I Didn’t Say That Out Loud

The Prompt

Some truths live in the back of our minds, never spoken but always present. This challenge invites you to put them on the page. Write a poem built from the things you keep quiet — the thoughts that feel too risky, too raw, too strange, or too vulnerable to say out loud.

Maybe it is a quiet confession. Maybe it is a scream that never left your throat. Maybe it is something tender or terrifying or both. Whatever it is, bring it forward. Let the poem say it for you.

Your tone can be reflective, unfiltered, restrained, or explosive. Let your language mirror the pressure of holding something in and the release of finally letting it out.

This is your space to speak what you have been keeping silent.

In order for your submission to qualify, it must be:

• A poem (any style or structure is welcome).
• Between 50 and 500 words.
• Submitted to the Poets community. Your story will be disqualified if it is submitted to any other community.
• Submitted before June 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.
• Your work must be original and unpublished.

The Prizes

• Grand Prize: $500
• Second Place: $200
• 15 Runners-Up: $15 each
• 10 Honorable Mentions: Badge

For your story to be eligible, it must be between 50 and 500 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until June 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The I Didn’t Say That Out Loud Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+, visit https://vocal.media/vocal-plus.

To be eligible to win the grand prize, second place, or runners-up prizes, you must be over the age of 13 and reside in a country where Stripe is available at the time of entry. A complete list of countries where Stripe is available can be found here—winners will need a Stripe account created and connected to receive prizes. Entrants located outside of these countries will not be eligible to win.