Roots and Branches

This Challenge is part of the Vocal+ Fall Poetry Series. Learn more

The Prompt

For this challenge, we’re asking you to think about what grounds you and what pushes you forward. Roots and branches are one way to imagine it: where you come from, what keeps you steady, and how you keep growing.

Your poem might stay close to the earth, grounded in memory, family, or tradition. Or it might stretch outward, imagining growth, change, and possibility. Both directions matter, and the tension between them can give the poem its shape.

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

• A poem (any style or structure is welcome)
• Between 100 and 500 words.
• Submitted to the Poets community. Your story will be disqualified if it is submitted to any other community.
• Submitted before December 12, 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• Your work must be original and unpublished.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

For your story to be eligible, it must be between 100 and 500 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until December 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The Roots and Branches 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.