Witnessing the World Come Alive: Spring Poetry Submissions
Our seasonal submissions are open from now until April 13th!
Hello Dear Friends,
I spent the weekend sitting in front of the 8th storey window of our hotel room writing and people watching. A common theme that I have observed is one of movement - watching people come in and out of the doors of the theatre across
the street, men shovelling the sidewalk after yesterday’s brief snowfall, and cars driving in and out of the parking stalls.
I’ve noticed the same on my walks by the river - the current rippling along
the edges where the water hasn’t frozen over, Canadian geese swooping and flapping their wings, and melting snow dripping beneath the concrete columns of the bridges.
The days are becoming brighter, louder, and more colorful. There is a subtle quickening of energy moving through all living things in preparation for a season
of new life returning again.
And with that, I am excited to announce that Poetry Outdoors is open for spring poetry submissions from now until Sunday, April 13th at 12 a.m. PST!
The theme of this submission call is Witnessing the World Come Alive.
Your prompt & assignment is to write poetry or prose in response to the act of witnessing the living world come alive — this can be from a window in your home, on your front porch or backyard, or somewhere outside like a walking path where you can be immersed in nature.
Give yourself enough time to fully be in the act of witnessing. Have a notepad and a pen with you if you’d like to jot down what it is that you notice as you are witnessing but try to allow yourself space to be as present as you can be without any distractions.
Submissions Guidelines:
Please submit your poem or prose in a Word or Google Doc format that includes your name, title of your poem, your Substack link, and Instagram handle (if applicable) via email to ashkilback@gmail.com by Sunday, April 27th at 12 a.m. PST.
If your poem is selected, it will be featured on Poetry Outdoors Substack and Poetry Outdoors Instagram throughout the month of May.
I can’t wait to read your work!
With gratitude,
Ash
Such a lovely reason to go outside and pay attention. Sometimes I just need a prompt to give me permission to be that still and present.
Ash, this sounds like a delightful invitation. I'm curious, do you accept previously published work? In a book or website/blog? I have several poems percolating as well that are new and maybe offered able to offer one of those if needed. Thank you!