Express Yourself Poetry

Text "Express Yourself! Youth Poetry Competition" in blue and red. Red pencil forms the letter "t." Playful and creative mood.

Past Poetry Winners (2026)

Award	Student	Submission	Grade	School
Joe M. Dealey and Doris Russell Dealey Award of Achievement	Carlos Guzman	El sueño inmigrante	5	Daniel Webster Elem
Rising Star	Scarlett Hardin	Out of Order	6	Eduardo Mata Montessori
Category 2-5	Akshara Garudas	Flower	3	George Bannerman Dealey Montessori
Category 6-8	Nadia Nicole Meyrat	My Place	7	William B. Travis Vanguard Academy
Category 9-12	Belen Salinas	"Dear Teacher"	9	Woodrow Wilson High

Express Yourself! Youth Poetry Competition Book Cover — Youth Poetry Competition Anthology - Click the image to read this year's submissions

September 14, 2026 to January 31, 2027

Enter the Poetry Contest

Enter the Cover Art Contest

Complete Rules for Entry

Poet Requirements:

a. The Express Yourself! Poetry Competition is open to all artists in grade 2-12, who live in the City of Dallas or attend a school within Dallas city limits.

The Poem Must Be Original:
a. You must be the creator of the poem that is submitted to the contest. Your poem must be your own original concept and not a copy of anyone else's copyrighted material. If your poem infringes upon another's copyright, it will be disqualified.
Poem Requirements:
1. Poems must not exceed 20 lines
2. Poems may be submitted in English or Spanish
3. Digital submissions preferred. Please submit all digital entries through the links above.
Multiple Submissions:
1. Only one submission per artist.
Submission Deadline:
1. Submissions accepted starting September 14, 2026. Poems must be received or postmarked by January 31, 2027.
Entry Drop-Off Process:
1. Complete and attach the entry form.
2. Poems may be submitted in person at any Dallas Public Library Location.
Submit by mail to:

Express Yourself!

Youth Discovery Center,

J. Erik Jonsson Central Library,

1515 Young St., Dallas, TX 75201-5499

Submit online at: www.dallaslibrary.org/poetry
1. All finalists will be notified by email by April 1, 2027.
Judging Criteria:
1. Creativity
2. Originality
3. Quality
All qualified poems will be judged separately in the following grade categories: 2-5, 6-8, 9-12.
Finalists:
1. One overall winner will receive the Joe M. and Doris Russell Dealey Award of Achievement in Poetry, appear in the 31^st edition of the Express Yourself! Anthology and win a scholarship of $500.
2. One winner per grade category will have their poem appear in the 31^st edition of Express Yourself! Anthology and receive a scholarship of $100.
3. All finalists will be invited to an award ceremony in April 2027.
All entries become the property of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and the Dallas Public Library. Dallas Public Library is granted permission to use the drawings at its discretion. For more information contact: LIBYouthServices@dallas.gov

Looking for a paper entry form?

Submit your artwork at your local branch using this form.

Interested in having a free poetry workshop with your class?

Submit your workshop request here.