Reading Poetry Contest: share your voice, inspire hope
(2-minute read)
The Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support is inviting local teens to put their creativity to work in the Reading Poetry Contest, an initiative designed to honor lives lost to suicide or substance misuse while inspiring hope and community connection.
The contest is open to teens aged 13 and older, who may submit original work based on one of the three prompts:
May you remember…
You are not alone…
A time to gather…
Submissions are due by September 10, 2025, at midnight. Entries can be submitted online using this form.
A panel of judges will review submissions, and the winner will be announced on September 13, 2025. The winning poet will receive a gift card for poetry books, have their work published on the Town website and in local press, and see their poem showcased in town.
The Town Manager will present the winning poet during the Time to Gather event on September 17, 2025, at 5:00 pm on the Reading Town Common. The winner will also have the honor of reading their poem at this important community gathering.
The poetry contest is part of a broader coalition effort to raise awareness about the 100 lives lost in Reading to suicide or substance misuse over the past 15 years. The Time to Gather event on September 17 will bring together residents to honor those lost, support families, and inspire hope for recovery.
For questions or more information, please contact Jessenia Cruz at JCruz@ReadingMA.gov.
