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Prompt

The apocalypse has begun. You must bunker down in a concrete shelter to survive. What do you bring with you? What is the one thing that cannot be left behind, no matter what? After choosing your desired object, use it to create a concrete poem that explains why you need it.

Think of what would fill you with hope. What would be an inspiring light to you in dark times? What emotions does it inspire? In honor of Inscape’s motto, choose something bizarre, something believing, and/or something beautiful.

A concrete poem, also known as a shape poem, is a poem that is not in the standard block format but instead is placed within the frame of a certain shape that connects to what the poem is about. For example, a concrete poem about a dog could be in the shape of a dog, or a bone, or a collar, etc. Here’s a link for a tutorial on how to create a concrete poem on Microsoft Word: floridawriters.blog/using-microsoft-word-to-write-concrete-poetry.

Dates

February 17th to March 16th, 2026

First Place Winner

La Muerte Blanca by Jedidiah Flores

Runner Up

The Final Sky by Anderson Griggs