contests
12/17/2008 09:01 p.m.
ok, i'll say it. i'm angry. disappointed, really. not that the winners of the poetry contest don't deserve it - i say congrats. but my poem was good.

there's this strange catch 22 about contests and judges and writing poetry, in general. who is really to say that one poem is better than the other? obviously, these contests are based solely on the judges who decide the results. but it's the same with publishing - someone else is reading my work and deciding whether or not it's 'good.' and based on what? what you think sounds best? what you think is sentimental and 'yippee holiday lovey dovey'? maybe that's not what the holidays mean to me. or to others.

deep down, i want recognition because i know that i'm a good writer. but at what price? continual rejection because i don't fit someone's 'standards?' i think that's bullshit.

so, as i said before, congrats holiday poetry contest winners. and no, of course not everyone can win. but i find myself continuously disagreeing with the judges of these contests. there is no 'mold' for good poetry. expand your minds, people.
I am currently Angry