This year’s Anne Bradstreet Poetry Contest invites poets to look outward with care and attention through the theme An Eye for the World — What Do You See? In a time when so much moves quickly and demands reaction, poetry asks us to slow down and notice: the small moments, the overlooked details, the acts of kindness, struggle, and courage that shape our communities. Words have the power to help individuals and groups grow, to name what matters, and to offer space for reflection and healing. By beginning with observation and witnessing what we see, we deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world we share. We invite poets of all ages from the Greater Merrimack Valley and beyond to participate in this year’s contest, and we look forward to reading the words you choose to bring into view.
Links and Resources
Downloadable Prompt sheet
OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES
This year, the Anne Bradstreet Poetry Contest is open to poets living throughout the Greater Merrimack Valley region and beyond.
Submissions are accepted in 5 age categories:
- Grades K-2
- Grades 3-5
- Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- High School (Grades 9-12)
- Adult
- Submissions are limited to one poem per person.
- The poems can be in any style. They can be rhyming or free verse. Write a poem however the theme inspires you. Be creative!
- The poem should be newly written for this year’s contest and not have been submitted elsewhere.
The winner and finalists in each category will be invited to perform their poems on the North Andover Common at the awards celebration in May.
By submitting a poem, the author / parent / guardian gives the North Andover Poet Laureate Committee the right to publish the poems online on the contest website and in a collected book of poems for the event.
Parents/guardians of school age children have the right to approve what identifying information for school age children is published: 1) the name, school, and grade, 2) initials, school and grade, or 3) only school and grade is published.
The poem copyright remains with the author.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR POEM
Submit Poem Here
By submitting a poem to the contest you are agreeing to the official contest rules
CONTEST DATES
CONTEST DATES
- January 25 Contest Opens
- April 3 Final date to submit poems
- April 24 Winners and finalists announced
- May 2 Award ceremony on the North Andover Common . Winners and finalists will read their poems.
- May 9 rain date
Email any questions to [email protected]
The contest and poetry celebration is sponsored by the
North Andover Poet Laureate Committee
Karen M. Kline, Chair