2026 poetry contests you can enter. Updated daily with cash prizes. Click a contest name to view details.
Write a poem about an ordinary day. It might unfold in familiar routines or small moments that feel easy to overlook. There is no need for anything dramatic. Let the day speak for itself and see what rises to the surface.
Write a poem addressed to someone you care about using a clearly defined syllable pattern of your choice. Rhyme is optional, but focus on emotion.
Write a poem in any style you prefer, from structured rhyme to open free verse. There are no formal rules on length, meter, or pattern. Just have fun.
Write a free verse poem. There are no rules about rhyme or syllables here. Just let the lines move in the way that feels natural to you.
Write a poem in two equal halves, with each section containing the same number of lines. Create a clear shift between the first half and the second, whether in mood, story, or emotion.
Write a romance poem in any style you like. It can be tender, playful, intense, or even a little bittersweet. Focus on the connection between two people and let the emotion come through in your own voice.
Write a free verse poem that explores the feeling of loneliness in no more than 15 lines. Can you let the sense of isolation come through in a natural way?
Write a poem that has a clear rhyme pattern. It can be simple. It can be fun. Just make sure the rhymes are easy to hear and follow. Let the sound of the words give the poem its beat.
Write a haiku using the 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Keep it simple and clear. Focus on one small moment, often from nature, and let the last line bring a quiet turn or gentle surprise.
Write a monostich poem made of just one line. Say something that feels complete in that single breath.
Write a three line poem using the 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Keep it clear and easy to follow.
This poetry contest encourages writers to turn a single memory into a poem. Focus on the moment and bring it to life for the reader. Poems in any style are welcome.
Write a poem that tells a brief narrative using two 5-7-5 syllable stanzas. Let the first stanza establish the scene or conflict, and use the second to develop or resolve it. Maintain the exact syllable pattern in each line while creating a clear sense of progression.
Write a poem where every line is just one word. Let the words stack up and build meaning as they move down the page.
Write a five line poem with a clear syllable count for each line. Pick the pattern you want and stick with it all the way through.
Write a poem with a clear rhyme pattern. You can choose the pattern, but stay with it from start to finish. Make the rhymes easy to hear so they give the poem a steady beat.
Write a haiku using the 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Keep it short and clear. Focus on one small moment, often from nature.
Join this nonfiction poetry contest and share a free verse poem that reflects a true portrait of someone important to you.
Write a poem using sixteen words or fewer. Make every word count. Say something clear and complete in as few words as possible.
Write a free form poem. There are no rules about rhyme or structure here. Let the words fall the way they want to and say what you need to say.
Write a poem that uses exactly 20 syllables in total. Count carefully. Keep it tight and make every syllable matter.
Write a poem using the 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Three lines. Keep it simple and clear. Often the last line gives it a small turn or quiet thought.
Write a three line poem with a 3-6-9 syllable pattern. Three syllables in the first line, six in the second, nine in the third. Count carefully and keep the rhythm steady.
Write a poem where every line has exactly nine syllables. Count them carefully. Keep the rhythm steady, and let the form guide the flow of your words.
Write a three line poem with a 2-4-2 syllable pattern. Two syllables in the first line, four in the second, two in the third. Keep it simple and count carefully.
Write a three line poem using the 5-7-5 syllable pattern. The first line has five syllables. Second line has 7. Final line has 5 again.
Write a free verse poem. No set rhyme scheme. No strict syllable count. Just you and the page.
Write a free form poem. There are no set rules for rhyme or syllables. Just let the words come out the way they need to and say what you want to say.
Write an acrostic poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word when read from top to bottom. Choose a word that matters to you and build your lines around it.
Write a poem about the good old days as you remember them. Think about the moments, people, or places that still stay with you. Let the memories feel real, whether they are warm, funny, or even a little bittersweet.
Write a sonnet. Keep it to fourteen lines and follow a clear rhyme pattern. Let the rhythm carry the poem, and build toward a strong closing thought at the end.
