June ’25 Poetry Contest — Comfort Zone: A Place You Should Not Be Found

This month’s contest was opened with a stirring theme that challenged every poet to dig deep: “Comfort Zone.” The contest was born from a place of reflection and growth. In the founder's Word, she shared: 

"In my little experience, I’ve had to step beyond what felt safe. Some call it risk; I call it faith. Because He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world."

— Founder, Mrs Opeyemi Moses

Few people have stayed in their comfort zone for too long, only to realise they have the inner strength to do what they have been running from all along. 

Comfort zones feel safe, but they often mask true potential. It is safe to say there is no iota of discomfort in comfort zones. However, operating from such a mindset quietly hinders growth and blurs the visibility of what anyone can become. This perfectly explains why the theme was selected. Everyone needs to step out of their places of comfort. 

The contest was officially announced on June 1, 2025, with the submission deadline fixed for June 9, 2025. Within that time frame, YemiPoet received a total of 310 poems from participants across various countries, states, age groups, and backgrounds.

Submission link 
All submission entries were received via the platform’s official website — www.yemipoetproduction.com — as stated in the bio of the Instagram page, @yemipoet.

Evaluation Criteria
The evaluation process remained consistent. Each entry was assessed based on originality, accurate interpretation of the theme, clarity of expression, creativity, use of imagery, language, structure, emotional impact, appropriate titling, adherence to deadlines, and other publicly announced criteria. These standards ensured fairness while recognising each poet’s unique voice.

Using these criteria, the judges successfully identified the following:

Top Thirty Poets on June 20, in no particular order

Top Ten Poets on June 22, in no particular order

Top Three Winners, officially announced on June 24

Winners Spotlight 

Oluwafunmibi Peculiar

The Room I Outgrew

First Place

Temilola Keziah A. 

A Castle for a Kingdom

Second Place

Sajini Peace 

Warmth of the Cocoon

Third Place

Winners Award 
A total of ₦75,000 was awarded to our winners according to their positions.