Yemipoet May Poetry Contest’26: Broken, Molded and Made New
The Yemipoet May Poetry Contest invited poets to explore the theme Broken, Molded and Made New. The theme focused on transformation, restoration, and the relationship between human brokenness and the work of the Potter who reshapes lives into something new.
Participants were encouraged to reflect and write on the process of being broken, molded, and renewed. Through poetry, they shared stories of growth, healing, faith, resilience, and redemption.
Each poem was to follow a structure of just four stanzas and sixteen lines in total.
Submission Process
Contest Announced: 1st May, 2026
Submissions Closed: 10th May, 2026
Submission Platform: The official submission link provided through the @yemipoet Instagram Bio
https://yemipoetproduction.com/
Total Entries: 260 submissions were received from poets across diverse backgrounds.
Evaluation and Winners
Entries were carefully assessed based on originality, creativity, emotional depth, adherence to the theme, and overall poetic craftsmanship. Thirty entries were first selected as the Top 30, after which ten poets emerged as the Top 10. From this group, three outstanding poets were selected as the overall winners.
Top 3 Winners’ Spotlight
First Place
Name: Esther Okafor
Title: Beyond Repair
Second Place
Name: Ige Tinuoluwa
Title: From Dust to Divine Design
Third Place
Name: Ejiro Enang
Title: Redemption
Winners Award
A total cash prize of ₦90,000 was awarded and shared among the Top 3 winners.
Community Impact & Highlights
The month was not just about the contest, but also an opportunity for learning and growth. Poetry tips were shared to help poets strengthen their writing expertise.
One of the tips focused on the importance of choosing verbs that carry motion and emotion. Poets were shown how strong verbs can make a scene feel alive and allow readers to experience an action rather than simply understand it, all with the provision of practical examples.
Another tip was about the overuse of adverbs, particularly words ending in -ly. Poets were encouraged to rely on stronger verbs and clearer descriptions instead of excessive adverbs.
The last tip centered around poetry thriving on specificity. Rather than relying on generic nouns, poets were encouraged to use precise and descriptive alternatives that create clearer images in the reader's mind.
The month also featured a special moment of celebration as Yemipoet honoured Oreoluwa Odusina, the first-ever first-place winner produced by the Yemipoet Contest. Oreoluwa emerged as the winner of the inaugural contest held in 2024, themed "Anger Lies in the Bosom of a Fool." This recognition served as a reminder of the platform's journey, its impact on poets over the years, and the achievements that emerge from consistent dedication.
Appreciation
We appreciate Yemipoet, the pioneer of this vision, and the YACSO Foundation for their continued support in advancing poetry and literary creativity.
To every poet who submitted an entry and to every reader who continues to support the community, thank you for being part of this journey.
See you in JUNE.
Summary Blog Written and Edited by: Adetutu Oluwapelumi-Deuel