What to Submit?
1 original, poem on the theme of "THE POET'S ACHE" ... please submit a new or previously-written poem that is written about or inspired by something you CAN NOT have or do. Something, (including people, of course), that you LONG for or that is out of reach, whether because of a lack of money, a social situation, your capabilities, star-crossed lovers, a place you can't go, whatEVER ...
I want this to be something that you have a DEEP desire for that is beyond your realistic ability to acquire or do, how that makes you feel, what you do to deal with it, or anything else related to that longing, as long as it's CLEAR to me exactly WHAT it is that is the subject of your desire. ANY FORM is acceptable, but PLEASE check your spelling and grammar ...
As you know, good poetry is about the adept use of words and phrasing, and bad grammar and spelling should be one of the LAST things that others find in your work, (though I have seen a lot of it in my contests). I will NOT exclude a good poem because of bad spelling or grammar, but it may be ranked lower than it would have been otherwise ...
We ALL make mistakes, myself included, so I don't expect perfection, but there are plenty of decent, free online grammar-check programs that you can cut and paste to, so you should have the basics covered, at the very least. I enjoy ALL forms and genres, (including dark), so please write this from a place of honesty - creativity is always a bonus - and have fun!
Prizes
First Prize, Glory
Second Prize, Glory
Third Prize, Glory
Seven Honorable Mentions
Preparing Your Entry
Submit one copy of your poem online. Format your poem. Please make your entry easy to read and put the contest name and sponsor at the bottom — illustrations, photos, videos, music, and fancy fonts, are all fine, if you feel it enhances the presentation of your work.
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. Thank you!