I finally found the time to break
from studying for finals, sit down
and get online to AllPoetry.com.
I was looking over my poems' reviews,
responding to comments and views,
and all my favs' messages I hadn't gotten to.
Looking curiously at the newly
posted contests, especially the ones
that accept prewrites, I think,
"Hey, I'll throw my hat in, too."
Minutes later, I get responses
from the various contest 'hosts.'
"If you're going to enter my contest,
I'd appreciate it if you'd follow
the rules: username in your AN..."
Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
Okaaaay...my bad - I thought I read
those rules thoroughly through.
Apparently not, if these are the only
comments my 'host' has on their view
of my poetry; but one gave me credit,
saying "it wasn't a bad poem" -
just didn't follow all the rules.
I can understand; I mean, I have
my limits, too, when it comes to
contest criteria and rules.
But honestly, why can't you just
message me, or the rest of us, rather
than leave meaningless comments
on our poetry stating that
"you're not following MY rules."
I like to give points away in contests,
and I have respect for others who
do the same, too...
But honestly, people! What's wrong
with following the Golden Rule?
Do you want the only comment on a poem of
yours to be: "It doesn't follow the rules"?
If you're going to comment on a poem,
comment on the form and content -
don't leave needless comments
about rules that leave other readers
clueless as to what you are referring to!
That's why messaging is here for you to use!
Author notes
Yes, it's another theraputic rant.
I'm burned out from finals, with
one left in German to do.
In a list
Is it me, or are they getting crankier and more demanding?
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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ALWAYS BEING THOUGHTFUL TO OTHERS
RESPECT ALWAYS, NO MATTER WHAT.
GOOD LUCK ON YOU GERMAN EXAM MY FRIEND
GOD BLESS...
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I know what you're talking about .. I get very irritated with people who have millions of obscure rules about their contests, anyway .. "Oh, you have to say "U R SO HOT" in your AN, and you have to have the number "4" there, too, and you have to comment on all of my poems, or you have no chance of winning" .. none of this has anything to do with poetry, it seems like it's more a power trip than anything! Good for you, letting off some steam!
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I have had that happen to me so that I read the rules much more carefully now and follow them the best that I can although sometimes the rules are a bit obscure. Thank you for sharing this rant it was well done.
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I hope you do great in German!! You need to blow off steam...that's why I like to post my poetry. Good points here, but receive what you can from everyone, there are some good suggestions too!!
Oh, by the way, I like the new idea for your user name, Simply Jenny...very cute.. if it's okay to say that!!
I'm trying to finish my two classes this week too, and my harddrive crashed!!!! AAAGGH!! However, I will get through this! And so will you. Take a break occasionally!
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OH I LOVE IT!
I love it because, I too hate the 'nazi' contests. I actually saw one that had 15 rules the otherday. 15! I think one of them was "Rule 12: You can only type with your left hand or right foot".
Brilliant little poem you've got here, both subject wise and flow. It's funny the length of the lines before the rhyme made me think of rap, and by the end I had this to a beat and was reading it in pace.
Nice work. Great rant.
You aren't following my rules. I said to use a GREEN font and windlings! -
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THANK YOU!
I thought it was just me being burned out. It turns out for one contest I read 50 lines instead of 50 words...
Oiy! Finals! I was up most last night, and after 5+ cups of coffee, I couldn't tell if I was shaking from the caffeine or the anxiety of my final finals - I'm graduating, God willing, this quarter...more pressure.
But I don't know...past few months, contest hosts, entrants have been polite for the most part...now, like you said, we've got the Gestapo cracking down...
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