Explore Our Vast Library Collection – From Birth Poems to Themes of Love, Death, and Hope

If you enjoy the written word and would like to enjoy birth poems, poetry about death, or verses centred on love and hope, our poetry library is for you. Thoughts and emotions often go unspoken, and The AVBOB Poetry Project gives a platform to every poet in South Africa, whether they are new to the art form or a seasoned professional with ample experience. We invite wordsmiths nationwide to showcase their talent and share their innermost reflections under the golden thread, “I Wish I’d Said”. Since the competition began in 2017, The AVBOB Poetry Project has invested millions of rands into creating a space where proudly South African poets can shine – and you can enjoy the works of all successful entries right now.

Birth Poems for Every Milestone

Birth poems hold a special place in the hearts of parents. They explore new beginnings, the cycle of life, and the excitement of welcoming a bundle of joy into a family’s loving embrace. Being born is the first milestone we achieve, and those who go on to bring life into the world get to carry on this familial legacy. If you are celebrating a new baby in the family, a pregnancy, or even the experience of childbirth, our birth poems within our library collection may resonate with you.

Funeral Poetry and Poems That Reflect on Death

Death is one of the most challenging things humans can face, especially when the loss hits close to home. Poems about death can help us work through some complex emotions accompanying grief, giving us solace in times of sorrow. Funeral poems are also a personal and meaningful way to bid farewell to a loved one and can unify families and friends in their time of mourning. Our poem library offers a look at thousands of poems under this theme, so you can spend time exploring works from other artists and their experiences regarding the topic.

Enchanting Verses About Love

Love has been a central theme across various art forms for thousands of years, and our poem library reflects that it is still an important concept for many. If you want to explore the length and breadth of the cherished emotions humans keep close to their heart, or wish to find inspiration for a poem of your own, we have platformed thousands of thoughtful pieces to discover.

Inspiring Poems that Uplift Through Hope

One beautiful aspect of poetry is its ability to connect us with others who have shared similar experiences. It can be incredibly empowering to know that others have walked a similar path, and poems are a powerful medium to share these universal experiences. If you are looking for poems that remind you of the positive possibilities that lie ahead and the resilience you hold within you, we have entries under this theme waiting to be read.

Find Poetry in Your Home Language

A standout feature of The AVBOB Poetry Project is that it celebrates linguistic diversity in South Africa, and we allow for poems to be submitted in any of the 11 official written languages. This means that no matter your mother tongue, you can express yourself authentically in a way that is true to your identity. It is important to us that the unique cultural heritage across our nation is reflected within our competition, and you can explore poems within these language categories.

Browse Poems by Year and Winners

Over the last few years, thousands of entrants have enjoyed our platform and submitted remarkable pieces, bravely sharing their voices with the world. Our poem library offers a window into South Africa’s superb talent, and we invite you to share in this appreciation of diverse voices by looking at past winning entries and our anthologies to inspire you. This is your chance to participate in a collection highlighting some of the best our nation offers.

Stay Connected with The AVBOB Poetry Project Journey

Our competition is currently closed but will reopen after our 2023 winners are announced mid-2024. If you would like to follow along to keep up with important dates, workshops, and updates on our vibrant, flourishing South African poetry community, stay tuned across our social media channels. Here, you can learn about and engage with other poets and experience the power of poetry in changing lives.

From birth poems to death poems and everything in between, you are invited to find your poetic voice and writing spark today.