Rejection Song

Those publishers sent their reply
an email rejection slip
I took my time to read each line
while I bit my bottom lip.

They said the imagery was strong
with elements of cliché
the punctuation was all wrong
repeatedly.

They’re “sorry” they won’t print
my words of freedom
now all I seem to have
rejection songs
rejection songs

I tried to free my mind, over a thousand pages
but now they've made up their minds
after I'd used my energy
now I’m “unsuccessful this time”

But their bottom line is profit
with markets and trends where they look
my poetry’s not the right fit
in their current season of books

Won't they ever print
these words of freedom?
when all the words I see
rejection songs
rejection songs
rejection songs

I tried to free my mind, over a thousand pages,
but they had made up their minds
and I’d used up all my energy
on submissions time after time

Their world is driven by profit
why don’t you take a look?
seems poetry doesn’t quite fit
in their latest season of books

We still have words to sing
poetry is freedom
even when we receive
those rejection songs

Even when we receive,
those rejection songs
poetry is freedom
words of freedom
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Healey Avatar
September 1, 2024 at 11:30 AM
This is marvelous. No need to apologize to Bob Marley or anyone else, Martin. Once I (quickly) realized that it was a spoof of Redemption Song, I started singing the tune - out loud! - with your lyrics! Very well done!
Challender Avatar
September 2, 2024 at 11:53 PM
So glad you enjoyed it Jim. Thanks for the positive feedback :)
Greenhough Avatar
August 28, 2024 at 5:48 PM
A marvelous poem but I hope you are aware that it is a robot who sends that rejection letter. The joke is on us. Ignore it and keep writing. Oh. Bob Marley. I didn't see that.
Challender Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 12:24 AM
Thanks Hilda, it is a bit tongue in cheek. My poetry was rejected by a poetry group rather than a publishers. The moral of the story as you say is to keep writing.
Challender Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 12:55 AM
Inspired by and with apologies to, one of the greatest poets of all time, Bob Marley.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace