MIAMI \u2014 Do you marvel at Miami? If so, how much? Those are the questions organizers of a citywide initiative invited native writers to answer. <\/p>\n
Called \u201cSonnet Boom,\u201d the contest, which launched in January, invited Miamians to submit original poems reflecting their connection to the \u201c305.\u201d More than 500 people, including first-time writers, students and a poet as young as 7-years-old, accepted the invitation and submitted a 14-line sonnet.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n
The writings were submitted in Spanish, English, French and Creole and touched on culture, music and the all-familiar Cafecito. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the biggest contest that we\u2019ve experienced from a community involvement perspective in over 15 years,\u201d said Caroline Cabrera, Co-Executive Director of O, Miami.<\/p>\n
O, Miami is an organization that provides resources for people to identify and express themselves through poetry.<\/p>\n
A panel of distinguished judges, comprised of literary leaders, selected the primary winners. The public also had the opportunity to vote on their favorite submissions through an online gallery. The voting period drew an astounding 140,000 votes.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cHaving this many votes is wildly impressive and proves that Miamians are hungry to share their story,\u201d added Cabrera. <\/p>\n
In the adult category, the poem \u201cMagic City,\u201d won for its vivid description of \u201chibiscus trumpets blaring life\u201d and \u201cmangrove roots prophesying.\u201d In the youth category, first prize went to \u201cThe Pink Hotel Threw Fire\u201d for its celebration of family and cultural identity describing \u201cThe city spoke in tongues I came to teach \u2014 I learned its pulse inside that room by the beach.\u201d<\/p>\n
First place winners received prizes of $2,000.\u00a0 Second and third place winners were also selected for each category and won $1,000 and $500, respectively. All winners received opportunities for publication and live performance across the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cSonnet Boom brought Miami together across languages, generations, and neighborhoods, and it proves that our culture is one of our greatest strengths,\u201d said City of Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins. \u201cThat is civic pride in action, and it is exactly the kind of community spirit we want to keep building across Miami.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elevate Cities and Elevate Miami, in partnership with O, Miami and SWWIM, announced the winners.\u00a0 Both winners and finalists were recognized during a special community celebration at YoungArts earlier in April in celebration of National Poetry Month.<\/p>\n