ROCKLAND — Whether you are at the Grand Canyon or in your own backyard, there is always something thought-provoking going on in nature. From spring’s swelling buds to winter’s last rattling leaves, nature is full of poetry. What do you see or hear? What can you smell or feel? 

Rockland Public Library submits the following guidelines for its 2022 Poetry Contest:

Two age categories- 12 and Under. 13 and Up. 
1 submission per person. 
Poems should be one page. That can be written, photographed, typed, etc. but no more than a one page document will be accepted. 
If you choose to include a photo or drawing, please make it a COPY, as they won’t be returned. 
Don’t forget to include a note stating WHERE you were inspired, whether a favorite land trust preserve, state or city park, or town name of your secret outdoor space. 

Submit your poems one of three ways: 

      By Mail: send to Rockland Public Library, 80 Union St, Rockland, ME 04841. Write POETRY CONTEST and AGE CATEGORY on the OUTSIDE of the envelope. 

      In Person: same as above, feel free to drop off with staff at the check-out desk. Write POETRY CONTEST and AGE CATEGORY on the OUTSIDE of the envelope. 

      By Email: send as an attachment to rocklandlibrary207@gmail.com. Attachments can be in Word, PDF, JPEG, or PNG formats ONLY. Include POETRY CONTEST and AGE CATEGORY in the subject line. 

If mailing or dropping off, two copies of the poem must be submitted, one with no identifying information and one with name, address, phone number/email on the back of the poem. Poems must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 8. Poems will be judged blindly. The top 3 will be chosen in each age category. These winners will be invited to read their poem at a nature-themed open mic on Tuesday evening, April 26.

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