The Sound of First Frost

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

The Prompt

For this challenge, pay attention to the shift when autumn gives way to winter. The air shifts, the light fades differently, and every sound, taste, and touch feels like a signal of change.

Your poem should lean on the senses. Notice the textures, the scents, the sounds that belong to this in-between time. Let the details speak to change without needing to name it outright.

Write like you are standing outside, watching the season turn in real time.

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 November 14, 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• Your work must be original and unpublished.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 November 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The The Sound of First Frost 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.