Our 2017 submissions were selected by Michael Torres, a CantoMundo fellow born and raised in Pomona, California where he spent his adolescence as a graffiti artist. Torres’ work is forthcoming or has appeared in The Acentos Review, BOAAT, Forklift, Ohio, Huizache, Miramar, and Paper Darts among other journals. Torres is the recipient of a 2016 Jerome Foundation Travel and Study Grant. Currently he lives in Mankato, Minnesota where he teaches creative writing and co-hosts art workshops for at-risk and homeless youth at the Reach drop-in center through Good Thunder Community Outreach.
Youth
- Snow Crystals by Gretl Holz – Erlandson Park, Victory and Main Streets: 44.1610,-93.9723
- Sunset by Lottie Holz – Glenwood & Division: 44.1597,-93.9962
Adult
- 1st Place: The Myth Of January by Becky Liestman – Spring Lake Park, near dock: 44.1786,-94.0199
- 2nd Place: To the River by Angie Mason – Kiwanis Recreation Area, dog park: 44.1991,-94.0200
- 3rd Place: The Mercy Rule by Kathryn A. Cullen – Sibley Park South: 44.1592,-94.0302
- Honorable Mention: Cornfield Memories by Audrey Kletscher Helbling – Spring Lake Park, near Tyler Ave.: 44.1778,-94.0178
- Honorable Mention: Mama Would Say by Esther Hoffmann – Riverfront Park South, near play area: 44.1740,-94.0009
- Of Poems by Amanda Bailey – Jaycee Park, Balcerzak near skate park: 44.1517,-93.9819
- Getting Carried Away by Jana Bouma – Riverview Park: 44.1729,-94.0033
- Ceremony Sandwiches by Ed Brekke-Kramer – Mankato Trail, W. 11th St, entrance to Red Jacket Trail: 44.1519,-94.0234
- Lecture Once A Blue Moon by Meredith Cook – Blue Earth Park, W. Mankato, Blue Earth, and Owatonna Streets: 44.1557,-94.0212
- The Foxes by Susan Coultrap-McQuin – Glenwood & Pohl: 44.1567,-93.9780
- Spring Run by Debra Ann Fitzloff – Willard Parkway: 44.1581,-93.9883
- Loon Calls by Christina M. Flaugher – Flood Wall Entrance, near depot: 44.1682,-94.0037
- Red Jacket Trail by Marilyn (Mira) Frank – Weagel Park, Red Jacket Trail near 66 and Doc Jones Rd.:44.1379,-94.0290
- Nyctophobia by Deborah Goschy – Lions Park North: 44.1491,-93.9811
- Harmon by John Just, Jr. – Hiniker Park: 44.1849,-94.0178
- In the Garden by Sue Kral – Sibley Park West, river side near picnic area: 44.1616,-94.0359
- Kayak Knight by Derek Liebertz – Minneopa Trail, near Sibley Park/169 entrance: 44.1570,-94.0285
- The Flower by Dylan Loring – Rasmussen Park: 44.1449,-94.0090
- Divine by Tami Mohamed Brown – Riverfront Park North: 44.1781,-94.0010
- Through a Glass Eye by Andrew Nye – Rex MacBeth River Trail, North Mankato side off Belgrade: 44.1700,-94.0040
- Oral Surprise by Henry Panowitsch – Balcerzak Drive: 44.1510,-93.9727
- Lorna in Motion by Lorna Pecard – Sibley Parkway Bridge: 44.1630,-94.0180
- Singin’ in the Sleet by Dave Powers – Sibley Park Spur, river side near sledding hill: 44.1654,-94.0264
- We arrive at the river by Selina Scheumann – North MN River Trail, past water treatment plant: 44.1827,-94.0029
- A Harmony of Blackbirds by Susan Stevens Chambers – Peacepipe Park: 44.1619,-93.9542
- WGO by Acacia Wytaske – Mankato Trail, W. 5th St. entrance: 44.1588,-94.0187