VFP Voices of Peace Poetry Contest 2025

This is the 30th year of the VFP Voices of Peace Poetry Contest, sponsored by Cape Cod Veterans for Peace, Corporal Jeffrey M. Lucey, Chapter 041. Participation in this contest has remained strong through the years, which attests to the relevance of our peace theme for all time. We provide the community, from kindergarten to adults, an opportunity to voice their vision for a better world. In the contest's 29 years, 14,163 Cape and Islands poets have participated.

Support and assistance is provided by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, who generously helps fund this yearly project; Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, who prints our publication of winning poems; an esteemed team of veterans, teachers, poets and others, who volunteer on the judging panel; as well as generous support from Jeffrey Lucey's family and funding from the Natalie Bailey and Herbert J. Kirshner Foundation.

Please pay close attention to the attached leaflet specifying the criteria, theme and format of poems. Submissions must be received by the DUE DATE, Friday, March 28, 2025.

Contestants may submit only one poem, on one side of an 8 1/2 x 11 vertical page, in free verse, rhyme or any form of poetry. Entries should be original, unpublished poems focusing on: thoughts of peace and the abolition of war, hate or violence; what I can do to help make a peaceful world for all; some of the ways war can be avoided; inner peace; how we become peaceful within ourselves; or on examples of nonviolent attitudes and actions that lead to friendship, negotiation, social justice and peace.

Preferred submission format is a PDF file attached to an email, sent to teppernina2@gmail.com with the Subject Line: VFP Poetry Contest. Entries can still be mailed to: Veterans For Peace, 45 Sassafras Lane, Marstons Mills, MA 02648

We look forward to gathering together again to experience the power of peace poetry. The Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025 at South Congregational Church, Centerville, with winners' registration beginning at 9:30 AM.

All winners receive a certificate, a published book of winning poems, and an invitation to read their poem at our Awards Ceremony. In addition, First Honors poets will receive a cash prize of $25 and Second Honors poets receive $15.

For more specific submission information, review the attached leaflet, visit www.vfpcapecod.org or contact Nina Tepper at email teppernina2@gmail.com using "VFP Poetry Contest" in the subject line.

Category: Community | Local / Community