Write a five line ABC poem in which each line begins with the next letter of the alphabet.
Write a three line Lune poem with a 3-5-3 syllable pattern.
Write a playful poem designed to make a child smile. Use lighthearted imagery, simple language, and a sense of wonder or surprise. Whether whimsical, silly, or gently magical, let the tone feel warm, bright, and fun.
Write a three line poem using the 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Count carefully and keep it clear. Let the short form say something complete.
Write a poem about emotion. It can center on one strong feeling or move through several. Joy, anger, fear, hope, love. Whatever feels real to you. Let the feeling come through clearly on the page.
Write a two line poem with exactly six syllables in each line. Count them carefully and keep the lines tight and clear.
he Minute Poem is fun to write. It follows an 8,4,4,4 syllable pattern repeated across three stanzas: 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4. This creates a 12-line poem with a total of 60 syllables.
Write a four line poem that follows a 1-5-5-9 syllable pattern. Let the brief opening line set the tone then build it from there while carefully maintaining the required syllable count.
Write a poem with exactly 15 syllables in total. You may structure it any way you like and choose any number of words or lines, but the completed poem must contain no more and no fewer than 15 syllables.
Write a poem with a woman at the center. Show her as a real person, with her strength, her soft spots, and her everyday life. Let her voice come through clearly so she feels alive on the page.
Write a poem about a man. Show who he is in small ways, not just big ones. Let his strengths and flaws both be there, and use a few clear details to make him feel real.
Write a poem about betrayal. It could be about broken trust, a quiet letdown, or a sudden shift that changed everything. Let the feeling show through in simple, honest lines.
Write a five line Tanka poem that follows the traditional 5-7-5-7-7 syllable pattern.
Write a free verse love poem. There is no set rhyme or structure. Just let the feeling lead and say what you mean in your own way.
Write a poem about your faith. It can be about strength, doubt, gratitude, or growth. Keep it honest and let the feeling guide your words.
Write a poem inspired by a photograph. Let the image shape the mood and the feeling of the piece. Say what you see and what it makes you think about, and let the moment come alive in your own words.
Write a three line poem using the 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Keep the image clear and the words simple. Count carefully and let the three lines work together to say something complete.
Write a poem about temptation. It might be about wanting something you should not have, or feeling pulled in two directions at once. Let the tension show in simple, honest lines.
Write a poem about how faith has shaped your life, whether in quiet ways or through moments that changed you. You might explore times you felt guided, times you wrestled with doubt, or seasons where gratitude or strength carried you through. Let the emotion and your personal experience lead the way.
Write a love poem in any tone or style you like. It can be light or serious, imagined or personal. Focus on the feeling and what love means to you.
Imagine an open page with no instructions written at the top. That is the idea behind this contest. Write any poem you wish. Your poem may explore a memory, describe a place, or capture a small moment. The subject and style are entirely up to you.
Poetry contests are carefully reviewed by our staff to help ensure that only the very best make it to our website. We understand and appreciate that entering poetry contests is often a leap of faith. Our goal is to provide poetry competitions from reputable companies. These companies provide a panel of judges to review submissions. Winners are announced shortly after the deadline is reached. Deadlines are firm and do not change.
Many poetry contests have strict line or syllable requirements. For example, a 5-7-5 contest requires exactly that syllable structure. Always follow the specified format.
The poetry contests listed contain clear guidelines on what type of poem is accepted. Some free poetry contests may require a specific form such as a haiku, sonnet, or rhyming poem. Others may be open to free verse. Pay close attention to syllable counts, line requirements, rhyme schemes, deadlines, and formatting instructions before submitting.
For open-form poetry contests without a required structure, clarity and impact are more important than length. Judges are reviewing poems carefully, so make sure your entry follows the stated guidelines.
If you have questions about the types of poetry that are listed here view our poetry types page.
Have fun with the free poetry contests. Experiment with different styles. Try new forms. Whether you win or not, growth as a poet and the experience of sharing your work are the real rewards. Enjoy writing.