To read Eric Dovigi’s ProForma Prize-winning piece, download “Here Is a List of Words I Prefer.”
Eric Dovigi lives in Flagstaff, Arizona. His work can be found online at: Grist, Hobart, Waxwing, Sourland Mountain Review, Universidad de Madrid’s JACLR, and elsewhere.
Judge Alex Lemon writes of Dovigi’s “Here Is a List of Words I Prefer”: From beginning to end, “Here is a list of words I prefer” is an expression of full-throated joy: it is a lyrical exploration/ explosion with manifold pleasures. Electric in its deepening, expressive movements—from “yelwe orca crustacean grass burgundy” to “I’m a google search away from a final cynicism,” to the delightful, intellectually vibrant, and emotionally palpable—it is a piece of writing humorous and wise and human. Its graceful modulation of tone allows it a splendored use of both text and image. The suppleness of mind behind it makes the writing leap and plumb, to be beautiful and strange and confess while always, always celebrating.
For more information on Grist‘s ProForma contest and how to submit, here’s our contest page.
