Light Breaks Water
Write a poem that feels like sunlight touching the surface.
Prizes
- 5 Winners:
- $200
- 15 Runners-up:
- $15
- 10 Honorable Mentions:
- $5
Status
CompletedTimeline
Submissions opened
Jun 13, 2025
Submissions closed
Jul 12, 2025 3:59 AM CUT
Results
Jul 25, 2025
Prizes
- 5 Winners:
- $200
- 15 Runners-up:
- $15
- 10 Honorable Mentions:
- $5
Status
CompletedTimeline
Submissions opened
Jun 13, 2025
Submissions closed
Jul 12, 2025 3:59 AM CUT
Results
Jul 25, 2025
About this challenge
This Challenge is part of the Vocal+ Summer Writing Series. Learn more
The Prompt
Write a poem that feels like sunlight touching the surface.
This prompt is about stillness, tension, and release. The moment before something ripples. The kind of clarity that arrives without warning. A shift in light, a shift in feeling. Maybe it’s summer. Maybe it’s memory. Maybe it’s just the quiet you’ve been circling for a while.
Write a poem that holds that moment gently; when something small, like water or silence or breath, catches the light and shows you something new.
Your poem can be luminous or heavy, delicate or fractured. Let your language reflect the surface.
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 July 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.
- Your work must be original and unpublished.
The Prizes
- 5 Winners: $200 each
- 15 Runners-up: $15 each
- 10 Honorable Mentions: $5 each
How to enter
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 July 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.
The Light Breaks Water Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+, visit https://vocal.media/vocal-plus.
To be eligible to win, 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.
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