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“Winning a Contest is Like Fishing” - Mark Toney's Blog

About Mark Toney

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Happily married for 50 years this year, having raised two sons, both married to girls named Carla. Go figure. :)

"Glass is Empty" is my avatar.
Click the pic and check it out. >>

Twenty Poems that Define Me

Abundant Blessings Continue – A spiritual ode written in ABC form in which every word begins with a successive letter of the alphabet starting with A. https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/abundant_blessings_continue_1023244

Yvonne’s Swan Song – Narrative poem dedicated to all victims of bullying, including girls and boys of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds, including me! https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/yvonnes_swan_song_1016718

Close Encounters of the Bully Kind – Couplet describing my actual encounter with a bully and subsequent conflicting counsel given to me by Mom and Dad. https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/close_encounters_of_the_bully_kind_1185718

My Amazing Week on the Farm – Pastoral poem that describes life lessons learned during an amazing week when I was 15-years old. https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/my_amazing_week_on_the_farm_1190059

Paralyzed – Dedicated to my father, who had 3 strokes leaving him totally paralyzed for 7 years before he died.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/paralyzed_1022565

Take Care of Yourself First - My family’s experience in providing loving caregiving to our elderly and infirm family members.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/take_care_of_yourself_first_1045939

Caregiver – My family’s experience with elder abuse that can develop when a caregiver becomes a selfish care-TAKER. Elder abuse—See it. Stop it. Prevent it. https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/caregiver_1020961

Vanessa’s Song – This poem was written for our dear friends after their 16-year old daughter, Vanessa, committed suicide in 1998. https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/vanessas_song_1018588

Please Sir – Beautiful downtown Atlanta is the scene for this true encounter for which I am still ashamed after 30-years.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/please_sir_1020704

Castles in the Sand – Narrative poem with a moral lesson that keeps me focused on making sure of the more important things in life.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/castles_in_the_sand_1025437

What of Our Children? – Lyric poem highlighting the challenges to our children’s future.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/what_of_our_children_1136461

Real Eyes See – A commentary on today’s society using wordplay and rhyme.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/real_eyes_see_1208575

Cycle of Seasons: Haiku Series – I love Japanese poetry forms. My series of 12 Haiku (3 per season) describing the beginning and end of each season as they transition.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/cycle_of_seasons_haiku_series_1028183

Nasty Panda – A flight of fancy to show my lighter side, and I am not talking about weight!
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/nasty_panda_1140229

Green Eggs, Spam and Grits – My Southern-style tribute to Theodor Seuss Geisel, a.k.a. Doctor Seuss.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/green_eggs_spam_and_grits_1122763

Love Immutable – The culmination of what I have learned as a husband after fifty years of marriage.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/love_immutable_1109739

Honorable Mention – A mother gives her son sage advice on living a modest life in humility.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/honorable_mention_1199431

My Memories – This poem expresses our concern over age-related memory loss, and my prayer that our memories stay fixed and true. https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/my_memories_1191701

Faraway Moon – My ode to the faithful, fascinating, faraway moon. https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/faraway_moon_1189504

Psalm of Praise – A fitting way to conclude the 20 poems that define me.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/psalm_of_praise_1217624

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“Winning a Contest is Like Fishing”

Blog Posted:10/6/2023 3:11:00 PM

Last Fall during my Poetry Marathon Contest, one of the marathoners asked me why she hadn’t seen me enter any poetry contests. I replied that I had entered a few (up to that point 34 contests in the last 4 years for an average of 8 contests a year) and so had nothing against contests. That pretty much summed it up in my mind—but she had planted a seed.

After that exchange, I kept thinking about her question. Why don’t I enter many contests? I finally decided to go ahead and enter more contests, so for the last year I’ve entered 19 contests—more than twice as many as the prior average of 8 contests per year. The result? I had fun. Fun composing the poems per the contests’ rules. Fun reading the other poets’ submissions. Fun commenting on their poems. Fun reading their comments along with the sponsor’s comments on mine.

On the other hand, waiting for the contest to be finalized—for the maximum number of poems to be submitted or the 30-day deadline reached, AND the contest finally judged—was excruciating! Out of the 19 contests, finding out 10 of my poems had placed was bliss; but finding out 9 of my poems had N/A’d was devastating. What a roller coaster of emotions!

