ROCKLAND — The Rockland Public Library has opened it’s annual Earth Day poetry contest. 

EARTH DAY

Do you love flowers, animals, birds or fish? How does getting out into nature make you feel? Are you concerned with climate change, the water we drink, or Earth’s biodiversity? This is our only home. Let’s celebrate it! This year we want to hear why Earth Day is important to you. Put pen to paper and share your thoughts.

GUIDELINES–

Categories are as follows: 
Child 1 = Ages 4(or younger)-7    
Child 2 = Ages 8-12                                             
Teen = Ages 13-17                          
Adult = Age 18 and beyond.

You get to creatively interpret the theme any way you like, but do not write outside the theme. Limit entries to one per person. Poems may be submitted from Wednesday, March 4 through Wednesday, April 15. We will announce the winners on Wednesday, April 22, Earth Day!

Teens and Adults:

Poems to be submitted have only the following guidelines: Line limit- approximately 40 lines (or what fits on one side of a single sheet of paper in 12 point font). Two copies of the poem must be submitted, one with no identifying information and one with name, address, phone number, email (optional) on the back of the poem. Poems should be typed.

Child 1 and Child 2:

Write a poem of any length (up to a single page). Accompanying art is most welcome, but not required. Please provide two copies, one with no name and one with name and home AND school contact information. Poems in the categories of Child 1 and Child 2 need not be typed.

NOTE: Adults and teens may enter “a children’s poem,” i.e. a poem written FOR children, but it should be submitted in the ADULT category.

Submit poems by mail or in person to Rockland Public Library, 80 Union Street, Rockland, ME 04841. Write POETRY CONTEST and age category on the outside of the envelope. Emailed entries will be accepted at rocklandlibrary207@gmail.com, no later than 5 p.m., on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Poems MUST be attached as a PDF or Word document and adhere to the above formatting guidelines. You may submit at any time before the deadline, so get writing!

By entering the Poetry Contest, you agree to allow the Rockland Public Library to use and/or reproduce your poem (in part or whole), credited to author, for use in promotional material or as part of a collected work. Winners will be announced by Earth Day, April 22, 2020.

Contact Jessica Blanchard at the Rockland Public Library at 594-0310 or jblanchard@rocklandmaine.gov for further information.