Sonnet Boom/Sonnet Youth: A Call to Write Miami’s Love Letter to Itself
Monday, January 12, 2026 – Saturday, February 14, 2026
Sonnet Boom & Sonnet Youth
Presented by Elevate Cities & Elevate Miami, in partnership with SWWIM
Free | Submit here
Along with our friends at Elevate Miami and SWWIM, O, Miami invites you to submit a love poem to Miami—but not just any love poem.
We’re looking for the love poem: a signature 14-line sonnet that takes Miami as its muse.
What do you adore about Miami? How did Magic City’s shores, streets, and sunshowers romance you? Was it love at first cafecito, or a slow burn, like catching the best sunset of your life while sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic? Put it in a poem!
Sonnet Boom/Sonnet Youth is a citywide poetry contest with two distinct categories for adult and youth writers. Winners from each category will receive a cash prize, publication, and performance opportunities across the city.
The winning sonnet will join Elevate Cities’ “Miami Anthem Series” as a cultural artifact of belonging and pride, alongside Elevate Miami’s Love Song to Miami, a partnership with UM’s Frost School of Music and Guitars Over Guns. Learn more here.
Guidelines to Enter
Entry is free!
Must be a 14-line sonnet
Must be an original poem
Must center love for Miami
Entries can be written or spoken word
All with a connection to Miami are welcome to apply; you do not need to be a current resident
Good-to-Know
Submissions close Saturday, February 14, 2026, at midnight
There are two categories: one for youth 17 and under (Sonnet Youth), one for adults 18 and over (Sonnet Boom)
1st prize: $2,000
2nd prize: $1,000
3rd prize: $500
Winners will be announced March 2026
Judges: Miami-Dade County Poet Laureate Caridad Moro-Gronlier, SWWIM Co-Founder Catherine Esposito Prescott, O, Miami Co-Executive Director Caroline Cabrera, Inaugural Miami-Dade Poet Laureate Richard Blanco, and author, poet, and translator Fabienne Josaphat
Presented by Elevate Cities and Elevate Miami, in partnership with O, Miami and SWWIM.