Sandra Haight Poet Sonnet

Poetry Contests

To post a poem is not a marathon*
   when entered in a contest to be placed-
but rather there for others urged upon
   to read- become inspired with its grace.

Unlike a sports Olympics, contests are
   to challenge inner selves to meet a theme;
accomplishment alone gives us a star
   for creativity that makes us beam.

We all are winners, who can shape our words
   to paint the sadness or the joys of life,
with joyful metaphors like flowers, birds-
   or those that pierce the heart with a dull knife.

When entered in a contest- win or lose-
   our trophy is the journey with our muse.


September 17, 2016

For Contest, 'I Got A Darn NA Again'
   Sponsored by Lu Loo

*Except when entering a real poetry marathon, like the one
  sponsored by Mark Toney!! :)
---------------------------------------------------
~NA~
Contest: Second Chances For The Unloved Poem
Sponsor: Jesse Rowe
Judged: 09/11/2018

~NA~
Premiere Contest: 150
Sponsor: Brian Strand
Judged: 04/13/2018

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Connie Marcum Wong July 3, 2019 at 7:56 PM This captures the spirit of us poets perfectly Sandra. Congratulations on your deserving First Placement! xxoo : ) Sandra Haight July 19, 2019 at 3:34 PM Thank you very much, Connie, for your nice visit and lovely comment and congratulations. I appreciate them so much. Hugs, Sandra

Jan Allison July 1, 2019 at 5:06 PM woohoo a win at last Sandra I can't believe it has taken so long for the poem to get recognised, many congrats!:-) hugs Jan xx Sandra Haight July 19, 2019 at 3:32 PM Thank you very much, Jan, for your nice visit and lovely comment. I appreciate them so much. Hugs, Sandra

Andrea Dietrich September 20, 2016 at 7:43 PM wow, THAT is SO FITTING. WE all need this attitude. Soup is our showcase place and we all are rock stars!!!

Constance La France September 19, 2016 at 8:43 PM Sandra, exactly, it is the journey not the destination ~

The Grahamburglar September 18, 2016 at 6:21 PM I recently read "We exist to create." I am not sure to whom that quote is attributed, but I agree with your assessment of the contests, I think roughly half of my submission end up on the n/a list. But the fun is in thinking/creating the poem, regardless of the recognition. Thanks for this clever and well-written reminder. -G Sandra Haight September 19, 2016 at 4:01 PM Thank you, Grahamburglar, for your very supportive comment. The creative process and completion to meet the artistic goal the prize! Sandra

Agnes Krampe September 18, 2016 at 4:01 PM You are absolutely right, Sandra, and said it in a beautiful way. What I like about contests is that they get me to think and write about themes that would never have occurred to me, give me an incentive to spend time working on poetry, and thus help me become better (I hope). Of course winning is also nice - but the biggest joy is in the creation of a new poem. Agnes Sandra Haight September 19, 2016 at 3:57 PM Thank you, Agnes, for your supportive comment and confirmation that you feel the say way too! Yes, the themes do stir inspiration and winning is the icing, but the writing and the learning make the adventurous journey. Hugs, Sandra

Kim Merryman September 17, 2016 at 8:57 PM Well said, Sandra! I probably wouldn't have written half of my poems if not challenged by a contest. Winning is great, but we should take pride in our accomplishment whether we win or not. Blessings! Sandra Haight September 19, 2016 at 3:53 PM Yes, Kim...we are all on the same page here. The contests give me the push to write more, and the creative part is my joy too. Thanks for your supportive comment. Hugs, Sandra

John Hamilton September 17, 2016 at 8:18 PM Well said Sandra, too many rise and fall on the seeming success of a poem in a contest, we should all feel the satisfaction of writing, if others recognize it as something they enjoy, that to me is a bonus. Sandra Haight September 19, 2016 at 3:52 PM Hi, John, thank you for your supportive comment on my feelings which seem to be yours too. Sandra

Jan Allison September 17, 2016 at 3:57 PM Bravo Sandra:-) As long as we are creative we are all winners - I love the contests to inspire me to write and challenge myself - a win is the icing on the cake but its not the be all and end all:-) hugs Jan xx Sandra Haight September 19, 2016 at 3:49 PM Thank you, Jan...yes, the contests push me more to write than I would without them in creating a challenge. The rest is a plus as you say. Thanks for the support! Hugs, Sandra