Until my last semester of college, I had never written a poem written just one poem–it was a poem to my husband about putting the toilet seat down. But I took a poetry writing class because it was four units, which brought me perfectly to the 120 unit mark I needed to graduate. I figured I’d be writing a lot of lovey-dovey crap (it seems to be the most available topic) and hating all of it. BUT… I ended up writing only a few love poems and the rest was completely different. And the best part is that I enjoyed it and I will continue to write poetry while I work on my fiction stories. I feel like poetry keeps my language tight because I’m always trying to say a lot in only a few words. My stories sometimes need that, too.
Anyway, after the semester ended I kept writing poetry and submitting my work to journals, in hopes to be able to have “published” added to my resume because, well, it just never hurts. I fully expect to be turned down a hundred times before just one of my poems will eventually be accepted but to be quite honest, I’m looking forward to the rejection. First, I’m realistic and know my poems aren’t the best. Granted, they’re good but not great–and they aren’t all “leave everything unsaid” and “discover yourself” type of poems, which journals often like. Second, the rejection letters will probably have a lot of valuable suggestions and/or advice in them, which I desperately need. My husband isn’t much of a reader, and he isn’t into poetry, and I hate to always bother my busy friends to read every word I write. So some secondary feedback would be lovely.
I’ve only submitted to two journals–Plum Ruby Review and Fail Better–but this is just my jumping off point. I’d like to hear back from these places to make sure I’m submitting properly (which I believe I am). The poems I submitted are nearly the same and one of the poems I’ve used in class for a presentation and workshop before, so I’m getting pretty tired of it.
That Guy is a persona poem
That Guy
Dude, did I tell you I played football in high school?
Yeah, I was like, totally the star!
Dude, and all the chicks wanted me
And I banged ‘em out in my car!
Man, have I ever told you how drunk I was in college?
Yeah, I drank beer every frickin’ day!
Man, and I never even went to my classes
And I was like, NO work and ALL play!
Guy, do you know that I lift weights?
Yeah, I like am totally the strongest!
Guy, and I jog with my buddies every day,
And I like, totally last the longest!
Bud, isn’t my job the frickin’ best?
Yeah, I’m like checkin’ out the receptionists rack!
Bud, the girls at my work are so smokin’
And dude, you know I’m layin’ down the mack!
Dawg, did you see the 22s on my truck?
Yeah, I spent a couple G’s on them!
Dawg, did you hear my new system,
And how loud I’m bumpin’ Eminem!
Bro, have I ever told you how tight I am?
Yeah, I sag my pants and smoke cause I’m cool.
Bro, if you see my lady have her hit me up
And she can tell me why she thinks I’m a tool.
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