John Lawless Poet Free verse

Life's Contests

Life’s Contests


I didn’t get picked first -
so I waited.

There is an Institute
for Bad Art in Dedham.
They didn’t get picked first.

A coach in my youth (pre PC days)
would shout at us:
“Show me a good loser
and I’ll show you a failure.”**


I was neither -
over ebullient cheerleader in winning
nor tear shedding crybaby in losing.

I am a competitor.
Life is a contest.

I pour my passion in to all that I do.
I succeed – I fail
I win – I lose
I sometimes disagree with the calls.

I don’t always get picked first.
But on those occasions when it happens
I amend Wayne Gretzky’s quote* to read:
“You lose 100% of the contests you never enter”.


John G. Lawless
12/24/2014


* “You miss 100% of the shots you never take” -  Wayne Gretksy

** I think he stole this quote from then Packer’s coach Vince Lombardi

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Poet Destroyer A January 11, 2015 at 10:35 PM THANK YOU FOR THE REPLY... I too am behind on the soup... Love Linda

Poet Destroyer A January 11, 2015 at 10:19 PM John:) :) :) I smile at every entry in this contest, this contest is The Bomb... Congratulations, on your #1 placement. Always & Forever *LINDA*

Kayod5 Kayode January 11, 2015 at 4:10 PM You are right John,congrats on the win...huggs

Sandra Haight January 10, 2015 at 8:19 PM Great poem, John! Congrats on your 1st Place win. Sandra John Lawless January 11, 2015 at 4:51 PM Thanks Sandra, it seems there was a lot of blue ribbon left after the holidays.

Connie Marcum Wong January 10, 2015 at 8:06 PM John, this was a conquest and you came out the winner! Big congrats on your wonderful first place win Connie Marcum Wong January 11, 2015 at 4:56 PM Regardless, your poem is deserving. Smile :) John Lawless January 11, 2015 at 4:45 PM Connie, it would seem that it would have been impossible NOT to come out a first place winner in this contest.

Jan Allison January 10, 2015 at 1:45 PM Dropping back with my congrats John :-) Hugs Jan xxx

Robert Stoner Jr January 10, 2015 at 12:57 PM congratulations Jon on your win today, hope the percentages are with you this year

Edward Ebbs January 10, 2015 at 10:06 AM Congrats John :)

Casarah Nance January 10, 2015 at 9:47 AM Grats on your win!

Dr.Ram Mehta January 10, 2015 at 9:19 AM Thoughtful write, congrats on the win, John

Earl Schumacker January 10, 2015 at 7:27 AM Hi John, There is a lot of wisdom compacted in your poem. Great win. Good for you. Keep up the good work. Earl John Lawless January 11, 2015 at 4:49 PM Thanks Earl, as they say: "this ain't my first rodeo". Actually, If I ever enter a Rodeo it will be my first...

Jan Allison December 26, 2014 at 7:41 PM Excellent write John unique take on the theme I hope its for the contests contest. I love the final stanza especially the final line! lol hugs jan x John Lawless January 11, 2015 at 4:48 PM Thanks Jan, I'm a little behind responding to the comments. Always nice to hear from you.

Poet Destroyer A December 24, 2014 at 7:43 PM John, Stopping by to say Hello, and Wish you a very Merry, Merry Christmas!!! May it bring you joy, happiness and everything else you deserve. Merry Christmas and a Happy New year! Forever ~LINDA~ John Lawless January 11, 2015 at 4:45 PM Thanks Linda, I'm still catching up after the holidays

Andrea Dietrich December 24, 2014 at 12:30 PM very cool poem, John. I love it!! merry christmas to you. John Lawless January 11, 2015 at 4:46 PM Thanks Andrea, I'm still running wwaaaaaayyyyy behind since the holidays.