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November 21st , 2024

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WINFRED KWAO

9 months ago

GRATEFUL

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Poetry

9 months ago



Just received my first rejection letter

in fifteen years

after fifteen years of creative celibacy

The (1) in my Gmail tab had my heart aflutter

before my brain could even say "Careful, love,


We've been down this road before"

Nah, I welcome your congratulations

That prize money is in the bag

Yeah, I might be able to fly out to do a reading

on my victory lap, to your adulation, thank you

I assume my travel costs will be covered?


I'd forgotten the sting of "Unfortunately ... "

A template personalized with just my initials

(Pen names are not shields)

at the top to let me know it isn't personal

It feels personal

Out of over 600 submissions

mine was not the best

Even though it felt Nobel-worthy while writing it

Turns out, barely noteworthy

Didn't even make the short list

What a welcome back after 15 years


And yet

Thank you for your consideration

Because I wouldn't have written a word

had I not been enticed, challenged,

to allow myself back in

after 15 years of self-exile

For just a few minutes of reading time

my words were centre stage

kissed the limelight

illuminating

I'd be a hypocrite


Unfortunately, I too could pick a favourite

out of over 600

knowing it will break 600 "Dear [name]" hearts

Who am I to judge?

I am, indeed, just grateful for the opportunity

to write again

not because it proves

I can.

Because it proves

I did.

Just received my first rejection letter

in fifteen years

after fifteen years of creative celibacy

The (1) in my Gmail tab had my heart aflutter

before my brain could even say "Careful, love,

We've been down this road before"

Nah, I welcome your congratulations

That prize money is in the bag

Yeah, I might be able to fly out to do a reading

on my victory lap, to your adulation, thank you

I assume my travel costs will be covered?

Click

I'd forgotten the sting of "Unfortunately ... "

A template personalized with just my initials

(Pen names are not shields)

at the top to let me know it isn't personal

It feels personal

Out of over 600 submissions

mine was not the best

Even though it felt Nobel-worthy while writing it

Turns out, barely noteworthy

Didn't even make the short list

What a welcome back after 15 years

And yet

Thank you for your consideration

Because I wouldn't have written a word

had I not been enticed, challenged,

to allow myself back in

after 15 years of self-exile

For just a few minutes of reading time

my words were center stage

kissed the limelight

illuminating

I'd be a hypocrite

Unfortunately, I too could pick a favorite

out of over 600

knowing it will break 600 "Dear [name]" hearts

Who am I to judge?

I am, indeed, just grateful for the opportunity

to write again

not because it proves

I can.

Because it proves

I did.

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WINFRED KWAO

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