With each of my 10 poems that placed, I experienced this timeline:

Fun-Fun-Anticipation-Excruciating Agony-Hope-Bliss-Fun-Fun

With each of my 9 N/A’d poems I experienced this timeline:

Fun-Fun-Anticipation-Excruciating Agony-Hope-Devastation-Meh

You may have noticed that I haven’t addressed the subset of placing lower in a contest than I thought I would; but that’s just self-serving so I refuse to go there.

So now I have a better appreciation of those who continuously enter contests and are resolute participants regardless of the outcome, which includes those who have stayed the course in each of my 27 contest poetry marathons, no matter what their final placement.

A Poetry Soup poet, whom I admire and respect, had this to say about contests, which helps me when my perspective needs adjustment:

“Winning a contest is like fishing. You know the fish are always hungry, but catching one depends on the mood they're in, the type of bait you use and how you lay it out there for 'em.”

That being said, a big thanks to all of you poetry contest sponsors who provide the exciting, joyful, energetic, passionate, blissful, and imaginative contests that are the mainstay of Poetry Soup! And kudos to those who enter the contests and survive the roller coaster of emotions to write another day!

Post Comments

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Paula
Goldsmith

Date: 10/23/2023 1:29:00 PM

Happy 50 Years... I loved reading what you had to say. "So True" it is a roller coaster ride of emotions. Many times, I am Not sure what they want. I guess then write and hope for the best. I find the contests give me ideas to write on/about. I enjoy reading the comments. It is great when there is a win/sad when there is none. Oh Well, Try again... Have a great day writing away..................

Mark Toney
Date: 10/23/2023 8:53:00 PM

Thank you, Paula, for your best wishes on our 50th anniversary, and your delightful observations on entering contests. It appears that you and I experience the same emotions when it comes to contests. Like Bill said in his comment below, “It seems like a normal range of emotions to go through.” You enjoy your day writing away!

Bill
Baker

Date: 10/19/2023 3:59:00 PM

An interesting article, Mark. I've yet to enter a contest but I'm tempted from time to time. I have trouble finding time to post poetry, read and comment on poetry, reply to comments on my poetry. Where do people find time to enter contest. I'm not against it at all, but just don't seem to have the time. Thanks for the informative blog post. I did enjoy reading about the process. It seems like a normal range of emotions to go through. Have a great October! Bill

Mark Toney
Date: 10/20/2023 1:48:00 PM

I appreciate your generous feedback, Bill. It is hard to find the time. Where has 2023 gone? Enjoy the rest of your October, too!

Barbara
Barry-Nishanian

Date: 10/12/2023 6:53:00 PM

Mark, I just checked 2023 entered 26 poems. placed 10 times,three 1st' What does N/A mean? Not their cup of tea, didn't approve our viewpoint? Very poems with N/A received the most wonderful comments... isn't that interesting? . Poets have educated me, become friends, given me wings to try new forms that scared.me. First pantoum won 1st place Contest give me opportunity to share Bible facts once I did not know, some have won 1st place. Write on Mark!

Mark Toney
Date: 10/12/2023 7:51:00 PM

Your delightful expressions highlight that we get so much more from contests than simply placing or not placing. Thank you for the great feedback. Write on, Barbara!

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 10/8/2023 9:27:00 PM

I am always on that roller coaster ride and I completely get this!!

Mark Toney
Date: 10/8/2023 10:19:00 PM

I’m glad this resonates with you, Andrea.

Constance
La France

Date: 10/7/2023 7:57:00 AM

Mark, it is like gambling, sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. I like the fishing idea, same thing, sometimes you catch the fish and sometimes not. But, at this point in time, I am confident in my poetry, I like my poetry, even if a sponsor does not. An NA does not define me as a poet, it is just someone's opinion which may be valid or may not be. I sort of know which sponsor will never place me and don't waste my talent there. But others sometimes do place me and sometimes don't, oh well. But the contests are still inspiring and fun to be part of, a great way to challenge my muse and refine my writing.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/8/2023 9:27:00 PM

Right, Constance, it does no good to worry if judges don't like what we write. We just feel happy when the contests inspire us!

