Lawrence House

The judges along with Carmen's son Jim Ziolkowski are pleased to announce the selected poems for this year's Carmen Ziolkowski Poetry Prize.

First Prize, $500, donated by Carmen’s family, was awarded to local Sarnia poet Grace Vermeer.

Vermeer’s contemplative poem “A Glimpse of the Afterlife Cento for Carmen” interpreted lines from Carmen’s own poetry book The Moon Before the Sun into innovative images that captured Carmen’s spirit and won over the judges. Carmen’s son, Jim Ziolkowski, was particularly moved: “This is an excellent use for my mom’s poetry and indeed a tribute to my mom.”

Both Second Prize, $250, and Third Prize, $100, were awarded to Stratford Poet Laureate David Stones. Stones’ second prize win “Spring Comes to Kyiv” was memorable for its moving depiction of nature’s resilience amidst human suffering while his third prize win “Hummingbird” conveyed profound observations in small creatures.

Honourable Mentions went to Fizza Abbas, a journalist from Pakistan, for her poem "Bloody Roots," to Desiree Penner of Manitoba for her poem "When Apricot Light Glazes the Prairies" and to Ingersoll poet Mary Anne Griffiths for her poem "Syntax."

The Uproar Literary Committee is also hosting a reading for past and present contest finalists along with an Open Mic. This will happen during the First Friday activities and will be held at the Lawrence House Centre For The Arts in Sarnia on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the Turret Room. Everyone is welcome.

Please go to the link to read the winning poems!

Uproar – The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts The creators of Uproar Literary Journal are excited to announce important changes in content and focus going forward with their online publication.