Because we all want to write more poems.
In Sight - revision for submission
The western sky tonight, what color was that?
Purple? Orange?
It was both and neither.
Bellingham bathed in indescribable light,
Purange?
Orple?
There is not a word for it.
This beauty, this wavelength,
That cannot be reproduced in photographs.
My friend Corey tried to capture it,
In photo after photo.
"Here's a picture of a sunset,"
He would say, "over Bellingham Bay."
"And here's a picture of another sunset,
I think I took this one the next day."
Dozens upon dozens, all alike, all lifeless,
Until I mocked him silent.
"This one is a photo
Of a photo of a photo
Of a sunset,"
I said, cutely.
This evening I regret my snide remark.
Tonight, as the colors darken, I wish for his success.
Keep trying, Corey.
Never stop.
- Neil McKay's Shared Poems
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Comments
Neil McKay
March 11, 2012
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I'm thinking of sending this
I'm thinking of sending this in to the Boynton contest. I take some issue with poetry as competition and always take it personally when I lose. But still.
So my question is: does the mocking remark make sense or is it only snide (and funny) to me? Is the insult too informed by my own inside humor? If so, I need to replace it.
Clayton Medeiros
March 11, 2012
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Be careful of the Boynton
Be careful of the Boynton line count. I believe they count all spaces in addition to the lines. I would take out:
I said, cutely.
This evening I regret my snide remark.
These points are made in poem already
Neil McKay
March 11, 2012
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Point taken but being the
Point taken but being the obsessive that I am, I already counted the spaces. They also count the title and the line after that in the 27 lines allowed. I'm more concerned that they don't distinguish between adult and youth poems. The first year I submitted and several cute little kid poems took awards. The criteria was not the same but they competed side by side.
Jennifer Dixey
March 12, 2012
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If submitting to Boynton ...
Be aware that (as I understand it) they might consider posting something publicly to this site as "publishing" - which would violate the rules of the competition.
Neil McKay
March 12, 2012
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Hmm, I personally don't
Hmm, I personally don't consider this site a "publication" as much as a writer's group. I suppose the argument could be made though. Maybe I should query them.