Spoken Word/Visual Poetry Contest 2024

Are you wanting to try spoken word or visual poetry, but don’t know where to start? Well, this is your chance!

Spoken word poetry is the poetry of performance! Instead of just writing something by hand or digitally, you take it to the next step and perform. An example of this would be recording a video or audio of you reciting a poem you wrote. These poems often contain deep, motivational messages that move an audience to feel an emotion that the poet is trying to portray. It is almost like singing an emotional solo in a musical, but poetry style! Visual poetry relates to a poem that is presented with visual elements, like an edited video with text or images.

I am pleased to announce that this April, during NaPo we will be having an official YWS Spoken Word/Visual Poetry Contest. The following information is what you need to know for this contest, how you can participate, as well as some other information regarding the timeline of events:


To participate in this contest, you must write and record your own spoken word poem. You will then post a link to your poem and post it in this thread, along with an enspoiled text version of the words you say. Poems can be recorded easily on a phone, or using voice memo/Vocaroo online resources. If you are not comfortable sharing your voice, you may create a visual poem instead, and submit that the same way.

• To practice Internet Safety, audio versions of poems are preferred. Please do not share your face in the video, as well as any identifiable backdrops like locations, names, addresses, or signs.
• On top of internet safety, the use of AI to write any poems is strictly prohibited. All poems must be written and recorded by you, for this contest.
• If your poem contains mature topics or swearing, please include a trigger warning in your post, when you submit your poem.
• Collaborating with another user to create a poem is allowed.
• Feel free to submit as many poems as you like to the contest.

There will not be a single winner in this contest. A winner is someone who participates and submits a poem and tries their best! All winners will receive badges for their participation! The contest is open all month long, during April.

Are you ready to write some spoken word poetry? Claim a spot below and start posting your poems! Keep your eye out for posts in the month of April that contain #SpokenWord2024, they will include some helpful Spoken word tips and inspiration.

wahhh i want to participate in this but i am not comfortable sharing my voice online ((((

@herbalhour, thanks for letting us know! That is why we are going to do it spoken word and visual poetry, that way, you can still submit visual poems without audio! I have seen some of your animated poems before and they are so incredible!!!

AGE GAP ANIMATED REAL

Yesssss That would be incredible!

a collab visual poem with the fabulous @EllieMae! :>
C O W (Oww, My Feelings.)

so, i actually ended up being able to record some spoken word poems, and here they are xD

ode to raindrops on ginkgo leaves: https://voca.ro/1as1g0IzoEoa

a lie for two, a life of rue: https://voca.ro/17icZIM7beta

wash cycle: heavy duty: https://voca.ro/1o3fUqAIBjV5 (hehe speed talking :p)

Here is my first poem! More soon

https://voca.ro/1ga3F3vbQbnQ

Words:

Spoiler

everything i have to give

i am a lighthouse
in a sea of living creatures.
always moving, always swimming faster
than i can find relief.
my guiding ray,
always used,
always needed,
never appreciated,
and never noticed
until you need me again.

my light flickers,
and you only demand perfection.
my gears and motors melt
into a pool of tears and blood,
which keep you warm.
everything i have to give
is always yours to hold
and never mine to cherish.

i stand alone,
hugged only by the endless ocean.
i dont know how far it goes,
or how deep it falls,
but to me it never ends.
to me, you are nothing more than
an omnipotent personage who controls
every emotion i am granted permission to feel.

Here is another!

In the corner of the box of everything i ever lost.

https://voca.ro/1jK9wOioxPqf

Words:

Spoiler

In the corner of the box,
I found myself.
The girl i used to be,
Afraid and alone.

She looked at me with teary eyes,
Why did you hurt me, too?
I didn't mean to hurt you.

But why did you hurt me so much?
It hurt so bad.
She says, tears pouring down her face.

I approach her, but she is scared.
Things get better, I say softly.
She shakes her head to a thought that seems impossible.

I thought i could trust you, she cries.
You were the only one i had.
And so are you.

She looks up at me.
You are the only one i have, i say.
When i was you, i wanted me.
And now that i am me, all i want is you.

You are everything that i have ever lost,
And every reason i have to stay
In a world where i have nothing.

I am so sorry.

Question: does the poem have to be written in the month of April? Especially for spoken word since you'd have to record your voice now, even if the poem is a bit older.

Orabella, that is an awesome question! It is preferred for spoken word poems to be written in April, but if you are unable to do that, you are totally welcome to submit recordings of older poems For visual poems, it is preferred for them to be made this month as well.

I’m finally here!!!

We have a concrete poem:
Family Tree

Spoken Word Poem:
From Forever to Apocalypse

Code Poem (they very one in the advertisement):
HeartFragmentSearch

Tornado Poem:
Grieving all the Liars (You are Three Among Them)

Spoke word poetry with me and my best friend:
https://youtu.be/IAzMfyloTZ8?si=5NOUuF2wJ_fBmUWj