| 1. | The competition is open to Bahamians and residents of at least six months prior to date of entry. Proof of residency must be submitted with entries if entrant is not a Bahamian citizen. |
| 2. | Entrants must be 17 years or older. |
| 3. | Not more than two poems per person will be permitted. |
| 4. | There is no limit to subject matter or theme. |
| 5. | The style of work should be poetry not prose. |
| 6. | All works must be unaided. |
| 7. | Poems should be no longer than 500 words. Works more than 500 words will be subject to disqualification. |
| 8. | The decision of the judges is final and may not be inquired into. |
| 9. | Poems may be written in either dialect or standard English. |
| 10. | Entrants shall retain ownership of the copyright of their works. The government, however, reserves the right to publish selected works. |
| 11. | Poems submitted should not have been previously published. |
| 12. | Poems will not be returned to entrants. |
| 13. | Judges will not be allowed to discuss scores, positions, make comments or give advice with regard to any entry. |
| 14. | The Government has the right to satisfy itself that the conditions relating to age are met. |
| 15. | The Government reserves the right to alter or ammend any rule in any way that it sees fit. |
| 16. | Entries may be faxed to (242) 356-2693. |
| 17. | Entries may be mailed to the attention of Mrs. Keva Cartwright-Knowles, Morro Castle, Cultural Affairs Division, Ministry of Public Service & Cultural Affairs. |
| 18. | Judges reserves the right to reject any unsuitable entry. |
| 19. | All entries must be received by the Cultural Affairs Division by June 14th, at the Cultural Affairs Division, Morro Castle, Deans Lane. |
| 20. | Entrants by submitting entries, agree to be bound by the rules and regulations of the competition. |