Short and Sweet Challenge Winners (Updated 8/11/2023)

Write a love poem using only words with four letters or less.

There are so many ways to restrict a writing prompt. We thought it would be fun to limit you to words with up to four letters. In our own attempts at this prompt, we found that it kept our poetry sharp and surprising. At its most basic, we thought of words then replaced them with shorter ones. But when the prompt was really working, it forced us to change whole stanzas or even entire poems.

Boiling words down to their shortest iterations wasn't really the point anymore. The point was, at least for us, to begin to think quickly, monosyllabically even, about writing poetry. How could we imbue the line or stanza with the most meaning with the fewest letters, let the poem rise to the Challenge, not cram a poem into a few short words.

Clearly, we're still thinking about this and it's clear that you thought hard about it, too. Once again, limitation has bred brilliance.

Here are the winners of the Short and Sweet Challenge and spotlight on one of the Runners-Up. You can check out the full list of winners HERE.

$500 Grand Prize Winner

Kate Kastelberg for Worm Moon

A good poem about love rarely mentions the word.

In Worm Moon we are given insight into many moments of love, into revelations about love, though we never see the word love. An owl racing back to its nest over a stunningly described landscape, his partner greeting him, revealing babies on the way, and in happiness, the male owl calls out that his partner should have everything she wants in this life, even the moon.

This poem is delicate but deep, each line builds upon the last. There is no wasted room here. Only yearning, revelation and love, and truly excellent writing. Congratulations, Kate Kastelberg!

$250 Second Place Winner

Hannah Moore for I try to sink

Moore's poem had the tight, natural feel of a haiku. A description of nature using quick, vivid imagery and a twist at the end. It had the same impact, too. Diminutive in its overall length, it left us with a fascinating feeling. This poem felt more like an unlove poem than a love poem. A couple recognizing the bomb hit holes that are covered by the sea, by life, but when life recedes, in the quiet moments, there they are, unavoidable, looking to be filled.

Will the holes be filled by the incoming wave and will that make everything okay again? Will this couple forever be avoiding their troubles? That's what we were left feeling after reading this poem. A tough and beautiful (and very real) message. Congratulations, Hannah Moore!

Honorable Mention

G. Douglas Kerr for So Well

Fun. That's what this poem was. We were with the protagonist for every syllable. Remember how we said good love poems don't mention the word love? This is a fantastic example of a metaphor done well. The cake is really a cake, the cake is the protagonist, the cake is their potential love, the cake is everything. We loved the energy of this poem. Loved. Well done, G. Douglas Kerr!

Addendum

It was brought to our attention by our creators that half of the Runners-up did not follow the most basic premise of the challenge: to only use words with 4 letters or less. Although the nature of what constitutes a love poem is subjective, a letter count is not. We understand how disappointing this was, and have issued 5 new Runners-up that adhere to these rules today, August 11, 2023. We recognize that it should not be the responsibility of the community to point this egregious error out to us, and we thank you for holding us accountable. We are having serious talks as an organization about how to improve the judging process, and aim to do right by you and the rules in every future challenges. All feedback is welcome and appreciated.

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