From beginning to end, “Sonnet Crown for NYC” is an intimate celebration of New York City. Its 15 interwoven sonnets are rooted in Tran’s own interviews with business owners across all five boroughs. Though each of the business owners was impacted differently by the pandemic, what they share in common is their constant work to support their families and serve their communities. The wonder of “Sonnet Crown” is the way Tran weaves these distinct voices together into a unified “crown” without losing the individual spirit inherent in each sonnet. This collection entrusts the reader with her full attention to private stories, languages, and a complex rhyme scheme to travel through the many moving unknowns of our lives.
The Thornwillow Patron’s Prize is made possible with the support of the New York Foundation for the Arts and subscribers to the Thornwillow Dispatch, Patrons’ and Centaur Patrons’ Editions. In recognition of their vital support, Patrons’ & Centaur Patrons’ Subscribers are credited on the Subscribers Register accompanying each copy of the prize-winning work.
Cindy Tran is a writer and poet whose work explores themes of identity, memory, and belonging. Her writing examines the complexities of human relationships and the way individuals navigate their emotional landscapes. Through thoughtful storytelling of everyday life, Tran emphasizes the importance of personal narratives.
Tran has also received fellowships from the Poetry Project and Brooklyn Poets, among others, and her short film, also by the name “Sonnet Crown for NYC,” was an official selection at the Asian American International Film Festival an the Korean Film Festival of New York. Additionally, Tran teaches poetry workshops and serves on the board of The Rumpus, an arts and literary magazine.
