sara Etgen-Baker Poet Suzette Prime

Notes About The Poem

image from stablediffusionweb.com

Poem submitted to “Voir Dire of Love” poetry contest, Suzette Richards, sponsor, February 3, 2026. 

CASE NO 1-3-2026

Love sits in the witness box,
ragged sleeves pulled over its fragile knuckles, 
Yes, its voice a mere murmur in the courthouse.

Prosecutor: And what about the sallow allure
of verses written on discolored parchment?
Must we become venerable troubadours
to mourn love’s uncertainties?

Love: Definitely not! We tweet sonnets on Twitter~
text them to unresponsive ghosts who leave them on read.
The heart wails raw, untuned, bleeding through pixels.

What difference does parchment really make?

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Line Gauthier March 21, 2026 at 11:45 AM Lovley spin ~

Paige Hind February 5, 2026 at 10:42 AM I like the ending. I have never successfully done this form, lol. Good luck <3 :)

CayCay Godwin February 3, 2026 at 5:09 AM This is very clever and certainly engages the reader. That's all I can say because thus far, I fail to understand the contest. I'll read it later after coffee. Enjoyed sara Etgen-Baker February 3, 2026 at 8:30 AM thanks, CayCay...took me almost an entire day to examine the contest details and look at examples of the Suzette Prime form....found it very challenging...still don't know if I sincerely suceeded. I never place in her contests, but I give them a try anyway. Good luck with preparing your entry.