic Delirium which, after twenty years, closed up shop with its April 2018 issue. The win is a testament to Mike Allen’s vision and talent and hard work.
Out of 83 short poems, and 63 long poems, only three won in each category. Click on the titles for links to the poems to read them. Enjoy!
Short Poem Category
First Place
“Advice to a Six-Year-Old”
Mary Soon Lee • Star*Line 40.2
Second Place
“How to Grieve: A Primer for Witches”
Sara Cleto • Mythic Delirium, May
Third Place
“Gramarye”
F. J. Bergmann • Polu Texni 12/26/17
Long Poem Category
First Place
“The Mushroom Hunters”
Neil Gaiman • Brainpickings 4/26/17
Second Place
“For Preserves”
Cassandra Rose Clarke • Star*Line 40.4
Third Place
“Alternate Genders”
Mary Soon Lee • Mithila Review 9
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Michael Janairo 