ENTER A POEM BY THE END OF THE MONTH!

1. Find some inspiration

2. Write a poem

3. Click one of the options below to enter your poem in the SCORES Poetry Contest

* You’ll get a FREE SOCCER BALL just for entering your best poem. The Grand prize for top poem is a $100 gift card to soccer.com

For ideas and inspiration, discover the SCORES Words in Action Poetry Journal

A Poem

By: Poet Athlete

In a poem you can express things.

Your thoughts and feelings and other things, too.

Rules?    There ain’t many.

      If any.

In fact… writing poetry is like playing soccer.

In soccer

you run as fast as a cheetah,

like a lightning bolt down the field.

Doing tricks, chasing glory, trying to score a goal.

In poetry

every run, every trick, is a fresh line on your page.

Trying to describe the world in new and unusual ways.

Poem Scoring (10 points max)

Poetic Language

EXCELLENT (4 points) — Poem uses poetic language and interesting vocabulary that engages the reader. Poem has structure and flows well.

MODERATE (2 points) — Poem uses some poetic language and vocabulary. The structure has some flaws and does not flow perfectly.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT (0 points) — Poem lacks most or all of poetic language. The poem is difficult to follow.

Idea and Theme

EXCELLENT (4 points) — This poem has a clear idea, theme, and purpose throughout the writing.

MODERATE (2 points) — The poem has some idea, theme, or purpose.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT (0 points) — The poem does not have clear ideas or a theme and does not have a story or purpose.

Tone and Mood

EXCELLENT (2 points) — The poem has clear emotion(s) from the writer's words/attitude. The poem creates a mood through vocabulary choices and strong writing.

MODERATE (1 point) — The poem creates some emotion from the writer. The poem creates a mood that is understandable but not as clear.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT (0 points) — The poem is lacking in emotion and tone. The poem has little or no mood.