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For years when my wife was sponsoring forensic groups
Tasked me with "judging" high school oral presentations,
[The most difficult thing I was called upon to do]
Each youngster gave it their best and all were very good
Rules said I was to hand out the high scores to the best
Writing critiques why they did not place--to all the rest.

At PS, I consider some poems from poets
Who present some exceptional, fine verses for me
In contests where I have laid out expectations, and
Waited for what would appear in my contest section,
I do not consider it my place to "judge" these works
To decide winners--the order I like from all the rest.

I lean toward pieces written to formats chosen
I am partial to the rhyming and flow of the lines
I put aside poems which do not follow the rules,
Poor spelling, poor grammar, inanity disappoints
The cream of the crop are left and, I am proud to say,
The cream always rises to the top--from all the rest.

Not personally knowing poets showing their wares
I know something about them by reading their verses
I am stricter on those who have great gifts of writing
More disdainful of those who fill their verses with fluff
If your poem shows not on my "chosen poem list"
Consider your presentation--then, from all the rest!

I like reading simple words easy to understood
I am not impressed needing dictionary at hand
I like brevity, not words scattered over the page
Good poems stand alone without fine embellishments
They must not ramble, cover more than a single theme
It is most successful if it rises higher than--all the rest.

I "judge" poems like editors are apt to "judge" mine
Harsh, if necessary, but honest, don't kill my muse
I know when I have sent out poems below standard
So, it is our mission to always present our best
Submitting pieces of writing--best will always do
If your poem tops my list—was better than the rest!

The Bible clearly states "we should not judge, lest..." I know
Truth is, we are judged ev'ry day, whatever we sow
If your poem doesn't list—it has somewhere else to go.


Written April 23, 2021
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