The Thomas Merton Prize in Poetry of the Sacred is inspired by the contemplative legacy of Thomas Merton – poet, hermit, activist, artist and interfaith pioneer – whose life continues to inspire millions.
Poetry has been called ‘the language of the soul’ and this annual contest encourages poets to awaken the reader to the deep meaning and beauty of a contemplative life.
This year’s final judge is Kentucky Poet Laureate Frederick Smock. The winning poem will be published in the 2017-2018 Winter issue of Parabola Magazine, an internationally recognized magazine devoted to the world’s religious and cultural traditions.
We invite you to contemplate this line from Thomas Merton’s “Hagia Sophia” as you compose your submission:
“There is in all visible things an invisible fecundity, a dimmed light, a meek namelessness, a hidden wholeness.”
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