Flapper Press Poetry Café Summer Poetry Contest! A Villanelle of Freedom!

FLAPPER PRESS
Jun 2
2 min read

By Flapper Press Poetry Café:

The Flapper Press Poetry Café is happy to announce our 2025 Summer Poetry Contest!

This year, we thought it appropriate and inspiring to focus on the concept of "freedom" and all that it implies. We'll publish the 5 winning poems on July 4 to celebrate the poets who submitted their work and freedom of expression.

This year, we're calling all poets to write villanelles!

What's a "villanelle"?

The villanelle is one of the oldest poetic forms on record, first written during the Renaissance by a Jean Passerat. However, the form did not gain wide popularity until the nineteenth century, evolving from pastoral themes into the contemplation of deeper themes of love and loss.

Villanelle Form:

It is a poem of 19 lines.
It has 5 stanzas of 3 lines each and a final stanza of 4 lines (6 stanzas total).
The first line of the first stanza is repeated as the last line of the second and fourth stanzas.
The third line of the first stanza is repeated as the last line of the third and fifth stanzas.
These two refrain lines follow each other to become the second-to-last and the last lines of the poem.
The rhyme scheme is a-b-a. The rhymes are repeated according to the refrains.
See Eavan Boland, The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms

Considered one of the more difficult forms of poetry to write, only a few villanelles have found fame with the general public. "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas may be the most famous villanelle. Here it is recited by the ever-entertaining Welshman Michael Sheen for the National Theatre:

Elizabeth Bishop's villanelle "One Art" is widely considered to be one of the best. Here it is recited by actress Miranda Otto.

Note: The concept of "freedom" is an expansive topic,

so feel free to interpret it in any way you see fit!

Are you ready to write your own "freedom villanelle"?

Poetry Contest Guidelines

Quick Deadline: Monday, June 30, 2025

1. Submit as many "freedom villanelle" poems as you wish.

2. Submit your poem(s) by email to: info@flapperpress.com

In the subject line, you must include:

Your name and Date of Submission
Title of your original poem. If you are submitting more than one poem, please include the number of poems included in the email.

Example: Anne Sexton — "Title of Your Poem" (or # of poems) — 6.25.25

3. We will announce FIVE selections to feature in a Flapper Press article for the 4th of July.

4. Each of the five selected poets will be awarded $25.

*By submitting, you agree to have Flapper Press publish your poem.

Okay, poets . . . start your villanelle engines!

We can't wait to see what you create!

The Flapper Press Poetry Café

Presenting a wide range of poetry with a mission to promote a love and understanding of poetry for all. We welcome submissions for compelling poetry and look forward to publishing and supporting your creative endeavors. Submissions may also be considered for the Pushcart Prize. Please review our Guidelines before submitting!

To submit your work via our regular Submission Guidelines click here!