one condom case with edgar allen poe graffiti wall background
be the poe of prophylactics

Calling all poetry lovers, wordplay wizards, and condom connoisseurs! ONE® Condoms is on the hunt for the most delightful and downright sexy short poems for a new wrapper collection, and we want YOU to help crown the Poe of Prophylactics!

We collected poem submissions from all over the U.S. and Canada, and after careful curation from our internal judging panel, public voting to determine the final winners will be open from 10/21 - 12/19/25!

one condom gold vanish hyperthin wrapper being held up

Of Course There's Prizes

All winners will receive a cash prize, a year’s supply (365) of condoms with their winning poem printed on the wrappers, and a donation of condoms to a non-profit organization or school of their choice.

Contest Rules

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Write

Your poems can be in any poetic format and about any kind of subject matter, but keep it short and sweet. Entries are limited to 300 characters or less.

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Submit

The deadline for entries is July 31, 2025! Our judges panel will review all entries, and public voting will help determine the winners.

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Win

Winners receive a cash prize, a year’s supply of condoms with their poem, and a condom donation to their organization, nonprofit or school of choice.

Meet Your Guest Judges

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Jake Tringali

Jake's poetry appears in odd places, from Burning Man to Boston City Hall to punk clubs. His first poetry book is Poetry for the Neon Apocalypse.

See Their Website
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Isabella J. Mansfield

Isabelle writes about anxiety, intimacy and body image both generally and as a woman with a disability. She is always looking for ways to bring a little humor into her deeply personal poems and is almost never sorry to make you cry.

See Their Website

Your Questions, Answered.

How do I enter the contest?

Entries are now closed! A public vote to determine the winners will be live from 10/21-12/19/25.

What is ONE® and why are you hosting this contest?

Since 2004, ONE® Condoms has featured interesting artwork on our signature round wrappers as a way to spark conversations. Our wrappers are designed by people just like you—individuals who care about connection, belonging, and the joy of creativity. From stunning illustrations to graffiti art and clever slogans, our past contests have showcased the immense talent of artists, advocates, and fans. Now, as we pivot to celebrate poetry, we’re thrilled to continue this legacy by showcasing your literary brilliance!

What is the deadline for submitting contest entries?

We will be accepting submissions for the contest from Monday, April 21, 2025 to Monday, July 31, 2025. Submissions are now closed, but public voting to help pick the winners will be open from Tuesday, October 21, 2025 through Friday, December 19, 2025!

Who is eligible to participate in the contest?

The contest is open to anyone living in the U.S. or Canada that is over the age of 18.

Is there a theme to follow for the poems?

Your poems can be in any poetic format and about any kind of subject matter. Please keep in mind that your poem will exist on a condom wrapper that people look at before sex. So words that inspire joy, positivity, and creativity are encouraged. Themes of love, intimacy, sexuality, connection, well-being, and excitement, as is wordplay around the “ONE®” brand. But using these ideas doesn't necessarily increase your chances of winning! 

Are there any restrictions on what I can submit?

Because the poems will be printed on our 2” round wrappers, entries are limited to 300 characters or less (not including poem title). We will also not accept submissions that are overly vulgar, graphic, hateful, or political. Poems must be submitted in English.

Can I submit any type of poetry?

Yes, as long as they stay within the character limit, poems can be written or structured in any style.

Can I submit more than one poem?

Yes, you can submit as many poems as you like! Each poem will have to be submitted as its own entry.

Is there an entry fee?

No, this contest is free to enter!

Am I able to submit a poem that I have used in other projects or contests?

As long as it is your original work, you may submit poems that have been previously published or sent to other competitions. We do not require exclusivity of our applicant’s work and ONE® does not own copyright of any submitted work. If you become a winner, we do have the right to publish or use the poetry you submitted in promotional materials.

How does ONE® share my information?

By entering the contest, you agree to let ONE® use your email address to correspond with you about the status of your entry. If you advance to the judging and public vote portion of the competition, your name may be used across our website and social media platforms to promote the competition. We will not share your information with third parties or any external organizations without explicit permission from you.

If I do not win, can I submit my poem in future contests?

Yes! We do not require exclusivity of our applicant’s work and ONE® does not own copyright of any submitted work.

How do I know that you have received my entry?

Once you submit the application, you will see a confirmation screen, and you will receive an email confirmation.

How will my entry be judged?

Once submitted, your entry will be reviewed by our staff to ensure that it meets all contest requirements. It will then be vetted by a judging panel made up of professional poets, writers, and ONE® staff for elements like style, creativity, and emotional impact. Judging will consist of two or three rounds to narrow all entries down to the final round. Entrants will be encouraged to share their poems across their own social media to get their friends and followers to support them!

How many winners will there be?

There will be ten (10) final winners including the first prize winner and our runner-up.

How will I be notified of my status in the competition?

Once you submit the entry form, you will see a confirmation screen, and you will receive an email confirmation. At the end of each judging round, we will contact all entrants to let them know if their submission has advanced or not. All final winners will be contacted via email, then announced on social media.

Does ONE® provide feedback to applicants who do not receive a prize?

You will be notified of your submission status whether or not you advance to the final rounds, but our panel will not be able to provide creative or constructive feedback on every submission.

When will winners be announced?

Winners will be announced in early 2026. Stay tuned or follow our social media for precise dates!

What types of prizes can I win?

All finalists will receive a cash prize, a year’s supply (365) of condoms with their winning poem printed on the wrappers, and a donation of condoms to a non-profit organization of their choice. Cash prizes will be issued via check or wire transfer within four weeks of the winners confirming their payment info, and condom-related prizes will be issued as soon as printing allows. 

First Place: $1,000 cash prize, a year’s supply of condoms, and a donation of 5,000 condoms to a non-profit organization of their choice

Runner Up: $500 cash prize, a year’s supply of condoms, and a donation of 2,000 condoms to a non-profit organization of their choice

Honorable Mentions: $300 cash prize, a year’s supply of condoms, and a donation of 1,000 condoms to a non-profit organization of their choice 

How do I vote?

You can vote for as many poems as you adore, as many times as you want - just submit a new entry each time. We'll be creating custom designs for the winning poems, but during the voting period we have them displayed as plain text so that the poem content is the focus. Share the link to the voting form with your friends, lovers, and that one pal who always has a way with words. VOTING IS OPEN TUE 10/21/25 THROUGH FRI 12/19/25!

What if I have more questions about the contest that aren’t addressed here?

You can email us at info@onecondoms.com with any questions you have, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.