Mark Toney Poet Prose Poetry

Notes About The Poem

6/17/2026

In the last eight years, I have entered 66 contests and sponsored 91. Not the most active, but not dormant either. ;-)

 

The opening quote, which is from a PoetrySoup poet that I respect and admire, helps me when my perspective on contests—either sponsoring or entering—needs adjustment. And it works for me!

 

A PoetrySoup Tradition

“Winning a contest is like fishing. You know the fish are always hungry, but catching one depends on the mood they're in, the type of bait you use and how you lay it out there for 'em.” — PoetrySoup Poet


When I enter contests I have fun—
fun composing my poems per sponsors’ rules
fun reading other poets’ submissions 
fun commenting on their poems and they on mine—
an exciting PoetrySoup tradition

On the other hand…

Waiting for the contest to be finalized—
for the maximum number of poems to be submitted…
for the 30-day deadline to be reached…
AND the contest finally judged—
can be mentally and emotionally excruciating!

Out of sixty-six contests I’ve entered
placing forty-one poems was bliss, but
twenty-five receiving N/As was devastating—
a roller coaster of emotions! 

Notice the emotional timeline I experienced
with each of my poems that placed
fun—fun—anticipation—excruciating agony—hope—bliss—fun—fun

Compared to the emotional timeline I experienced
with each poem that received an N/A
fun—fun—anticipation—excruciating agony—hope— devastation—meh

Not to mention the disappointment of
placing lower in a contest than I had hoped—
but that’s just a self-serving affair
so I’ll refuse to go there

Now I have a better appreciation for
those who are resolute participants
regardless of the outcome,
including those who stayed the course in
each of my twenty-seven poetry marathon contests

A big thanks to all poetry contest sponsors
who provide the exciting, joyful, and imaginative contests
that are the mainstay of Poetry Soup!
And kudos to those who enter the contests
surviving the roller coaster of emotions
to write another day!

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Joanna Daniel June 23, 2026 at 12:48 AM Very creatively expressed, Mark:) Mark Toney June 23, 2026 at 3:35 AM Much appreciated, Joanna. :-)

Christine Watts June 20, 2026 at 3:23 PM Hi Mark Well said and you summed up nicely the thrill and disappointments of contest entries. win, lose or draw it is always a fun challenge to have a go and stretch ones brain and see what one can come up with Having a N/A against ones poem is always a mystery as to why I assume it means Not Accepted, but to know why would be good feedback Especially with the advent of AI checking Hmmm I would be really angry if I found out a poem of mine was supposedly AI written as I hate AI and would never cheat or use this I am 73 and have written poetry since age12 so I don't need AI to make any assumptions about my thoughts ir poetic construction Anyway Mark I enjoyed your words and will keep fishing Cheers Christine Mark Toney June 20, 2026 at 8:41 PM Thank you for such a thoughtful comment, Christine. Cheers!

Alison A Smith nee Howarth June 17, 2026 at 3:04 PM You have put down in words what i think any entrant in contests feels. It is surely like fishing one day you will catch the big one but you won't if you give up. If you fail one day there is always the fish and chip shop and try again tomorrow. Mark Toney June 17, 2026 at 4:14 PM LOL, “…there is always the fish and chip shop.” Love it!

Natasha L Scragg June 17, 2026 at 12:34 PM Brilliant poem Mark. A roller coaster ride well explained. I love seeing the different interpretations of the set challenges. The variety broadens my scope :-) Mark Toney June 17, 2026 at 12:39 PM Thanks for the inspiration, Natasha!