Black Poet Miniature Challenge

​Our Call for Creative-in-Residence Marlanda Dekine, is curating a poetry challenge: the Black Poet Miniature Challenge (#BPMC)!

In this installation, poets who identify as Black and part of the African diaspora are challenged to compose haikus and tankas! All ages are encouraged to participate, and each poet will receive a $75 honorarium (via PayPal or check). Your poem can be submitted as written text, recorded voice, or a video recording of you reading the poem.

* if wanting to use electronic or digital elements, or think outside of these parameters in any way, please consult with Marlanda at mdekine@gmail.com BEFORE starting your poem!
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What is a Haiku?

Example:
may yo seasons be
long with endless green streets and
permanent summer legs. (Sonia Sanchez, Under A Soprano Sky 81)

What is a Tanka?

Example: 
i kneel down like a
collector of jewels before
you. i am singing
one long necklace of love my
mouth a sapphire of grapes. (Sonia Sanchez, Tanka)

Timeline

• Poems are due August 31, 2021 by 11:59PM; early submissions are welcome and encouraged!
  
• The poems will be shared in various presentations during Castle of our Skins's upcoming season. Stay tuned for more information about the premieres of these poems! 

How to submit

• Please send your poem as a PDF, MP4, or WAV file and any relevant format to David@CastleSkins.org. *Note: if sending multiple files, please use Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, WeTransfer, or other multifile web service
  
• Along with your poetry submission, please send a creative headshot and a 100 word or less bio, with any social media handles/website links you would like shared
  
• To allow for a wide variety of voices, please submit one (1) poem per person

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​WE LOOK FORWARD TO PREMIERING
​YOUR HAIKUS & TANKAS! ​