The UPLI GLOBAL POETRY CONTEST is an on-line international poetry competition sponsored by UPLI as an organization together with its individual board members. It is open to all poets around the world.
The aims of the contest are:
There will be a total of nine contest categories (based on poetry forms / themes) as follows:
CATEGORY 1: YUZON LEGACY AWARD (IN HONOR OF THE YUZON PRESIDENTS OF UPLI)
Any Verse Form
Open to any verse form, with the theme “WE ARE ALL ONE”, focusing on any of the following ideas: world peace, brotherhood, unity, understanding, harmony, cooperation, anti-war, anti-terrorism, anti-exploitation of women, children and minorities, extending help to victims of calamities, war refugees, etc. and related concepts.
The poem should be in English, or should have an English translation if originally written in another language. It will be judged in English. The poem should fit one typed page (thirty lines maximum).
Sponsored by Mr. Virgilio A. Yuzon (Philippines)
In honor of UPLI Past Presidents Dr. Amado M. Yuzon and Dr. Benjamin R. Yuzon
CATEGORY 2: THE DR. WANDA RIDER AWARD
Rhymed Verse
Open to any subject, but the poem should promote thought and reflect a positive turn of events that could bring about a positive outcome.
The poem should be in English or have an English translation. It will be judged in English. Maximum thirty lines to fit in one typed page.
Sponsored by Dr. Wanda A. Rider (U.S.A.)
CATEGORY 3: THE DR. FAN KUANLING AWARD
Hsinku
The category is for HSINKU, a “new old form” developed in Chinese by illustrious International Poet, Dr. Fan Kuanling. The new “hsinku” has been liberated from the restriction of the traditional form in that the writer may freely use modern language and modes of expression. The short poem has four lines, rhymed abxb. The first three lines set up a situation or scene, and the fourth line gives an unexpected twist or an interesting unique ending.
Poems may be entered in English, Chinese or any other language with an English translation or description. They will be judged in English or Chinese (if this is the original language used).
Sponsored by Dr. Kenneth Kuanling Fan (China)
CATEGORY 4: THE PROF. NORIKO MIZUSAKI AWARD
Haiku
This category is for the HAIKU, a short three-line poem in the Japanese haiku style. In English, it is usually written as a three-line poem, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third. Poems may be submitted in English or Japanese with an English translation. Poems will be judged in English or the original Japanese.
Sponsored by Professor Noriko Mizusaki (Japan)
CATEGORY 5: THE MARY HALLIBURTON AWARD
Free Verse in English
This category is for FREE VERSE, poems that do not have rhyme or rhythm and no set meter or particular structure. The subject is open and the poems will be judged based on artistic expression. Poems should be submitted in English or with an English translation. They will be judged in English.
Poems must fit one typed page (thirty lines maximum).
Sponsored by Ms. Mary E. Halliburton (U.S.A.)
CATEGORY 6: THE REX VALENTINE AWARD
Narrative Form
This category is for NARRATIVE POETRY, or any poem that tells a story. The subject is open. Please submit poems in English or with an English translation. Entries should fit one typed page. Entries will be judged in English.
Sponsored by Mr. Rex B. Valentine (U.S.A.)
CATEGORY 7: THE JUDY CHEUNG AWARD
Any Non-English Form
Any poetry written in English in a form not originally created in English (except Haiku, Hsinku which have their own awards). The contestants will name and describe the form and country of origin.
Sponsored by Ms. Judy Hardin Cheung (U.S.A.)
CATEGORY 8: THE NATICA ANGILLY AWARD
Dancing Poetry
This category is for DANCING POETRY, poetry that can be perceived as Danceable, uplifting, and outreaching. This poetry form, as conceived by its originator, Ms. Natica Angilly, aims to contribute to the ideal of furthering understanding through the fusion of poetry with dance as a unified art form. Any subject, any form, including free verse – all are all vehicles of Dancing Poetry. The poems should portray motion, music, rhythm and lyricism.
Please limit entries to thirty lines (one typed page) and enter in English or with an English translation. Poems will be judged in English.
Sponsored by Ms. Natica Angilly (U.S.A.)
CATEGORY 9: THE ALEXANDER FUI SAK CHANG AWARD
Short Free Verse in Chinese or English
This category is for SHORT FREE VERSE, maximum fourteen lines on any subject, any style. Poems may be submitted in Chinese (with an English translation) or in English. They will be judged in Chinese or English. The English versions of the winning entries will be published with the original for wider appreciation.
Please enter haiku, hsinku and other non-English traditional forms in their designated categories of this contest, not in this category.
Sponsored by Mr. Alexander Fui Sak Chang (Australia)
(If there is an insufficient number of entries in any category or if the judges do not deem the entries qualified for specific prizes, they may withhold the awarding of such prizes.)
Choose one of two easy ways to submit your entries. For your convenience, and for more fool-proof submission, the preferred system is A. UPLI Website Submission.
For either option, the first step is to type your poem in WORD DOCUMENT and save it in any folder easily accessible to you. Type the poem as you would like it to appear in final form (use basic fonts).
Please refer to the specific guidelines of the poetry category you wish to join.