Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Poet on February 28, 2006, at 16:20:39
I entered a poetry contest and didn't even place somewhere in 30 honorable mentions. What little s*** I've posted on writing just proves to me that I am not, nor will I ever be a poet.
So, help me find a new name.
I'm thinking of
Hypocrite
Cuff (complete utter failure forever)
QOEL (Queen of employment losers)Nothing cheerful, please. I know you have to be civil, but please don't lie.
Not a Poet
Posted by Deneb on February 28, 2006, at 16:42:07
In reply to Need a New Posting Name, posted by Poet on February 28, 2006, at 16:20:39
Don't feel bad. I think poetry is really subjective. Do you feel good about writing poetry? If you do, please don't stop just because of one contest. I bet lots of best seller books and works of art get bad reviews at first. It doesn't mean that they're bad. I think it just means that whoever was judging it didn't like it.
(((((((Poet))))))))
I love your name, it sounds mysterious.
Deneb
Posted by Dinah on February 28, 2006, at 17:41:55
In reply to Need a New Posting Name, posted by Poet on February 28, 2006, at 16:20:39
You are a poet. You express yourself through poetry. What difference does a contest make to that?
Posted by Dinah on February 28, 2006, at 17:43:05
In reply to Need a New Posting Name, posted by Poet on February 28, 2006, at 16:20:39
That the contest meant nothing.
((((Poet))))
I'm sorry the judges didn't share your vision. That must feel rotten.
Posted by sleepygirl on February 28, 2006, at 18:22:28
In reply to Need a New Posting Name, posted by Poet on February 28, 2006, at 16:20:39
Poet...that sounds really disappointing, but I know that who you are could never be defined by a contest
Now you don't expect me to judge you so harshly do you? You are a unique individual, and therefore incomparable
trust yourself OK?
Posted by Phillipa on February 28, 2006, at 19:19:02
In reply to Re: Need a New Posting Name » Poet, posted by sleepygirl on February 28, 2006, at 18:22:28
I like your name for what it's worth. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Racer on February 28, 2006, at 21:53:44
In reply to Re: Need a New Posting Name » Poet, posted by Deneb on February 28, 2006, at 16:42:07
Well, you know I'm biassed on all this, so I won't say a word about whether or not you're any of the things you've suggested. You can imagine what I'd say -- so just internalize me, 'K?
As for a name, if you really want a new one, how about TheLesserMcGinty?
That's all I can think of.
Oh, and Edna St Vincent Millay didn't win the poetry contest for Renescence, so that tells you all you ever need to know about poetry contests.
xoxo
Posted by JenStar on February 28, 2006, at 21:57:02
In reply to Need a New Posting Name, posted by Poet on February 28, 2006, at 16:20:39
I read this really cool Zen quote:
When you meet a man who is a master swordsman, show him your sword.
When you meet a man who is not a poet, do not show him your poem.
Your poetry doesn't have to be popular to be meaningful to YOU. Maybe you're ahead of your time! (Many famous writers were...) Maybe these people don't recognize the true poetry of your poems.If you're a poet inside, keep the name. Don't give it up because a commercial venture didn't work out. :)
JenStar
Posted by AuntieMel on March 1, 2006, at 13:18:52
In reply to Need a New Posting Name, posted by Poet on February 28, 2006, at 16:20:39
I haven't read any of your stuff, cause I usually don't go to writing.
But the name "Poet" perfectly fits the person I met in Chicago.
Posted by Poet on March 1, 2006, at 20:28:28
In reply to Need a New Posting Name, posted by Poet on February 28, 2006, at 16:20:39
Posted by Damos on March 2, 2006, at 15:13:17
In reply to Need a New Posting Name, posted by Poet on February 28, 2006, at 16:20:39
See and here I was thinking that it was having the soul of a Poet that mattered, not what other may think of our words.
You have the soul of a Poet and that's what matters to *me*.
If you really want another name, given the context how 'bout Wordsfailedme
You'll always be a true Poet to me.
Damos
Posted by Poet on March 2, 2006, at 19:57:21
In reply to Re: Need a New Posting Name » Poet, posted by Deneb on February 28, 2006, at 16:42:07
Hi Deneb,
I wish you'd been one of the judges. I know I shouldn't base my being able to write on one contest, but it's just reaffirming in my own mind that I am a failure.
For now, I'll stay Poet.
Thanks for caring.
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 2, 2006, at 20:01:18
In reply to Which is not to say » Poet, posted by Dinah on February 28, 2006, at 17:43:05
Hi Dinah,
The 99 percent negative part of me said I'd fail to win and I once again proved myself right. I know, stop beating myself up over one defeat. It does feel rotten and thanks for understanding.
Poet (still think the name should go, but...)
Posted by Poet on March 2, 2006, at 20:07:02
In reply to Re: Need a New Posting Name » Poet, posted by sleepygirl on February 28, 2006, at 18:22:28
Hi sleepygirl,
Thank you for thinking that I'm unique and incomparable. You are right that I can't be defined by a contest.
I just held out a little bit of hope that I would prove my inner critic wrong and I just feel kicked in the head.
Thanks for not agreeing with my inner critic.
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 2, 2006, at 20:08:58
In reply to Re: Need a New Posting Name, posted by Phillipa on February 28, 2006, at 19:19:02
Hi Phillipa,
Thanks. Your opinion is worth a lot.