Mark Toney
Date: 10/7/2023 11:36:00 AM

Constance, thanks for adding to the conversation. I am in agreement with your comments, and I like the way your last sentence emphasizes the bottom line.

Craig
Cornish

Date: 10/7/2023 7:05:00 AM

Catch and release - or flopping down the river bank and learn what not to bite for.

Mark Toney
Date: 10/7/2023 11:37:00 AM

Exactly, Craig! Some sponsors may catch and release my poem, but another sponsor may catch and place it ;) Either way, it's a learning process.

John
Lawless

Date: 10/7/2023 5:58:00 AM

and as with all who fish they have a tackle box full of "lures" and know that "presentation" and perseverance are essential

Mark Toney
Date: 10/7/2023 11:31:00 AM

Excellent expansion of the illustration, John, that nicely makes the point.

Charlotte
Puddifoot

Date: 10/7/2023 5:13:00 AM

if a contest teases out a poem which may not otherwise have been written or even thought of, so much the better..rejection is part and parcel of being a writer, you can't take it too personally, though i suppose i'm hardened to it to a certain degree because i enter a lot of 'professionally run' national and international comps

Mark Toney
Date: 10/7/2023 11:29:00 AM

Thanks, Charlotte, for your thoughtful comment. Many of the poems I've submitted wouldn't have been written if the contest hadn't `teased it out.' It's like Unseeking Seeker wrote in his comment, "Contests act as a prompt, cajoling us to invoke our creative instincts and also enliven the atmosphere."

Di11y
Da11y

Date: 10/7/2023 2:37:00 AM

What a wonderful blog! I think there are many different reasons for entering contests and mine started as a way to write about other things than what was bothering me and to see whether there was any merit in my poems. You quickly find out that judging is subjective and sometimes n/a's happen. It's definitely harder if you put your heart and soul into one and it ends up on the scrap heap. It is fun though and becomes a hobby in itself. Lovely to read another insight into it, the truth is that art and poetry are appreciated on such a personal level that 100 people could walk past but it'll touch maybe 1 deeply. When that happens it's wonderful and popularity contests aren't the measure

Mark Toney
Date: 10/7/2023 11:23:00 AM

I appreciate your heartfelt expressions, DD. I agree with you 100%.

Unseeking
Seeker

Date: 10/6/2023 10:00:00 PM

Well said, Mark. Contests act as a prompt, cajoling us to invoke our creative instincts and also enliven the atmosphere. Results do not matter, in my opinion, since judging is subjective. We write for ourselves.

Mark Toney
Date: 10/7/2023 11:14:00 AM

Much appreciated, Seeker. That's the long and short of it in the grand scheme of things.

Sara
Etgen-Baker

Date: 10/6/2023 4:23:00 PM

I find that entering contests is an act of faith...no one knows what to expect or the outcome. I've not entered many but find them intriguing.

Mark Toney
Date: 10/6/2023 6:40:00 PM

They’re especially intriguing to me when they involve poetry forms I’ve not tried before. Most recent examples for me are the triolet, vignette, and tableau.

Tom
Woody

Date: 10/6/2023 4:20:00 PM

I'm not into the contest thingy for multiple reasons, though premiere contests aren't bad. Nevertheless, I'm content with the philosophy: To each his (her) own. If it gets your mojo up and running go for it. Who knows? I may sponsor a preemie soon. I've done it in the past. Stay tuned...

Tom Woody
Date: 10/7/2023 1:32:00 PM

Ha! She doesn't scare me (trembling)

Mark Toney
Date: 10/7/2023 11:42:00 AM

I think Charlotte may have thrown down the gauntlet, Tom :)

Charlotte Puddifoot
Date: 10/7/2023 5:15:00 AM

oh go on, you know you want to..

Mark Toney
Date: 10/6/2023 5:36:00 PM

Look forward to it.

