CONTESTS AND ALPHABET TURDS

I have given contests my very best
only to bruise my ego with unrest
and sometimes hurt within my chest.
I confess to times of being obsessed
with stinking poetry contest-distress.
Feelings from result-upsets are not chronic,
no, they are more geared towards chaotic.

Whenever my imagination goes myopic,
I become a seeker of contest topics
to fast provide fed to my eager muse,
ergo, I have sustained the pain of abuse.
Sad chagrin remains aflame till my joy claims
and strains my reins to make me pen poems again. 
I win only the odd inning to earn minimal grinning.

Contests involve allegiances, politics, grievances,
perspectives, objectives and other human messes.
They are entered by a sphere of genuine peers
who, like me, have need to feel they belong here.
Whether my entries are revered and cheered,
or seemingly smeared and painfully speared,
I would spill no ink if contest stink disappeared.

For me, smelly contests heed the strong need
of my self-centered muse who controls my lead.
Perhaps these words are just stinky alphabet turds
that I merged for a contest my muse used to feed.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

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Richards Avatar
August 12, 2018 at 3:48 PM
This is so clever, Caycay, ....but also spills a lot of truth!! Although I have never sponsored, ....but a few years I was a Contest "Junkie".....and felt compelled to enter each and every one!! LOL !! I decided to take a break and "breathe"........ahhhhhh....!!! Isn 't amazing how easily one becomes hooked. As long as we can laugh at ourselves, I suppose.....we will be okay!! Your 'alphabet turds" cracked me up !!! Love it!!
Inman Avatar
August 12, 2018 at 9:56 AM
Cute, perhaps you should lay off the contests, for a while before you have a breakdown CayCay.
Krutsinger Avatar
August 11, 2018 at 3:18 PM
"I confess to times of being obsessed with stinking poetry contest-distress." I can relate to this, thinking it absurd to try and make art competitive. Then I realized that some people use them when they run out of ideas - namely me, me, me, me. It's like judging between unicorns and corn beef. It cannot be done. So now, no more distress, CayCay.
Godwin Avatar
August 11, 2018 at 3:53 PM
And also me, me and me! Oh, I suspect the human in me will continue to see-saw on the 'contest equipment', but know that with time, I developed a strong and stabilizing perspective that mostly works! Good to see you, Caren. All the best ... CayCay
Smith Avatar
August 11, 2018 at 9:25 AM
If this doesn't place high in the contest, I will call the turd police to report a robbery. I love it CayCay. You spoke to most of us with this one. I looked at this contest about 10 times and just couldn't get my head around it. You nailed it, congratulations ahead of time...
Godwin Avatar
August 11, 2018 at 12:41 PM
I felt a bit 'weird' using the turd word but realizing it doesn't bother most people, I kept it. Seems fitting, right? I sure enjoyed finding you here with such uplifting comments. Thanks, Charlie. Poetry hugs ... CayCay
Pigeon Tart Avatar
August 10, 2018 at 3:38 PM
I was loving it, then I got to "alphabet turds" SO FUNNY! Thoroughly enjoyed dear poetess, good luck in the contest! xomo :)
Godwin Avatar
August 10, 2018 at 8:01 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed, and am completely warmed by, your comments. Thanks, Maureen, for a comment-hug! All the best ... CayCay
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