Caren Krutsinger Poet Free verse

We Don'T Need No Stinking Contests

Poetry contests.
What?  This makes no sense.
How do you compare a unicorn to a chair?

But then this happened.
I started running out of ideas; my writing ability crashed. My muse had deserted me.
I began clicking around the PoetrySoup site, desperate for inspiration.

The last click was on contests.
Because contests do not make sense.
Poetry is putting your soul on paper, not a contest.
What if I thought of a contest less as a competition and more as a brain challenge?

Poetry contests have forced my muse to think.
My muse was delighted, she came dancing and singing back with full force.
She was playing again, and she loved it.

Contests encourage her to try new ways, new types of poetry, and to use new words.
My muse and I have held our own contests too.
Poetry contests encourage and challenge other people’s muses.
If you have not sponsored one, we highly recommend it.
It is a way to give back to others.


Written:  July 18, 2018
Entered:  We don’t need no stinking poetry contests 
Sponsored by:  John Lawless

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Susan Gentry August 22, 2018 at 10:03 AM Congratulations on your win. Well done. Caren Krutsinger August 22, 2018 at 10:05 AM Thank you. I win some and lose a lot. I never take it personally as I know how subjective the choosing is.

Trish Fernandez August 20, 2018 at 4:42 PM Congrats on your win :) Caren Krutsinger August 20, 2018 at 9:18 PM Thank you. I am always glad to have a visit. Come by often.

Jan Allison August 20, 2018 at 10:25 AM Many congrats Caren and I for one love YOUR contest prompts:-) hugs Jan xx Caren Krutsinger August 20, 2018 at 9:19 PM Thank you Jan. I love them too. They come to me in winks and laughs.

Connie Marcum Wong August 20, 2018 at 3:05 AM The winners are a matter of personal choice Caren, I agree, but you are right about them inspiring us to create new poetry. Well written! Congratulations on your placement! : ) Caren Krutsinger October 15, 2018 at 7:31 AM Thank you Connie. I just found this comment today as I was reviewing old pieces of my poetry-jewelry.

Line Gauthier August 20, 2018 at 12:25 AM Congrats on your fine win, Caren. Caren Krutsinger August 20, 2018 at 12:29 AM Thank you Line. I am always shocked and amazed that I place, but it is such a nice thing. Even though I truly think to select one poem over another is crazy subjective, and totally one hundred percent a matter of mood of the moment.

Kim Rodrigues August 19, 2018 at 2:49 PM Second to last verse...she was playing again and she loved it! Congrats, Caren! Caren Krutsinger August 19, 2018 at 3:15 PM Thank you Kim.

Heidi Sands August 19, 2018 at 12:06 PM Congratulations for your win Caren :) Caren Krutsinger August 19, 2018 at 3:16 PM Thank you Heidi.

John Lawless August 19, 2018 at 12:05 PM Well Caren, it seems many a meandering muse has wandered across the CONTESTS button....and ....... here we are....Nicely done. The contest both annoy and encourage us. Caren Krutsinger August 19, 2018 at 8:04 PM I truly never get annoyed, I am always amazed when I place because I know I am in the very best of company. When I do not place I smile at the winners, as they are becoming good friends.

Eve Roper August 15, 2018 at 11:25 PM Nicely done, Caren, luck in the contest.. eve Caren Krutsinger August 16, 2018 at 12:07 AM Thank you Eve. I had fun expressing my feelings about this. It is a delicate subject.

Brandy Nicole July 18, 2018 at 10:30 PM :) Cute. I like how you addressed this issue, as not needing any contests at first- and then at the end. Yes, you do. May your muse always come out to play. ~ Brandy Caren Krutsinger July 18, 2018 at 11:42 PM Thank you Brandy. I had to write it this way because I was so totally against the concept, and then I started seeing how they could help me develop.

Kim Rodrigues July 18, 2018 at 7:23 AM I know what you mean! Caren Krutsinger July 18, 2018 at 11:42 PM Thank you Kim. I appreciate you stopping by.

Paris-Maree Boreham July 18, 2018 at 5:03 AM Interesting Caren Krutsinger, maybe one day I will sponser one , Thanks for the read ! Paris-Maree :) Caren Krutsinger July 18, 2018 at 5:16 AM Dear Paris, Thank you for the nice comment. I truly thought contests were ridiculous; but then I found a way they work for me.