2026 WINNING POEMS (K TO L) AND BIOS
BY DEBBIE KNAPP
Debbie Knapp is new to haiku, a format suggested by a colleague while they were talking about poetry. She quickly found its brevity and focus make it an ideal form for her to capture moments of joy, wonder, frustration, love, and loneliness. She has three grown children and four grandchildren, all of whom make her very proud. She lives and works in Newton and looks forward to retiring this July 2026.
BY JIM KROSSCHELL
Jim Krosschell has published a collection of poems, Man Afield, and two collections of essays, One Man's Maine, and Owls Head Revisited. He lives in Deer Isle, ME and Newton, MA, and volunteers for Island Heritage Trust and Coastal Mountains Land Trust.
BY JULIE LEAVITT
Julie Leavitt, Dmin, is a body-centered psychotherapist and spiritual companion. She has taught for 30+ years at Lesley University and practices spiritual direction privately and at Hebrew College and Hebrew Union College. Julie and her sister, Lisa, created the Martin Poetry Path in Newton Upper Falls in 2021. Julie is a modern dancer, recently choreographing Memories of Tomorrow and Passage. She delights in being a member of Joanie Block’s modern dance troupe, Selmadance.