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 2, 2006, at 20:13:49
In reply to Re: Need a New Posting Name, posted by Racer on February 28, 2006, at 21:53:44
Hi Racer,
I know what you would say and I am interalizing you. Hey, your feet are cold. Knit yourself some socks.
I didn't know about Edna St. Vincent Millay not winning. That girl could write.
I do like thelessermcginty. It fits me.
Thanks for being you.
lesser or greater or equal to Poet or whatever aptly describes the being I am
Posted by Poet on March 2, 2006, at 20:17:09
In reply to maybe you don't? » Poet, posted by JenStar on February 28, 2006, at 21:57:02
Hi Jenstar,
That is a great quote. I'm going to print it out. I'd probably show the swordsman a poem and vice versa, but I have been told my words can be very sharp. I guess I can write, just not what the judges were looking for. I refuse to read anything that did win. That would just be too much for me to handle.
Thanks for your help.
Poet, er, okay, Poet
Posted by Poet on March 2, 2006, at 20:28:05
In reply to Re: No you don't » Poet, posted by AuntieMel on March 1, 2006, at 13:18:52
Hi Auntie Mel,
But, but, but...I just started a sentence with the word but. Simply not done in proper writing circles. Exactly why I don't mingle in proper circles.
I guess if the name fits, I should keep it. Though what does a poet look like that it fits me so well? Hmm?
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 2, 2006, at 20:34:47
In reply to Re: Need a New Posting Name » Poet, posted by Damos on March 2, 2006, at 15:13:17
Hi Damos,
I base so much on what others think of me and then turn around and judge myself as harshly as possible.
It does matter that I have the soul of a poet, I'm having trouble feeling that right now, but I believe you.
(Soul of a) Poet
Posted by AuntieMel on March 3, 2006, at 10:41:05
In reply to Re: No you don't » AuntieMel, posted by Poet on March 2, 2006, at 20:28:05
The look - the look of a free spirit.
Posted by Racer on March 3, 2006, at 15:33:21
In reply to Re: Need a New Posting Name » Damos, posted by Poet on March 2, 2006, at 20:34:47
> Hi Damos,
>
> I base so much on what others think of me and then turn around and judge myself as harshly as possible.
>
>Now, Poet, you and I have emailed enough off the board that I know this about you: you have a very strong personality, and you certainly think for yourself about most issues. You wouldn't let me decide your politics for you, nor your favorite movies.
So why the [long line of expletives deleted] would you allow anyone else to affect your judging of yourself?
Whoops -- guess that means you shouldn't allow others to affect your harshness with yourself, but you do know what I mean... lol
So, GreaterPoet, with the SoulOfAPoet, how come you allow what others think to spur you on to greater harshness with yourself? What do you care what someone else thinks, any more than you'd care how someone else voted?
On the other hand, I didn't read your poem...
{ducking and running away...}
xoxo
Posted by Tamar on March 4, 2006, at 20:17:11
In reply to Need a New Posting Name, posted by Poet on February 28, 2006, at 16:20:39
I haven't read this whole thread yet... I'm really pushed for time...
However, I hear your disappointment and I'm sad for you. Maybe the judges in the competition were looking for something very specific and it just wasn't what you entered in the competition.
Poetry is a very subjective thing and the work that blows one person away may leave another cold. For example, I still don't understand all the fuss about Wordsworth, but I love Primo Levi and Erich Fried. I don't think you should question your vocation as a poet just because of this competition... There will be others.
Being a writer involves a lot of rejection. All the most well known writers have stories about rejection which they still feel bitter about years later. It's hard to separate the rejection of your work from the idea of a personal rejection, especially when your work is poetry. I can imagine that it feels as though your very soul is being invalidated. In poetry we pour our whole feelings and experience into our work and if people don't appreciate it, we can feel terribly misunderstood and unloved. But you are loved; you are a talented and interesting person and your work is very worthwhile, despite the lack of attention of some people who didn't appreciate your work properly
FWIW, I love your original and imagiative use of language.
Tamar
Posted by Poet on March 5, 2006, at 18:19:25
In reply to Re: No you don't » Poet, posted by AuntieMel on March 3, 2006, at 10:41:05
Hi Auntie Mel,
I would agree that I am a free spirit. I've often been told I'd make a great eccentric aunt one day. I think my sister's cats would agree with that as they are my only nieces and nephews.
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 5, 2006, at 18:25:18
In reply to Why? » Poet, posted by Racer on March 3, 2006, at 15:33:21
Hi Racer,
You are right that I would never let you or anyone decide my politics or my favorite movie. Besides my movies are in categories.
I care too much about what other people think of me. Much of it is from all the job interviews and no job offers. I know, don't base my self esteem on career. I need a memory chip implanted that says that over and over.
I would have said that my entry form and poems got lost in the mail, but they cashed the entry fee check. Maybe once the wound heals I'll post them on writing and let real writing experts critique them. Civilly, of course.
LesserPoet
Posted by Poet on March 5, 2006, at 18:27:18
In reply to Re: Need a New Posting Name » Poet, posted by Tamar on March 4, 2006, at 20:17:11
Hi Tamar,
Maybe I should entered some of my posts in the contest. Anyway, this rejection has been real hard to take. Though there are others and one thing 200 job interviews has given me is keep trying no matter how much it hurts.
Thanks for liking my writing style. Wish you had been a contest judge.
Poet
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