A Lighthearted Peek At The Apocalyptic World Of Poetry Contests

This contest style’s description is one I’ve never heard
I’m unfamiliar with that particular word 
An internet search comes up empty 
However, others seem to have poems aplenty 
My eyes are getting blurry a total collapse seems imminent 
Quickly penning an entry appears to be the only way out of my predicament 
My freshly emerged imposter’s syndrome is now on full display
As I throw words together to prayerfully send a piece on its way
Whoops, I don’t believe the lines above were exact rhymes
I wonder if I will get disqualified this time 
I see it is quintessential to utilize the word “quintessential”
Unfortunately, that stretches me to also use a word like “nonextensile”
Argh!  I just realized I’m not counting my meter
I promise I’m not purposefully being a cheater 
Oh well, competitions are all in good fun, 
   even if they drive you a bit crazy
You just have to be creative, put in the work, 
   and not . . . something, something lazy
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

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12
Elliott Avatar
April 29, 2024 at 8:29 AM
Belated Congratulations, Robert. Contests are OK, until I see an N/A, lol! I enter fewer these days. Your poem is a classic, love it. :))))
Sidwell Avatar
April 29, 2024 at 9:25 AM
Thank you Regina!!!
Meadows Avatar
April 21, 2024 at 11:09 PM
A good poem. Well done.
Sidwell Avatar
April 22, 2024 at 9:27 AM
Thank you!!
De Beaulieu Avatar
April 13, 2024 at 10:44 AM
Hello Robert Sidwell, I enjoyed this poem. /Darlene/
De Beaulieu Avatar
April 14, 2024 at 12:36 PM
Hellpo Robert Sidwell, Congratulations on you POTD enjkoy your day./ Darlene/
Sidwell Avatar
April 14, 2024 at 12:29 PM
Thank you Darlene!!!
Grimm Avatar
April 13, 2024 at 7:55 AM
Enjoyable read Take care David
Sidwell Avatar
April 14, 2024 at 12:29 PM
Thank you David!!
Sambourne Avatar
March 14, 2024 at 2:41 PM
Well penned, Robert. I find too many of the rules on Poetry Soup contests exasperating. Hence I tend to post elsewhere. Thank you for this posting. It's quintessentially existential. Be well. Brian
Sidwell Avatar
March 16, 2024 at 10:10 AM
Thank you Brian!
Rodrigues Avatar
March 7, 2024 at 7:27 PM
Love the competition and forms. Many challenges help us to grow as poets. Congratulations, Robert!
Sidwell Avatar
March 8, 2024 at 9:34 AM
Thank you Kim!
Caliri Avatar
March 7, 2024 at 3:25 PM
Congrats on 4th place out of 30 entries. I always have one entry that should be higher than I placed it and this is the one. Your last line was classic. Loved your approach shot on this premise. Excellent execution.
Sidwell Avatar
March 8, 2024 at 9:35 AM
Thank you! Fun competition, thanks for hosting!
Volumes Avatar
February 16, 2024 at 12:08 PM
Congrats on your POTD Robert, but that's not the reason I am commenting. I didn't know about the POTD, I just liked this poem extremely much. This is exactly the way I felt arriving at Soup and seeing my first Contest. I didn't know what a quatrain was, let alone trying to "swap" one. Love your poem. Really worth the honor of POTD. Best wishes Wen.
Sidwell Avatar
February 17, 2024 at 9:08 AM
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to leave such kind words!
Schiavina Avatar
February 14, 2024 at 9:48 AM
Congratulations Robert on your winning POTD poem echoing revolt against sadistic contests' rules restricting a poet's creative laziness. Courageously well done!
Sidwell Avatar
February 15, 2024 at 10:19 AM
Thank you Frances!
Sharma  Avatar
February 12, 2024 at 12:27 AM
Oh wow, hello dear Robert, this is the first poem I'm reading of yours and it's such a beautifully creative one! You've so rightly conveyed the dilemma of a poet, who oscillates between writing for poetry contests. There are so many lines here with which I could relate "I just realized I’m not counting my meter I promise I’m not purposefully being a cheater","even if they drive you a bit crazy"Woah, well done, this made me smile! Looking forward to read more from you, sending many best wishes :)
Sidwell Avatar
February 12, 2024 at 10:20 AM
Thank you so much for your kind words! I look forward to more fun and more growth here poetrysoup!
