PUTNAM — Following an excellent turnout, three winners were named for the Putnam Public Library’s second Poetry Contest.

Three poets were chosen from the field of 15 as winners, and each received a $20 gift card to Victoria Station Café were:  Amanda Farrell (“My Feline Muse”), Paul M. Szosek (“The Farmer’s Son”) and Nancy Weiss (“Selling the Farm”). Four poets received Honorable Mention awards: Laurie Bartlett, Jane Ellison, Michelle Green, Janet Law.

Local poets were invited to send an original poem of any topic or style. Judges John Dignam and Patricia Jensen were “pleasantly surprised” by the quality of the submissions, and had a challenging time determining the winners, according to Library director Priscilla Colwell. 

Dignam is the chair of the Putnam Public Library Board, and a retired Worcester Telegram and Gazette journalist.  Jensen is the Library’s Adult Services Librarian, and also the book discussion facilitator for discussion groups in the Library as well as the area. 

The winning poems are available on the Library’s Facebook page (Putnam Public Library) and a presentation of all submitted poems are on displayed in the Library until July 5. A poetry reading is scheduled for Oct. 12 in the Library community room, where some of the poems submitted for the contest will be read by the poets. Other poems will be welcomed from the public at that time.