Ready to rhyme? Or alliterate? Or hyperbolize? April is National Poetry Month, and once again, we’re enlisting your inner poets in YDL’s community-wide poetry competition.
During the first three weeks of April, YDL will accept submissions for a series of poetic challenges. This year, the contest will center around themes, rather than styles. Week one’s theme will be “Burn,” followed by “Rot,” then “Grow.”
Our panel of judges will choose their favorite pieces from each challenge to advance as finalists, and the public will vote for their favorite finalists during the last week of April. The grand finale? On Friday, April 24, we’ll host a community celebration at the YDL-Michigan Library Plaza, where winners from each week will receive prizes.
Whether you’re a seasoned poet or just discovering your voice, don’t miss your chance to be part of this month-long celebration of the written word!
*By submitting, you agree that your name and poem will be used in social media posts. Each week, finalists will be announced via the YDL social media outlets, and the community will have 24 hours to vote for their favorite poem.
BURN entries
- Submissions open: Friday, April 3
- Submission deadline: Wednesday, April 8, by 5pm
- Finalist announced: Thursday, April 9
Guidelines:
- Poem must be 100 words or less and adhere to the theme, BURN.
ROT entries
- Submissions open: Friday, April 10
- Submission deadline: Wednesday, April 15, by 5pm
- Finalist announced: Thursday, April 16
Guidelines:
- Poem must be 100 words or less and adhere to the theme, ROT.
GROW entries
- Submissions open: Friday, April 17
- Submission deadline: Wednesday, April 22, by 5pm
- Finalist announced: Thursday, April 23
Guidelines:
- Poem must be 100 words or less and adhere to the theme, GROW.
Celebrate your submissions
Each week, finalists will be announced via the YDL social media outlets, and the community will have 24 hours to vote for their favorite poem. Winners will be announced at the Poetry Month Award Ceremony and Open Mic on April 24 at YDL-Michigan.
Poetry Month Open Mic and Award Ceremony
Friday April 24 2026 3:00PM
YDL-Michigan
Don’t miss our poetry month workshops!
Calling all writers, lovers of poetry, and those looking to experiment! Each Thursday in April, there will be a poetry workshop uncovering another component of the multifaceted genre, leading up to our open mic and award ceremony on April 24. Come in to learn, meet new people, and workshop a piece. Then, consider submitting your piece in our online poetry contest.
On Thursday, April 9, join YpsiWrites in an exploration of courage and the poetry of Muriel Rukeyser. Muriel Rukeyser believed poetry to be a unique method of knowing oneself and responding meaningfully to one’s world, and she used poetry to respond to numerous social, political, and personal events.