Home » Poems » Alison A Smith nee Howarth » The pressure of 25 words

Alison A Smith nee Howarth - Premium Member

Notes About The Poem

Written 20th June, 2026 placed in 25 words or fewer poetry contest sponsored by John Lawless

The pressure of 25 words

Facing a blank page
Feeling the stress
Of writing a response
To your latest verse
Have to keep it positive
What can I say?

anxietyencouragingfree verse

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Andrea Dietrich

June 24, 2026 at 5:17 PM

Back with congrats. At least we had a bit of fun with this contest

Alison A Smith nee Howarth

June 24, 2026 at 7:07 PM

Thank you Andrea. Sometimes these contests can be more pressure than fun. I enjoyed just having fun with it.

Curtis Johnson

June 23, 2026 at 5:17 PM

Like it. Hope you place. Cj.

Alison A Smith nee Howarth

June 23, 2026 at 6:02 PM

I feel I have placed when I receive a comment. So thanks Curtis.

Andrea Dietrich

June 22, 2026 at 9:35 PM

Nice poem in fewer than 25 words. Great choice of title also

Alison A Smith nee Howarth

June 22, 2026 at 11:11 PM

Thank you Andrea, just a bit of fun.

CayCay Godwin

June 22, 2026 at 3:58 PM

So, he wants focus to be on responding to poems NOT poems responding to a given poem prompt in a contest? His wording confuses me; my forehead may wrinkle. I like where you took it and how you said it. (Personally, if no positive response comes to me, I click bye-bye rather than ... not clicking away.

Alison A Smith nee Howarth

June 22, 2026 at 11:12 PM

Many a time, I respond in rhyme, It's easier sometimes.