The winning poem of the 2026 ACADIA POETRY PRIZE will appear in our summer issue. It will be awarded to a poem which most capably realizes the possibilities of poetic form for artistic responses to the theme of "nature & humankind." Prize-winning poems exemplify the precept that in successful poetry, "every force evolves a form." 

Poems should be original, unpublished works of no more than 3 pages in length. Poems generated or edited by AI are not eligible. Translations may be submitted under the name and with the permission of the original, living author. Prizes will be awarded to the original author. 

The author of the winning poem will receive a US$100 prize.

Persons with a personal or professional relationship to Hawk & Whippoorwill, Bonfire Press or Pen & Anvil are not eligible for prize consideration. 

We seek poems which speak to some aspect of the relationship between "nature & humankind." We are interested in nature poetry which is incisive, sharable, risky, and current. Verbal richness is great, as is resourcefulness in making use of scientific knowledge and formal innovation. We want to see your lines which are -- to paraphrase poet Alissa Valles -- suitable for engraving on a ring or a stone. 

We are especially keen to hear from writers who can help us improve the diversity and intersectionality of our community of contributors.

We eschew work which is AI-generated, ungrammatical, trite, doggerel, mawkish, uninteresting, boring, benumbed, or pretentious. Sonnets about backyard birding should be so excellent as to justify the poet's disinterest in e.g. ecological disruption, climate crisis,  or species loss. 

We read submissions on an ongoing basis for two issues a year, published on the summer and winter solstices.

Submission fees help to pay our print costs. Writers for whom the submission fee is onerous should contact the editors directly by email to inquire about the possibility of a waiver.

We seek poems which speak to some aspect of the relationship between "nature & humankind." We are interested in nature poetry which is incisive, sharable, risky, and current. Verbal richness is great, as is resourcefulness in making use of scientific knowledge and formal innovation. We want to see your lines which are -- to paraphrase poet Alissa Valles -- suitable for engraving on a ring or a stone. 

We are especially keen to hear from writers who can help us improve the diversity and intersectionality of our community of contributors.

We eschew work which is AI-generated, ungrammatical, trite, doggerel, mawkish, uninteresting, boring, benumbed, or pretentious. Sonnets about backyard birding should be so excellent as to justify the poet's disinterest in e.g. ecological disruption, climate crisis,  or species loss. 

We read submissions on an ongoing basis for two issues a year, published on the summer and winter solstices.

Submission fees help to pay our print costs. Writers for whom the submission fee is onerous should contact the editors directly by email to inquire about the possibility of a waiver.

Submit in this category to receive a print copy of the next print issue. For US-based authors only; writers outside the US should contact the editors directly by email to inquire about placing an order.

We seek poems which speak to some aspect of the relationship between "nature & humankind." We are interested in nature poetry which is incisive, sharable, risky, and current. Verbal richness is great, as is resourcefulness in making use of scientific knowledge and formal innovation. We want to see your lines which are -- to paraphrase poet Alissa Valles -- suitable for engraving on a ring or a stone. 

We are especially keen to hear from writers who can help us improve the diversity and intersectionality of our community of contributors.

We eschew work which is AI-generated, ungrammatical, trite, doggerel, mawkish, uninteresting, boring, benumbed, or pretentious. Sonnets about backyard birding should be so excellent as to justify the poet's disinterest in e.g. ecological disruption, climate crisis,  or species loss. 

We read submissions on an ongoing basis for two issues a year, published on the summer and winter solstices.

Submission fees help to pay our print costs. Writers for whom the submission fee is onerous should contact the editors directly by email to inquire about the possibility of a waiver.

Submit in this category to receive a print copy of the next print issue. For US-based authors only; writers outside the US should contact the editors directly by email to inquire about placing an order.

We seek poems which speak to some aspect of the relationship between "nature & humankind." We are interested in nature poetry which is incisive, sharable, risky, and current. Verbal richness is great, as is resourcefulness in making use of scientific knowledge and formal innovation. We want to see your lines which are -- to paraphrase poet Alissa Valles -- suitable for engraving on a ring or a stone. 

We are especially keen to hear from writers who can help us improve the diversity and intersectionality of our community of contributors.

We eschew work which is AI-generated, ungrammatical, trite, doggerel, mawkish, uninteresting, boring, benumbed, or pretentious. Sonnets about backyard birding should be so excellent as to justify the poet's disinterest in e.g. ecological disruption, climate crisis,  or species loss. 

We read submissions on an ongoing basis for two issues a year, published on the summer and winter solstices.

Submission fees help to pay our print costs. Writers for whom the submission fee is onerous should contact the editors directly by email to inquire about the possibility of a waiver.