Mid-Maine poets of all ages are invited to submit their original poems to Maine Poetry Express Waterville 2015. The division categories are grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, college and adult. The poem submission deadline is Monday, March 2. Three poets from each division will have poems selected by a blind review of independent judges to ensure fair and consistent selection, according to a news release from Waterville Public Library.

The authors of chosen poems will be invited to read their original work to the community during the Maine Poetry Express Waterville stop from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2. The Third annual Maine Poetry Express Waterville event will take place at the Hathaway Creative Center, 10 Water St. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.

The purpose of Maine Poetry Express Waterville is to shine a light of awareness on poetry in the mid-Maine region, to come together as a diverse community to celebrate poetic thoughts, and to bring recognition to our area poets of all ages, according to the release. Maine Poetry Express is an initiative of Maine Poet Laureate Wesley McNair and is supported by the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. McNair will be the honored guest during this community poetry celebration.

Poems can be submitted by using the online submission form http://www.jotform.us/mainepoetryexpresswaterville/2015submitpoem. For assistance with submitting poems, contact Waterville Public Library at 680-2611 or email mainepoetryexpress.waterville@gmail.com. Paper copies of poems can be submitted at the Waterville Public Library at 73 Elm St. in Waterville.