Things You Can’t Say Out Loud

This Challenge is part of the Vocal+ Summer Writing Series. Learn more

The Prompt

Some truths stay locked behind teeth. They live in glances, dreams, and the quiet between words. This challenge invites you to write the things that never get said: the confessions, the fears, the rage, the tenderness, the truths that feel too raw or risky to voice.

Let your poem become the space where silence breaks. Maybe it’s a whisper. Maybe it’s a scream. Maybe it’s something only you could say, in only the way you say it.

You can experiment with form, rhythm, fragmentation, or structure. Whatever you choose, focus on emotional honesty. Show us what it means to hold back, and what happens when you finally let it out.

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 25, 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• Your work must be original and unpublished.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 50 and 500 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until July 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The Things You Can’t Say 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, 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.