Poetry in Public: Submit a Poem

The theme is Places of Landing. The length is 50 words or fewer. The author is you! King County residents: submit your poem for a chance to share your words on transit, online, and in the community.

Poems will be selected by a diverse panel of poets and writers for display online. Of the poems selected for online publication, a portion will be featured on select King County Metro and Sound Transit buses, trains, and stations in 2024. Only one poem per King County resident will be accepted. All eligible poems received by October 30, 2023, 11:59 pm PDT will be reviewed.

How to Submit Your Poem

Compose a poem related to the theme Places of Landing in 50 words or fewer, not counting the title.
Follow the link in the sidebar to start a Poem Submission Form.
On your Poem Submission Form, format the poem text box as you would like your poem to appear when published.
Review your submission form for accuracy. You will not be able to access or edit your entry after you submit.

The Rules

Only one poem per King County resident.
Poems submitted in languages other than English must include an English translation. The submitted English translation is for the review panel’s reference only. If your poem is selected, it may be professionally translated before being published.
Poems must be your original work and must be 50 words or fewer, not counting the title.
Authors retain copyright for poems but grant Poetry in Public the right to display the selected poems.
Poems must be submitted by October 30, 2023 at 11:59 pm PDT.

Selection Process

Poems will be selected on the basis of:
- Relation to the theme Places of Landing
- Artistic merit
- Appropriateness for display on transit and online
- Compliance with instructions
Poems will be assessed in categories that include: Poetry in Public “communities of focus” (African American, Chinese, Filipino, Indigenous, Spanish-speaking, and Youth) and “general public poets.”
All poets will be notified about the results of the selection process by early 2024. Of the poems selected for online exhibition, a portion of those will be featured on select King County Metro and Sound Transit buses, trains, stations, and stops in 2024.