‘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 »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.99/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

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

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 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