In honor of National Poetry Month, a group of local poet volunteers are again presenting Poetry Corners in April and the deadline for entries is fast approaching.

Poetry Corners is an annual island celebration that includes a poetry competition, public exhibition of the jury-selected pieces around Bainbridge, publishing of a chapbook featuring all the selected poems, and a live reading of those poems by their writers.

Eligibility is open to Bainbridge Island residents, or anyone with a Bainbridge connection. Poets of all ages, disciplines, and experience levels are encouraged to submit their work.

The deadline is Saturday, Feb. 29.

Poets are free to submit work on any subject and need not adhere to a theme. Each poet may submit up to three poems for consideration.

Students are asked to indicate their grade level.

Entrants should also indicate if a submitted poem has been previously published. Judges will note publication history if a poem is jury-selected, printed and displayed.

Poems must be no more than 25 lines, including the title and line spaces, to fit the physical constraints of the display posters, though poet names need not be included in the line count.

Email submissions to PoetryCorners2020@gmail.com with the subject line “Poetry Corners Submission.”

Poems must be submitted via email as an attached Word or Pages document.

Since 1999, Poetry Corners has showcased original poems by local poets. Selections from the poetry competition are exhibited in the windows of businesses and community spaces around Bainbridge Island to be enjoyed by patrons and passers-by throughout the month of April, National Poetry Month.

Poets whose works are selected and exhibited will also share their poems aloud at Poetry Corners LIVE, a celebratory evening of live readings. This event will be hosted at the Bainbridge Public Library from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 24.

Those submitting work should include in the body of their email their name, address and phone number, grade level (if applicable) and, if they’re not a Bainbridge Island resident, a description of their connection to Bainbridge.

The entry fee — $5 for students, $15 for adults — is payable by check, to be mailed to Adelia Ritchie (7929 NE Hunt Club Lane, Hansville, WA 98340). Checks should be made out to “Poetry Corners.”

Entry fee checks must be received no later than noon Sunday, March 1.

A panel of three jurors will select poems to be included in the displays. Submitted poems will be read and judged blindly (with no names or personal info). Adult and student (K-12) works will be judged separately.Only one poem per poet will be selected.