‘Bodies Found in Various Places’ among five collections shortlisted for Griffin Poetry Prize

Advertisement

Advertise with us

TORONTO - Daniel Borzutzky, a poet-translator who was a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize in 2019 for a collection he wrote, is now in the running for the award for one of his translations.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!

As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.

Subscribe Now

or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.

Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
  • Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
Start now

*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

TORONTO – Daniel Borzutzky, a poet-translator who was a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize in 2019 for a collection he wrote, is now in the running for the award for one of his translations.

The Chicago-based writer is shortlisted for the $130,000 award this year alongside his co-translator Alec Schumacher for “Bodies Found in Various Places,” which was originally written in Spanish by Elvira Hernández.

It’s the only translated work on the short list of five poetry collections, which also includes Gbenga Adesina’s “Death Does Not End at the Sea” and “Night Watch” by Kevin Young.

Elvira Hernandez, left to right, Alec Schumacher and Daniel Borzutzky, poets longlisted for the 2026 Griffin Poetry Prize, are seen in a composite image made from three undated handout photos. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Griffin Poetry Prize, Sebastian Utreras (Mandatory Credit)
Elvira Hernandez, left to right, Alec Schumacher and Daniel Borzutzky, poets longlisted for the 2026 Griffin Poetry Prize, are seen in a composite image made from three undated handout photos. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Griffin Poetry Prize, Sebastian Utreras (Mandatory Credit)

Rounding out the short list are “Green of All Heads” by Aracelis Girmay and “Foxglovewise” by Ange Mlinko.

The Griffin Poetry Prize, the largest literary award for a single collection of poetry written in or translated into English, will be handed out at a ceremony in Toronto on May 20.

The Griffin Trust is currently re-evaluating the format of the prize over backlash that it combined separate categories for Canadian and international poets into one single purse three years ago.

While the new format has been in effect for several years, this was the first year Canadians were entirely shut out of the long list of finalists.

Prize benefactor Scott Griffin opened up an online survey for people to submit their feedback, and plans to hold a town hall discussion as well.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 22, 2026.

Report Error Submit a Tip

Entertainment

LOAD ENTERTAINMENT ARTICLES