The Shortlist for the Percy French Prize for Witty Verse has been announced by the judge Margaret Hickey, and is as follows:

Please click on the title of the poem to read it

Pat Borthwick, East Yorkshire, England                      My Neighbour’s Myna

D.G. (Greg) Geis, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.                  Class of 67

Joe Greaney, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo                      Apachees on Mi-Wadi

James Martyn Joyce, Renmore, Galway                           The Reading

Mike Greenhough, Cardiff, Wales                                          Kneeology

Jimmy Rafferty, Loughgall, Co. Armagh                  Fifty Shades

Mike Roycroft, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary                    A modern Passenger’s Lament

Tom Sigafoos, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal        Blanket on the Ground (Unexpurgated)

Michael Swan,  Oxfordshire, England                              J (I like places beginning with J)

Alice Walsh, Perth, Scotland                  Off the Wall

Thanks to all who participated, and congratulations to the shortlisted poets.  The results will be announced in Strokestown at the 19th Festival on the 28th of April 2017.