Nicole Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 3:51 PM
Softly smiling at you, Robert. Yes, there's so many rules to follow. While it's a great way to expand thoughts, I'm perfectly okay staying away from: contests curled with creativity. Welcome to Poetry Soup my dear friend, and congratulations on Poem of the Day. My best to you. :) Brandy
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 7:54 PM
Thank you for words and welcome :)
Andresen Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 11:54 AM
- I can really relate to this, Robert - Great written - As a Norwegian speaker, I feel confusion many times...even "google translator" can't give me an answer - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. :) -
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 12:00 PM
Oh wow, I can imagine! Thank you!!
Empress Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:59 AM
Dear Robert, nice to meet you and read you for the first time. This made me smile! Its brilliant and just on point. Maybe not here specifically but contests in some places like Instagram, the rules are ridiculous, and made me think of that. I love the ending the most, “ i promise im not cheating” hah. Left me in stitches! Me too! Pleasure reading this. Congratulations on receiving POTD. Well deserved
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 11:24 AM
Thank you, Empress! I greatly appreciate your comments.
Baker Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:11 AM
It may not be a winner, Robert, but POTD is still doing pretty good! Congratulations! Enjoy your special day of recognition. A poet in Texas, Bill
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:41 AM
Thanks, Bill!
Slaughter Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:04 AM
I think you have the "quintessential" idea of "apocalyptic" down pretty well, Robert. A very fun read and a good selection for POTD.
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:42 AM
Thank you!!
Richards Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:01 AM
Congratulations on you POD, Robert. The sharp wit is quite funny:)
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:42 AM
I really appreciate you! Thank you!
Elliott Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 9:36 AM
Hi Robert, Congratulations and bravissimo on your wondrous POTD on poetry contests. Have a restful and creative Sunday. ~
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:45 AM
That means a lot. Thank you!
Rone Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 9:35 AM
Robert: LOL!! I've never been disqualified from a contest that I feel was deserved. I ALWAYS have an argument to offer. But, 'in the Land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king'. ( Hey sponsors, I jest of course. We all know that contests allow all of us to grow and often surprise ourselves. Thank you!) Best -Ken
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:48 AM
Heh! Fun stuff! Thanks for the support and your comment!!
Dietrich Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 9:22 AM
Bravo. This is excellent. A fave. wow. I just looked down and saw that I got it right. It's a POTD. Congrats
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:50 AM
Amazing, I truly feel honored. Thank you!
Mcintosh Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 9:14 AM
Love it. Congrats on POTD. God bless you. love, Gina
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:51 AM
Thanks, Gina!! Warmth and positivity to you
Fowler Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 8:46 AM
This really makes me smile Robert. Just great for a Sunday morning stretch. Congratulations on the honor of POTD! :)
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:52 AM
I really appreciate it. Thank you, Linda!
Lawless Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 8:18 AM
you stir a quaintly quintessential quandary of questionable quality into a flurry of furious fascination regarding the tempo and texture that adorns the blank pages phlegmatic purpose.....OSLT
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:54 AM
lol- nice! Thanks!
Ashley Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 7:48 AM
Apocalyptic indeed! Haha! Dear Robert, I adore your clever, fun and fantastic “peek” at poetry contests. The struggle is real! Your “imposter’s syndrome” line had me in giggles.. as did your whole light-hearted poem. A “quintessential” piece of insightful humorous poetry! Congratulations for your wonderful poem’s POTD honors. A worthy choice and well-deserved! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:56 AM
Such generous comments. A very heartfelt thanks!
Allison Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 7:39 AM
I am so thrilled you got POTD with this gem Robert, it sure made me smile:-) hugs jan xx
Sands Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 7:34 AM
Congratulations for POTD. I am sure many can relate :)
Sidwell Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 10:56 AM
Thank you, Heidi!
12
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