My Past Blog Posts


NASA’s Poetic Mission to Jupiter’s Europa Date Posted: 11/25/2023 9:36:00 AM
“Winning a Contest is Like Fishing” Date Posted: 10/6/2023 3:11:00 PM
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Poetry Contest Has Been Finalized Date Posted: 8/20/2023 4:03:00 PM
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Poetry Contest Date Posted: 7/23/2023 12:17:00 AM
2022 Poetry Marathon FINISH LINE !!! Date Posted: 3/4/2023 12:50:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifier's Final Placement Contest is Closed & Being Judged Date Posted: 3/1/2023 2:56:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers' Final Placement Poetry Contest Has Begun! Date Posted: 2/5/2023 4:31:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 26 is History! This is the Last Checkpoint Before the Final Contest! Date Posted: 2/4/2023 3:32:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 26 is Closed and Being Judged Date Posted: 1/30/2023 3:14:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 25 Contest Has Been Finalized! The Mile 26 Contest Started Today! Date Posted: 1/28/2023 2:18:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 25 is Closed and Being Judged Date Posted: 1/25/2023 7:45:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 24 Contest Has Been Finalized! The Mile 25 Contest Started Today! Date Posted: 1/22/2023 12:07:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 24 is Closed and Being Judged - TRIBUTE TO L. MILTON HANKINS Date Posted: 1/9/2023 7:38:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 23 Contest Has Been Finalized! Tribute to L. Milton Hankins Date Posted: 1/4/2023 3:50:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 23 is Closed and Being Judged Date Posted: 12/19/2022 12:25:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 22 Contest Has Been Finalized! The Mile 23 Contest Started Today! Date Posted: 12/14/2022 10:38:00 AM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 22 is Closed and Being Judged Date Posted: 12/11/2022 7:38:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 21 Contest Has Been Finalized! The Mile 22 Contest Started Today! Date Posted: 12/7/2022 9:59:00 AM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 21 is Closed and Being Judged Date Posted: 11/29/2022 8:22:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 20 Contest Has Been Finalized and Current Standings Posted. The Mile 21 Contest Started Today! Date Posted: 11/24/2022 8:06:00 AM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 20 is Closed and Being Judged Date Posted: 11/14/2022 7:54:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 19 Contest Has Been Finalized! The Mile 20 Contest Started Today! Date Posted: 11/11/2022 7:37:00 AM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 19 is Closed and Being Judged Date Posted: 11/6/2022 1:20:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 18 Contest Has Been Finalized! The Mile 19 Contest Started Today! Date Posted: 11/2/2022 12:34:00 PM
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 18 is Closed and Being Judged Date Posted: 10/30/2022 8:26:00 PM

