Contribute a Line

Theme: Our Voices Rise

The new community poem is open for contributions. The theme is Our Voices Rise.

Anyone can get involved: simply write a line of poetry inspired by your thoughts or feelings about the theme.

Submit a line of poetry relating to the theme, whether it’s a positive vision for a peaceful world, an individual story or hope, solidarity or comfort, an expression of anger, or a call for change.

Your line can be anonymous if you prefer, or include your name to be acknowledged as a contributing poet.

All appropriate lines submitted before the end of Monday 21st July will be compiled into a poem.

Ready to write your line? Use the submission form below, or pop into the shop before the end of Monday 21st July to contribute to the poem.

Want to find out more? Keep reading below, or skip to the submission form…

More About the Theme

Poetry as protest. Poetry to join together and raise our voices against oppression and greed. 

Poetry to call out crimes against humanity and the environment. Poetry in solidarity and in love for people and planet.

Poetry as a rallying call to all who care but don’t yet know how to use their voice. To all who cry for children and families, people with hopes and dreams and stories, warmth and light and kindness, whose lives are treated with cruel and calculated indifference by the few who have no right to this power. To all who are angry and demand a world which is a safe home for all.

Poetry written by a community to show that the voices of the many are not represented by those who speak for us in much of the government and media. By a community who add our voices to the overwhelming call for those in power to do so much better.

Poetry to speak of truth against propaganda. Love against hate. Humanity against division. The beautiful planet we call home against its destruction. 

Individually our voices can feel small, but together they can be a powerful force for change. Our voices need to rise together until they are heard.

What future world do we want to see?

Your Potential Questions Answered

Do I need to match a certain style of poetry?

The combined poem will be free flowing, so don’t worry about trying to fit a certain style, pattern or line length. We’ll piece the poem together however works best based on the variety of lines sent to us. We may break longer contributions down into two or three shorter lines, if needed for flow. You could use an observation, idea, allegory, or word rhythms to convey meaning.

Can I submit more than one line?

Yes, you’re very welcome to submit more than one line. If we receive a lot of submissions from each person the poem could get a bit long! Up to a few lines per person will be completely fine, and a lovely way to help shape the final poem.

Can I change my line after submitting it? How about if I submitted anonymously?

Yes, it is possible to change your line even if you submitted it anonymously. You can do this by creating a new submission on the website and stating that it is to replace a previous submission under the same name. If you submitted anonymously, please provide your best approximation of the line you’d like to replace. If there is any doubt on which line should be replaced, we will include both to avoid the risk of removing someone else’s line.

Where will the poem be published?

We will publish the poem online at pickeringbooktree.co.uk on a sub-page of Community Creations. A link to the page will be shared via our email newsletter and on social media. We may in the near future also produce a recorded version to publish on YouTube. In this case, the video would be available to watch our website alongside the written poem. 

Will there be any prize or payment for the lines provided?

There will be no payment for lines, but we hope that coming together to create something and seeing your words included in the completed poem will bring a little joy. There will also be no prizes or ranking of lines.

How will the lines be ordered in the poem?

It depends on the submissions received. The lines will likely be grouped by sub-theme. We’ll try to look for flow and how the different lines link to one another as much as possible. 

Can I share the poem with others once it has been published?

Of course, that is a lovely idea! You can share the poem however you like, though preferably do this by directly sharing the poem page on our website, social media posts, or YouTube video.

How will you acknowledge participants?

Anyone who provides their name will be included in the list of contributors. This will be ordered alphabetically. Your line will not be linked directly to your name, though you’re welcome to tell people which part of the poem you wrote if you like. Those who contribute a line anonymously will be grouped together (e.g. ‘and X anonymous poets’). Pickering Book Tree will be listed as the compiler of the poem. 

Any other questions?

You can email us enquiries@pickeringbooktree.co.uk, message or comment on social media, or pop into the shop to ask us in person.

A Previous Community Creation

For an example of what we might create together, you can read or watch our previous community poem on the theme of Autumn, which was written by visitors and friends of the Book Tree soon after we first opened.

Contribute a Line of Poetry

be part of the community poem here

Use this form to send us your line of poetry. There’s also a submission box in the shop if you prefer the pen and paper method.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Your Poetry Contribution *

Name Email Poetry

Name

Optional: include your name if you would like to be listed as a contributor. If left blank, your line will be included in the poem and acknowledged as an anonymous poet.

Email

Optional: include your email address here if you’d like us to keep you updated about the poem’s progress. Only we will see your email address.

Send

We look forward to reading your lines of poetry, and combining them to create a powerful piece where our voices rise together.