Older Oklahomans Invited to Share Poetry

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Conference on Aging seeks entries for its annual spring Senior Oklahoman Poetry Contest. The contest is a popular event held in conjunction with the annual conference, and is sponsored by Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Aging Services Division and conference partners.

Deadline for poetry entries is December 31, 2010, and any poems received after the deadline will not be considered. Contestants must be 60 years of age or older and be a resident of Oklahoma. All poetry must be original and each contestant may submit no more than one poem. All appropriate entries may be published on the conference website and in a booklet that will be distributed during the Oklahoma Conference on Aging. Poems can be submitted by e-mail to AgingServicesPoetryContest@OKDHS.org, or by mail to OKDHS Aging Services Division, Attention: Paula Cockrell, 2401 N.W. 23rd St., Suite 40, Oklahoma City, OK 73107.

“Poets may write on any topic,” said Paula Cockrell, conference coordinator. “We usually receive more than 200 poetry entries, and they cover a broad range of topics from humorous accounts of past experiences to very inspiring messages from people with great insight of life and living.”

Winners will be notified by April 20, 2011, and recognized at the conference on May 10, 2011 during Senior Day at the Embassy Suites Norman. All Oklahomans age 60 and older are invited to participate in Senior Day activities free of charge.

For complete contest information, contact your local Area Agency on Aging by calling the Senior Info-Line 1-800-211-2116, or by calling OKDHS Aging Services Division at 405-521-2281.

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