Love in 50 Words Challenge Winners

Love is infinite, yet in Love in 50 Words, we challenged poets to capture its essence with striking brevity. Whether through romance, friendship, or self-discovery, these micro-poems distill the beauty, heartache, and magic of Valentine’s Day into just 50 words. From timeless devotion to fleeting moments of connection, each piece resonated with depth and emotion.

After careful consideration, we’re proud to announce the winners—poets who transformed love into language with precision and artistry. Congratulations to all who took part in this celebration of love’s many forms!

🏆 $500 Grand Prize Winner: Achilles & Patroclus by Sara Little

Sara Little masterfully reimagines the love between Achilles and Patroclus, using striking contrasts—storm and shore—to evoke passion and tenderness. The poem’s plea for eternal togetherness is deeply moving, and its lyrical brevity enhances its impact. A seamless blend of history and emotion, this piece is a powerful and deserving Grand Prize winner.

🥈 $200 Second Place: Bloom For Me by Gina C.

Gina C. weaves a mesmerizing love poem rich with poetic innovation and striking imagery. The interplay of celestial and seasonal metaphors—‘crescent-moon,’ ‘Cupid-arrows,’ and ‘apricity’—creates a dreamlike atmosphere. The tender plea to “bloom for me” encapsulates devotion and longing. A beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant piece worthy of Second Place.

🎖️ Runners-up: $15 Each

unlike these photographs by Alexandria Stanwyck

Alexandria Stanwyck crafts a poignant reflection on enduring love, using a box of photographs as a powerful metaphor for memory and devotion. The imagery—blushing glances, flour-dusted embraces, and hair turning to snow—paints a heartfelt journey through time. With seamless flow and emotional depth, this evocative piece earns its place as a Runner-Up.

Love so divine. by Leigh Hooper

Leigh Hooper crafts a divine ode to love, seamlessly weaving Greek mythology into a poetic tribute. By invoking deities like Athena, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus, the poem elevates love to an eternal, celestial force. Its structured elegance and rich imagery make it a standout piece, earning its well-deserved place as a Runner-Up.

My Captured Heart by Simon Aylward

Simon Aylward delivers a heartfelt meditation on love’s transformative power, using striking imagery like “vapoured hearts” and “salted cure” to evoke deep emotion. The poem’s seamless rhythm and tender vulnerability make it resonate. While the theme is familiar, its poetic execution is beautifully compelling, securing its well-earned place as a Runner-Up.

Dear Roxanne by Justin Black

Justin Black crafts a deeply moving ode to love’s transformation, blending cityscape imagery with the intimate moment of new life. The poem’s lyrical flow and evocative phrasing—“a heart I thought broken barely breaking in”—make it unforgettable. A powerful reflection on love’s depth, earning its rightful place as a Runner-Up.

Experiences of You by The Invisible Writer

The Invisible Writer masterfully uses repetition and spacing to create a rhythmic, deeply felt journey through love and loss. The gradual unraveling of emotions—from warmth to heartbreak—resonates powerfully. Each word is carefully placed for maximum impact, making this an evocative and beautifully structured piece, earning its well-deserved spot as a Runner-Up.

That is love by G. A. Botero

G. A. Botero presents a poetic meditation on love’s boundless nature, likening it to a sigh of the soul and an untethered comet. The seamless flow and celestial imagery create a sense of wonder and universality. With its lyrical elegance and emotional depth, this piece earns its place as a Runner-Up.

mellow by J. R. Lowe

J. R. Lowe crafts an intimate portrait of love as a space of warmth and safety, where vulnerability is embraced. The playful language and private dialect between lovers create a unique, tender atmosphere. With seamless flow and rich imagery, this evocative piece captures the softness of love, earning its place as a Runner-Up.

Black Love Is by Nicole

Nicole delivers a powerful and rhythmic celebration of Black love, using repetition and vivid imagery to evoke pride, resilience, and deep emotional resonance. The poem’s lyrical flow and affirmations create a striking and heartfelt tribute. A bold and meaningful perspective on love, this piece rightfully earns its place as a Runner-Up.

Chance or Choice by Bethany Larson

Bethany Larson redefines love as an intentional act rather than mere fate, using celestial metaphors to illustrate devotion and determination. The imagery of carving constellations and mapping destinies is both poetic and profound. With its seamless flow and resonant message, this beautifully structured piece rightfully earns its place as a Runner-Up.

for the home stretch by Dane BH

Dane BH captures love in its rawest, most enduring form—through life’s unglamorous yet deeply intimate moments. The poem’s humor and tenderness shine through its imagery, from shared vulnerability to the muscle memory of affection. A poignant and beautifully crafted reflection on lasting love, securing its place as a Runner-Up.

where the broken healers are by Gabriel Huizenga

Gabriel Huizenga offers a profound meditation on love’s endurance, shifting focus from fleeting passion to the quiet strength of healing and forgiveness. With striking imagery—“grace-kissed scars” and a “deep, deep dance”—the poem beautifully captures the resilience of true romance. A thoughtful and evocative piece, earning a a Runner-Up spot.

The Peace of Being Together by S. A. Crawford

S. A. Crawford crafts a tender and tranquil ode to love, where peace is found in the embrace of another. The poem’s rhythmic flow and vivid imagery—measuring time by heartbeats and the rarity of peace—create a soothing and heartfelt experience. A beautifully structured and evocative piece, earning its place as a Runner-Up.

Lovers II: The Scientists by Addison Alder

Addison Alder brilliantly fuses love with science, drawing on Mandelbrot, Hawking, and Feynman to illustrate the profound, cosmic nature of connection. The metaphors—fractal hearts, gravitational pull, and quantum entanglement—give the poem both intellectual depth and emotional resonance. A uniquely structured and compelling piece, securing its well-earned place as a Runner-Up.

Love by warwara

warwara crafts a heartfelt tribute to love by weaving it through the lens of cherished holidays. The rhythmic structure and joyful imagery—vacations, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve—evoke warmth and gratitude. While slightly repetitive, its emotional depth and celebratory tone make it a beautifully resonant piece, securing its place as a Runner-Up.

Your Love is Silver Mist I want to Drink by Sophie Deanna Pearn

Sophie Deanna Pearn crafts a dreamy, intimate portrayal of love as an alchemical bond, where shared rituals—late-night tea, whispered stories, and passion flowers—become portals to new worlds. The rich imagery and poetic flow create a mesmerizing, almost mystical experience, making this beautifully evocative piece a deserving Runner-Up.

🏅 Honorable Mentions

As our challenges continue to grow, we are celebrating even more incredible writers with Honorable Mentions—a special spotlight for stories that stand out for their creativity, originality, or emotional impact. Writers who receive an Honorable Mention get a special badge that appears on their profile, showcasing their achievement and contributions to the Vocal community.

• The Vow by JBaz
• With or Without You by Andrew C McDonald
• Valentine by Alex Torres
• Love Is A Choice by E. C. Gabriel
• Self-Love by Chloe Rose Violet 🌹
• My Love for You Is- by Oneg In The Arctic
• Love Of Her Life by Kelli Sheckler-Amsden
• Momma, What is Love? by Eden Rowland
• 365 by Amos Glade
• Scarlet Red by Mariana Busarova

To explore more Challenges, please visit Vocal Challenges.