Older Oklahomans Invited to Share Their Poetry

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Conference on Aging is seeking entries for the 2012 Senior Poetry Contest. The contest is a popular event held in conjunction with the annual conference, which is sponsored by the OKDHS Aging Services Division (ASD).

"The poetry contest is a highlight of the annual conference. We really enjoy recognizing the creativity of our senior poets," said Brenda Schwartz, ASD conference coordinator. "The contest receives several hundred entries covering a broad range of topics from humorous accounts to inspiring messages from people with great insight into life and living."

Contestants must be current residents of Oklahoma and entries must have been written when the contestant was 60 years of age or older. Entries must be the original, individual work of the contestant and contestants may submit no more than one poem. No previously published work can be submitted.

The deadline to submit entries is Jan. 31, 2012 and entries received after the deadline will not be considered. Entries may be published in the free annual contest poetry book distributed during the Oklahoma Conference on Aging. Winning submissions may be published on the conference website and in other materials.

Entries should be typed and include a cover sheet with the contestant's name, address, phone number, email address, and category (Men's or Women's). Handwritten entries will be accepted, if legible.

E-mail entries to asd.poetry@okdhs.org or mail to Brenda Schwartz, OKDHS Aging Services Division, 2401 NW 23rd Street, Suite 40, OKC, OK, 73107.

The Annual Conference on Aging will be held May 15-17, 2012 at the Embassy Suites Norman Hotel and Conference Center. All Oklahomans age 60 and older are invited to participate in the May 15 Senior Day activities, free of charge.

For complete contest information, call the Senior Info-Line at 1-800-211-2116 or the OKDHS Aging Services Division at (405) 521-2281.

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