2-Day Poem Contest
The 2-Day Poem Contest is now closed!
This year’s words were verklempt, brackish, fossicking, lodestar, parrot, sickly, glossy, rag, flush, and pickle.
Thank you so much to everyone who participated. Stay tuned for the People’s Choice voting period and the other winners in the coming months!
What is the 2-Day Poem Contest?
This annual contest challenges you to write an original poem in 48 hours — with only one catch. The final poem must include ten words that we provide. These words are released at midnight CDT on Friday, April 19th, 2024 (when Friday becomes Saturday), leaving you 48 hours to use each of them at least once in an original poetry composition. Prizes include cash, publication, and a copy of the issue containing the winners, not to mention a whole weekend of wordy entertainment.
Official 2-Day Poet’s Rules
- You have 48 hours from 12 AM (CDT) April 19, 2024 (when Friday becomes Saturday) to 12 AM (CDT) April 21, 2024 (when Sunday becomes Monday) to write your best poem, using all 10 words that we provide.
- The list of words will be available on our website for the duration of the contest period.
- Each word must be used at least once in the body of the final entry. Words may be used in the title, but must also appear in the body of the poem.
- Each word must be spelled exactly as provided. Words provided should not be altered in any way. Tense changes, suffixes, plurals, etc. are not permitted, although caps and lowercase uses are both permitted.
- The words may not be used as proper nouns.
- Each word must be used in proper context to qualify. If you are unsure what a word means, look the word up in a dictionary. If a word has multiple meanings you may decide which meaning to use. If you use the word more than once in the poem, the meaning of the word does not necessarily have to be the same. We are using merriam-webster.com for all our definitions for the 2024 2-Day Poem Contest.
- Submitted poems may not exceed 48 lines of text not including the title. Stanza breaks DO NOT count as lines, nor do subheadings or the title.
- Only one poem may be entered per participant.
- Racist, homophobic or defamatory writing will be disqualified.
Contest fees
You must be registered and pay the contest fee in order to submit your poem for judging. The registration deadline for 2024 is April 8th. If you aren’t registered, feel free to play along, but your poem will not be considered. This contest takes place yearly in April.
“Play & Read” discount – $26. Includes registration plus a 1-year subscription to CV2 magazine. You save over 60% off our standard subscription price.
Or:
Registration only – $16.
Contest prizes
First Prize: $500 plus a one-year subscription and publication in CV2 magazine.
Second Prize: $300 plus a one-year subscription and publication in CV2 magazine.
Third Prize: $150 plus a one-year subscription and publication in CV2 magazine.
Editor’s Choice: one-year subscription and publication in CV2 magazine
Editor’s Mom’s Choice: a one-year subscription and publication in CV2 magazine
People’s Choice: a one-year subscription and publication in CV2 magazine
Winners in all categories will also be published online.
What’s unique about this contest?
It’s a contest that challenges you to write under pressure. The 10 words will lead you to new creative places – and a poem you never would have written otherwise.
We’d like to thank Assiniboine Credit Union for sponsoring the 2024 2-Day Contest!
Winning poems from previous years