My Recent Poems

Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
1/13/2024	I'll Be Back	Haibun	computer,conflict,future,
12/2/2023	My Name is Etched on Insight Lander	Lyric	fun,humanity,inspiration,
11/25/2023	One Lie	Monoku	betrayal,integrity,trust,
11/23/2023	Magnification	Free verse	education,nature,science,
11/11/2023	Komorebi - Thoughts of You	Sonnet	death,hope,life,light,los
11/8/2023	November Fall and Rise	Ninette	autumn,beauty,fun,novembe
10/26/2023	They Crashed the Server	Lyric	appreciation,community,co
10/21/2023	Footles Are Your Friend	Footle	fun,inspiration,write,
9/30/2023	The Rod and Reproof Gives Wisdom	Rhyme	abuse,children,hurt,paren
9/23/2023	First Bite	Limerick	family,fruit,goodbye,kid,
9/23/2023	My Fave Season	Monorhyme	autumn,happy,seasons,
9/2/2023	From Her I Get	Lyric	future,life,love,relation
8/25/2023	Modi On the Moon	Lyric	moon,space,world,
8/23/2023	India Is On the Moon	Tanka	moon,space,success,
8/20/2023	Beyond Greatness	Haibun	courage,england,football,
8/18/2023	End of Voyage Tableau	Verse	beach,boat,confusion,loss
8/15/2023	2023 Fifa Womens World Cup - Spain Vs Sweden	Haibun	football,soccer,success,w
8/13/2023	2023 Fifa Womens World Cup - Australia Vs France	Haibun	football,soccer,sports,wo
8/12/2023	An Old Shovel	Bio	change,life,lonely,memory
8/11/2023	School Bus Safety a Must	Rhyme	children,life,school,stud
8/6/2023	2023 Fifa Womens World Cup - Sweden Vs Usa	Free verse	football,soccer,sports,us
8/5/2023	No Anchor For Rancour	Lyric	anger,forgiveness,friends
8/3/2023	Cemetery Gate	Triolet	death,fate,funeral,grave,
8/2/2023	2023 Fifa Womens World Cup - Jamaica Vs Brazil	Haibun	football,soccer,sports,wo
8/2/2023	2023 Fifa Womens World Cup - England Vs China	Haibun	england,football,soccer,s
7/29/2023	Close Call	Prose Poetry	child,children,family,fea
7/28/2023	Volleyball In the Rafters	Free verse	friendship,identity,life,
7/26/2023	2023 Fifa Womens World Cup - Usa Vs Netherlands	Haibun	football,soccer,usa,women
7/18/2023	The Starry Night - Van Gogh	Monoku	appreciation,art,humanity
7/11/2023	Away In a Clothes Shop	Rhyme	anxiety,clothes,wedding,
7/4/2023	Yellowstone Bison	Alliteration	animal,fear,nature,
7/1/2023	Away In a Haberdashery	Verse	anxiety,clothes,wedding,
6/30/2023	Munch On This - 'Love and Pain' 1895	Ekphrasis	art,love,pain,perspective
6/9/2023	Misty Morning Fog	Haiku	heartbreak,lost love,rela
5/20/2023	Sand Bar	Free verse	beach,environment,nature,
5/13/2023	Free-Range Limericks Redux	Limerick	humorous,poetry,word play
5/13/2023	Seeds of Encouragement	Tanka	anxiety,appreciation,chil
5/10/2023	Taking Action	Monoku	giving,happiness,humanity
5/8/2023	Humility's Boon	Senryu	blessing,feelings,relatio
5/7/2023	Bereavement	Tanka	bereavement,blessing,deat
5/7/2023	Sweet Friendship	Senryu	encouraging,friendship,lo
4/22/2023	Hither, Thither, and Yon	Prose	children,conflict,family,
4/21/2023	No Time For Caution	Lyric	anxiety,courage,death,lif
4/20/2023	My Regret	Prose Poetry	emotions,lost love,memory
4/4/2023	Relax	Senryu	anxiety,retirement,vacati
