What to Submit?
1 original, poem on the theme of: Reflections of the Past, Visions of the Future
I want you to explore your personal past experiences of your life that have shaped your present and how they currently influence your visions for the future. Ideas to reflect upon are personal growth, family, societal changes, personal changing values, and theological if you are spiritual and the human condition as it relates to you.
Use the Title: "Reflections of the Past, Visions of the Future." This way I will know not to read them and comment in PS.
Since this is a Dramatic Monologue format, the criteria for judgment will be:
1. Emotional Impact: How effective does it evoke emotions and empathy
2. Originality: How unique is the perspective or approach
3. Craftsmanship: Quality of language, imagery, structure and poetic tools used effectively
4. Thematic Relevance: How well does the poem address the theme
5. Authenticity and Honesty: genuine voice and perspective, honest and sincere
6. Maximum of 50 lines and 400 words
No AI-Generated Poems: I use Scribbr, QuillBot, Undetectable, and GPTZero, and they can be no more than 30% given that they are not perfect. Anything over 30% will be disqualified.
Prizes
First Prize, Glory
Second Prize, Glory
Third Prize, Glory
Twelve Honorable Mentions
Preparing Your Entry
Submit one copy of your poem online with a maximum of 50 lines / 400 words. 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.