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Mick Talbot Sponsor

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Sponsors must get a real headache when participants do not bother to read or follow the rules of a contest.

Or fail to go back before the contest deadline to check for updates.

Mick Talbot put out a message to participants to READ THE RULES and I thought I'd write a poem in his honour.

Inspired by Mick Talbot’s message to all participants in his haiku contest. Mick’s maybe a stickler for the contest rule He’s only helping so you don’t look a fool If you don’t have any rules it all falls apart Don’t try and ignore them, don’t be smart. If he says haiku, that’s what he wants Not HAIKU, your title or fancy fonts Updates on his contest page you’ll see Read his rules and make him happy. If he wants a poem about black cats Don’t be clever and do one about bats You’ll get disqualified and booted out No glory for you you’re heading south. Put the date you wrote it, don’t put your name Or he will ignore it and that would be a shame Mick’s a generous sponsor, he’s more than fair You are given a chance to put things square. Remember he’s doing it for our benefit Gets no financial reward for doing it So if you want a gold medal in his contest Please read the rules and give it your best.

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Susan Gentry

Date: 5/27/2018 1:28:00 AM

You are a good man for reiterating what must be so frustrating for sponsors. Well written too. :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2018 5:31:00 AM

Thanks Susan, we indeed do need to follow the rules but so must the sponsors ensuring that any poems selected for placement are 100% winners who followed the rules of the contest. Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/13/2018 9:37:00 PM

Not only does Mick get no reimbursement for all of his contests, as you point out,...how much is he going to have to shell out for this terrific promotional piece you've just penned for him?! --JUST KIDDING, of course... Tom, you're a good man, a believer in rightness and fairness, and it's my privilege to have made your acquaintance. (That's the sincere part of this comment). Best wishes, Gershon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/13/2018 10:41:00 PM

I've agreed that he can pay in instalments lol Thank you Gershon for your kind words. Tom.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/13/2018 3:34:00 PM

Entertaining, Tom!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/13/2018 4:24:00 PM

Thank you Andrea, Mick and all judges give up their time to host contests so I thought a tribute would be a nice thing to do. Tom

FJ Thomas

Date: 5/13/2018 3:14:00 PM

This is no new issue here; unfortunately it gets no less frustrating when judging. At times we all make mistakes and we miss a rule. Our own fault. But my goodness sometimes it seems like most of the people who entered the contest didn't bother reading any of them lol. I'm glad you've written this though Tom. I can't tell you how many times I've been taken to blogtown and verbally flogged for making it known that people were not following the rules and that I do not make acceptions for anyone nor hunt you down to tell you there is an error. And I never even gave names lol. Incidentally one of my main antagonists didn't allow commenting on the blogs -.-

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/13/2018 4:40:00 PM

I do feel for the for the Judges FJ, It must be a mammoth task and so many get disqualified for not following a few simple rules, as you say their own fault. I suppose there are a few who think that the rules do not apply to them ( what planet are they on ) If I've entered a contest I check back before the judging date in case anything has changed and sometimes it does. Takes me a few minutes if that. I don't have any sympathy for anyone for not following the rules as I said in the poem if you don't have rules it breaks down. Tom.

Paul Callus

Date: 5/13/2018 2:44:00 PM

A lovely and entertaining tribute, Tom. Judging is no easy matter. Had I been one it would take me several days before I came up with a winners' list:) Of course, rules are there to be followed; if we don't like them then it's best to opt for a different form/contest. Regards // paul

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/13/2018 4:26:00 PM

I agree Paul, it cannot be an easy task and judges are doing us a favour by hosting contests not the other way round, so the least we can do is follow a few simple rules. Tom

Pandita Sietesantos

Date: 5/13/2018 9:33:00 AM

Hahahaha - love this witty write, Tom! Excellently said. All contest rules must be read and followed to the letter - that's the bottom line! Best regards. Pandita

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/13/2018 9:38:00 AM

Thanks Pandita, problem is we sometimes think the rules are for others and not aimed at ourselves lol Tom.

Winged Warrior

Date: 5/12/2018 8:16:00 AM

That's why I haven't run one yet...rather enter than run lol...great write my friend...and Mick needs more space for rules lol...love and light...^WW^

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/12/2018 3:31:00 PM

Thanks WW, haha he certainly does. Tom.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 5/11/2018 12:20:00 PM

This poem is so smart! Smartly written, smartly thought out. SMART!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/11/2018 12:43:00 PM

Thanks Caren, when I've entered a contest I check back in case anything's changed so built up a picture. Tom.

Jan Allison

Date: 5/11/2018 11:20:00 AM

Your poem made me smile - its a lovely tribute to Mick and to other people who host contests. It's not an easy task especially when rules are broken but with the haiku it is a strict form with no title, syllable count etc and we can learn if we don't follow the rules or make an error. Hugs jan xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/11/2018 12:16:00 PM

Thanks Jan, yes they do a great job giving up their time to host them, I bet many great poems have fallen by the wayside for the sake of not adhering to the rules. Tom.

Mick Talbot

Date: 5/11/2018 8:55:00 AM

PS. Love the image too!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/11/2018 9:05:00 AM

Well deserved Mick, it can't be easy and must get very frustrating to say the least.I just had this image of you at the computer saying" seriously grr" all good fun. Tom.

Mick Talbot

Date: 5/11/2018 8:53:00 AM

Run out of space Tom, 500 characters, inclusive of spaces. I just want to thank you again for the wonderful poem and your moral support. Thank you. Mick

Mick Talbot

Date: 5/11/2018 8:48:00 AM

Wow! Thanks, Tom, it is frustrating, some good pieces get dropped. The irony is that they are taking up places. There was one contestant who did just that, but if any who wants/wishes to, (after they've were informed of their error/s), they have the option either via Poetry Soups which can be found on all poems entered or by use of my updates. Not finalised the present contest so there is still a chance the 13 N/As' can rectify their errors. The point, if deleted they will have to be resubmitted

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 5/11/2018 7:54:00 AM

Amen. Awesome one Tom! :) thoroughly enjoyed. xomo!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/11/2018 8:29:00 AM

Thanks Maureen, it must be a real headache for a sponsor, I noticed Mick has great patience so hats off to.him. Tom.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 5/11/2018 7:13:00 AM

Sponsors really demonstrate a lot of good will/ When organize a contest which for them is not a thrill/ For that we have their rules to respect/ If we dream our poems they to select! I am with you my friend, Tom!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/11/2018 7:20:00 AM

They do indeed Demetrios, the least we can do to help things to run smoothly is to read the rules. Thank you. Tom.

Maria Williams

Date: 5/11/2018 6:57:00 AM

Yes Sir, got the message loud and clear. You sure it wasn't about bats? Could have sworn....Just kidding, I know completely what you mean, I ran a contest last year, the first and last time, in fact I asked the help of two judges Carol Duet and Silent One, would have been lost without it. Its quite a daunting thing running a contest. A great poem you have penned Tom, should get POTD so everyone reads and understands the rules of the contest....Maria hugs and a Fave from me.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/11/2018 7:04:00 AM

Thanks Maria, I just had this image of poor old Mick at his computer huffin and puffin because many hadn't followed the rules, would like to do one when I've a bit more time. Then if it is a big headache is it worth it.Maybe start with one word one syllable poems lol. Tom