4/4/2023	Ashley, Lane, Massey	Clerihew	celebration,cool,poetry,p
3/26/2023	A Plague of Grackles	Free verse	bird,humorous,
3/25/2023	Harbingers of Spring	Haiku	bird,seasons,spring,
3/25/2023	Spring Fever	Haiku	bird,growth,happy,seasons
3/18/2023	Time Flies	Senryu	age,change,hair,life,old,
2/25/2023	Love's Peat Fire	Rhyme	dance,fire,heartbreak,lov
1/7/2023	Naughty Johnny	Limerick	child,parents,
1/6/2023	Better Angles	Free verse	feelings,fun,humor,relati
1/3/2023	Untie the Knot	Haibun	children,creation,future,
12/28/2022	While Brushing My Teeth	Tanka	environment,fear,future,h
11/27/2022	Balance	Senryu	happiness,health,life,pea
11/20/2022	Sunny Side Up	Senryu	humorous,metaphor,word pl
11/6/2022	Trial and Error	Senryu	life,wisdom,
11/5/2022	Deception	Senryu	betrayal,relationship,
10/28/2022	8400 Miles Nonstop	Light Verse	bird,flying,world,
10/26/2022	Debris Fields	Monoku	future,loss,wisdom,
10/22/2022	Love's Garden	Sedoka	love,metaphor,relationshi
10/15/2022	String Theory	Lyric	break up,relationship,sci
9/16/2022	Connie Marcum Wong	Haibun	blessing,character,friend
8/27/2022	Unsolicited Advice	Lyric	anxiety,conflict,relation
8/19/2022	Day of Reckoning	Senryu	change,future,humanity,wo
8/9/2022	Just August	Tanka	august,beach,family,fun,j
8/7/2022	Wisdom's Singularity	Haiku	silence,truth,wisdom,
8/4/2022	Pizza and Beer	Haiku	food,football,friendship,
7/16/2022	Writer's Block	Quatrain	inspiration,muse,writing,
7/15/2022	Beware	Senryu	confusion,trust,truth,
7/12/2022	Loss	Haiku	loss,sad,
7/9/2022	Wake-Up Call	Haiku	conflict,future,war,world
7/7/2022	Vincent Willem Van Gogh	Clerihew	art,courage,mental illnes
7/6/2022	Cherita Poetry Form	Free verse	poetry,
7/4/2022	Thanksgiving Crystals	Crystalline	blessing,inspirational,th
6/24/2022	The Real Pheidippides	Clerihew	race,
6/20/2022	War Drums	Senryu	conflict,peace,war,world,
6/19/2022	Cats Or Dogs	Personification	cat,dog,fun,pets,
6/1/2022	Sentimentality	Free verse	angst,anxiety,dark,discri
4/23/2022	Raining Cats and Dogs	Monoku	cat,dog,rain,word play,
2/23/2022	Awaiting Her Return	Free verse	bereavement,emotions,hope
12/24/2021	Our Life As One	Lyric	family,life,love,marriage
12/21/2021	Grace Like Rain	Free verse	growth,rain,
12/21/2021	Winter Solstice	Haiku	seasons,winter,
12/1/2021	Spiritual Armor	Haiku	bible,conflict,courage,ev
11/20/2021	Smokey Bear	Light Verse	environment,humorous,memo
11/4/2021	Shy	Haiku	nature,simple,
11/2/2021	World Champions	Haiku	baseball,
10/9/2021	Reflections	Free verse	age,death,life,loss,remem
9/25/2021	Ace	Haiku	sports,
9/24/2021	Fallen Leaves	Haiku	age,autumn,death,
9/12/2021	Crucible Moment	Free verse	dream,freedom,humanity,me
9/8/2021	Quarterfinal	Haiku	new york,sports,
9/7/2021	Which Ball	Haiku	football,soccer,word play
9/6/2021	Peachy Keen Redux	Haiku	fruit,smile,sweet,
8/30/2021	Nice Geese In Nice	Limerick	french,nice,word play,
8/30/2021	Hate To Let You Go	Lyric	break up,lost love,moving
8/29/2021	Early Birds	Haiku	bird,nature,
8/21/2021	Brevity	Haiku	nature,simple,

