2020 Shortlist: “The Very Best!” Poetry

The 2020 reading year was the first year we reviewed poetry at The Miramichi Reader. Poetry is like art: the beauty of it is in the eye of the beholder (or reader). Very subjective. However, when poetry is collected or built around a central theme and is employed in such a way that the reader comes away with a sense of awe, wonder and/or a better understanding of a person, place or thing, then poetry’s true beauty is clear to see. Such is the case with several of the titles on the 2020 shortlist for Best Poetry. In no certain order here are the finalists:

• New Brunswick by Shane Neilson
• Devil in the Woods by D.A. Lockhart
• Squall: Poems in the Voice of Mary Shelley by Chad Norman
• Narrow Cradle by Wade Kearley
• Cold Fire: Selected Poetry by Donna Allard

Of the above five titles, three will be awarded either gold, silver, or bronze award early in September 2020. The entire longlist can be seen here: https://miramichireader.ca/very-best-book-awards/

Next up: Best First Book!