In its September issue, Manor Ink challenged readers to submit verses to a “Blackout Poetry” contest, offering prizes to the top three poems received. The way blackout poetry works was explained to the Ink by Sullivan County’s Poet Laureate Kevin Scot Graham. He said the potential poet takes a newspaper and, using a marker, crosses out all the words except those that are interesting, engaging or otherwise appealing. The poet then arranges those words to form a poem. The result can often read like anything from a haiku to a mad-libs composition.

Here, then, are the winners. First place goes to young Jay Nguyen, who will receive $25; second place for $15 goes to the Ink’s Rachel Zuckerman; and Lindsay Fredenburg takes home $10 for her third place poem. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to all who submitted poems!

“Wings”

Cup-shaped creepy crawlers

Forty miles

Swallow, catching

Insect wings, unique things

High, high fliers

-Jay Nguyen, age 6, Pleasantville, NY

“The Challenge”

162 intrepid competitors

Beer Mountain

in the hamlet

Runners shifted nervously,

horn sounded

Off they went

-Lindsay Fredenburg, age 23, Livingston Manor, NY

“A Golden Query”

The new golden question

Such a powerful act

It may be right,

It may be wrong

Some question where

its place is held

But, there will be a

spreading of positivity

Although, there is a

thought of mine –

What is the golden question?

-Rachel Zuckerman, age 14, Livingston Manor, NY