My Photos

Fav Poems

PoemTitle	Form	Categories
When You Float In Outer Space	Rhyme	friendship,inspirational,
Trouble Is Stewing	Light Verse	political,society,
The Armless Ambidextrian	Free verse	conflict,death,depression
Some People Choose To Lie	Free verse	betrayal,
Flight	Haiku	bird,flying,men,teacher,
Monoku - My Life	Monoku	deep,
Just Fly Words	Free verse	poetry,words,
Woe Is the Sea	Haiku	ocean,pollution,
Twilight	Free verse	age,death,emotions,endura
From Now On	Sonnet	8th grade,anxiety,boyfrie
Loses Things Too	Senryu	3rd grade,4th grade,5th g
Let Me Live	Rhyme	love,
It Is the Little Things	Free verse	how i feel,inspiration,in
Unnoticed	Free verse	encouraging,poetry,
Inobservant	Senryu	satire,society,technology
Autumn Ease	Haiku	autumn,nature,
Six-Word Couplet Series	Couplet	old,song,
Sundrops	Free verse	beautiful,flower,love,sky
A Life Well Lived	Free verse	life,
Blackbird Haiku	Haiku	beauty,bird,morning,natur
Sour Grapes	Sonnet	analogy,anger,heartbreak,
Six-Word Couplet Series	Couplet	america,appreciation,corr
This Could Have Been a Rhyme	Rhyme	funny,
Beak To Beak	Free verse	bird,family,love,
Colony of One	Senryu	analogy,community,family,
Infant Daybreak	Free verse	imagery,nature,romantic,
Pressed Closely	Rhyme	longing,love,
First Snowfall	Haiku	appreciation,nature,snow,
Grandmother's Hands	Rhyme	grandmother,
Venus Gifts a Yarrow's Kiss	Rhyme	emotions,heartbreak,hope,
Atear	Free verse	art,journey,life,longing,
June 1944	Monoku	lost love,war,
Bully Poets	Rhyme	anti bullying,bullying,po
The Red Wheelbarrow	Haibun	childhood,garden,grandpar
Last Meow	Tanka	grief,
My Pirate Women	Free verse	surreal,
sea song -	Free verse	analogy,appreciation,beac
World Cup	Verse	football,games,nostalgia,
A Flaw In the Potus	Senryu	america,irony,leadership,
Superpowers- Powerless	Rhyme	strength,wisdom,
Engraved	Tanka	lost love,
Laid To Rest	Free verse	bereavement,best friend,d
Corner of My Time	Lyric	philosophy,
The Life of a Poet	Rhyme	dream,imagery,world,
Footprints On My Heart	Free verse	love,marriage,
September's Song	Free verse	anxiety,death,depression,
Let's Eat Grandma	Limerick	fun,
nature, human -	Free verse	metaphor,nature,passion,r
Mill Wheel	Narrative	winter,
We Are Not Merely Poets	Free verse	10th grade,11th grade,12t
to heal a vacant heaven -	Free verse	fantasy,
Perfect	Free verse	introspection,
Anthony Bourdain 1956-2018 -	Free verse	appreciation,celebrity,li
The Lightest Touch	Rhyme	dance,dream,love,romance,
The Phases of Grief	Couplet	courage,endurance,grief,i
to sail the sky -	Couplet	adventure,imagination,met
Domestic Abuse	Quatrain	abuse,anxiety,dark,
In This Place	Free verse	city,nature,
The Adventure, Her	Couplet	adventure,appreciation,be
Haiku Xss	Haiku	bird,flower,spring,
Morris the Thesaurus Tortoise	Light Verse	children,humor,words,
Assembly Programming Test	Free verse	computer,memory,school,su
The Red Leaf	Free verse	death,emotions,grief,hear
Wicked Art!	Free verse	allegory,art,devotion,
Michelangelo's David	Ekphrasis	art,
the essence of soft shadows -	Free verse	analogy,appreciation,intr
Of Captains and Cradles	Couplet	appreciation,history,poet
Computer Animation Seven Ten	Verse	art,computer,creation,met
Burning Embers	Sonnet	love,romance,
To Uplift, Or Live Adrift	Rhyme	allusion,encouraging,insp
Patina of Life	Free verse	animal,appreciation,art,
Joy Through Her Loving Ways	Enclosed Rhyme	day,dream,girl,
Sweep In Like a Summer Breeze	Lyric	husband,lost love,
Ten Again	Free verse	childhood,
Touch the Words In Braille	Free verse	art,butterfly,color,imagi
aching sky -	Rhyme	adventure,beauty,fantasy,
Words	Free verse	language,loss,memory,reme
The Poem Garden	Rhyme	garden,metaphor,poems,poe
Sunny Horizons - POTD	Rhyme	appreciation,farewell,ins
Almost Love	Verse	lost love,
tears for apollo -	Free verse	analogy,childhood,father,
Rhymes of Love	Rhyme	inspirational,love,
My Dress Is a Cloud of Red	Free verse	love,
Trim Trimmer Chicken Dinner Winner	Rhyme	character,confidence,cool
New Year- a New Beginning	Rhyme	joy,
Color of My Heart	Sonnet	color,heart,humanity,
Catting	Rhyme	cat,fun,humorous,
Critics	Free verse	beach,imagery,inspiration
Flowers and Champagne	Acrostic	appreciation,celebration,
Swan Ballerina Pages	Personification	poetess,poetry,
Ludic	Free verse	humorous,language,
Poem Ingredients	Rhyme	desire,food,how i feel,im
To Hunt the Bugaboo	Rhyme	funny,humor,humorous,
Three Keys	Couplet	faith,hope,love,
Winter Wonderland	Sonnet	appreciation,beauty,natur
Poem To Myself	Free verse	feelings,life,poetry,
Desert Bloom	Personification	flower,metaphor,spring,
Winter Walking Blues	Free verse	brother,childhood,dad,dea
Hierarchy of Habits	Free verse	animal,humanity,perspecti
The Rocking Chair	Rhyme	appreciation,blessing,cha