“Earth in Verse” Poetry & Lyrics Challenge

Dictionary.com is celebrating National Poetry Month with an Earth Day twist! We’re challenging everyone to express themselves with an original short poem about the beauty and power of nature. It can be a haiku about the changing seasons, a rhyme about rolling rivers, or a free verse on the magic of the night sky—let your words honor this world we call home! 

Through April 15, we’ll be publishing our favorite submissions on this page. Check back here each day to see if we’ve featured your poem!

The Challenge

Poetry can be intimidating, so we’ve made a challenge that really is for everyone. There are only two simple rules:

  1. It can be any kind of poem as long as it’s from two to five lines: couplet, haiku, hip-hop lyrics, limerick, unrhymed free verse—all forms of poetry welcome!
  2. It must be about the earth or nature-related. From towering mountains to the tiniest sprout, every detail of our planet is poem-worthy. 

Need some help getting started? Check out these articles on how to “Talk About Poetry With These Introductory Poetic Terms” and “How to Write a Haiku: Tips and Examples

The Prizes

The first-place poet will snag a $150 gift card plus some Dictionary.com swag to celebrate their lyrical genius. Second and third place aren’t missing out either—they’ll each take home a $100 gift card and some fun Dictionary.com-themed goodies. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or just love to play with words, this is your chance to shine! So, grab your pen (or quill, if you’re feeling fancy) and let the verses flow!

Submission Form

Challenge: Write a poem that is about the earth or nature-related. Your poem must have at least 2 lines, but no more than 5.

The last day to submit is April 15. To participate, you must be 18 years of age or older.

Only one entry per person. To be eligible, you must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and be 18 years of age or older. Read the official contest rules, terms, and conditions and please use the submission form below.

2025 Poetry & Lyrics Challenge Form

Examples & Inspiration

We’ve challenged the employees at Dictionary.com and IXL Learning, Inc. to see if they can rise to the occasion! 

“Tigers, in all their fearful symmetry, 

Disappear in sun-dappled leaves and shade

Or else in the fast unraveling wilds

Where evolution’s anvils come unmade

To tall grass and Greek Fire’s threnody.”

-Anonymous, Curriculum 

 

“I moved too fast, computer-speed

Until a sloth became my lead.

It’s dry up here in the canopy

As peaceful as…a dictionary.”

-Jonathan R., Customer Service

Featured Submissions

 

Dusty roads wind where rivers run,

Old oak groans ‘neath a setting sun.

This ground’s got stories, etched in stone,

A wild guitar riff, a lonesome moan.

Yeah, the Earth’s a highway, we’re just rollin’ on.

-Jacob Roland

 

Oscillating susurrations

Reverberate in my ears

Vivid leaves

Lifting their supplications

To azure firmaments

Keira Mueller

 

Dunstan Street

ripe loquat children

bend boughs like elbowed candy

plucked straight and dusty

Jennifer Hunt

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