Contest Description
What to Submit?
1 only, new, Didactic form poem on any theme. Please date the poem at the bottom. No names please.
A didactic poem is directly instructional or informational: it teaches or explains something such as a truth, a moral, a principle or a process. It aims to instruct the mind and improve morals. The English word "didactic" derives from the Greek didaktikos ("able to teach"). Didactic poetry instructs, either in terms of morals or by providing knowledge of philosophy, religion, arts, science, or skills. Didactic poems contain a clear moral or message or purpose to convey to its readers. John Milton's epic 'Paradise Lost' and Alexander Pope's 'An Essay on Man' are famous examples.
Note: It is a poem not an essay, and so should include poetic devices such as word images, rhyme, meter as well as reason. These devices help to convey the message. Any topic is OK, but spiritual rather than explicitly religious for this competition. Judged by strength of argument (50%) as well as its poetic devices and general appeal when read (50%).
Prizes
First Prize, Glory
Second Prize, Glory
Third Prize, Glory
Twelve Honorable Mentions
Preparing Your Entry
Submit one copy of your poem online. Format your poem. Please make your entry easy to read — no illustrations or fancy fonts.
English Language
Poems should be in English. Poems translated from other languages are not eligible, unless you wrote both the original poem and the translation.
A Note to Poetry Contestants
You are welcome to enter this contest, whether or not you won a prize in one of my previous contests.