O at the Edges

Musings on poetry, language, perception, numbers, food, and anything else that slips through the cracks.

Poem Nominated for Best of the Net

Posted on September 24, 2017 by robert okaji

My poem “When to Say Goodbye” has been submitted to the Best of the Net 2017 anthology by the editors of Oxidant Engine. I’m honored to be nominated alongside one of my favorite poets, Khaty Xiong.

53 thoughts on “Poem Nominated for Best of the Net”

Andrew McDowell on September 23, 2017 at 3:43 pm said:

Congratulations!

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 4:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Andrew.
  
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  - Andrew McDowell on September 23, 2017 at 4:59 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome.
    
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Leigh W. Smith on September 23, 2017 at 3:47 pm said:

Way to go, Bob!! Do readers get to vote on them at some point?

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 4:48 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Leigh. I think Sundress Publications makes all the editorial decisions. Sort of like the Pushcart Prize, but online publications only, and no public votes.
  
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Melba Christie at Poemattic on September 23, 2017 at 4:43 pm said:

Congratulations!

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 4:48 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much.
  
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erichmichaels on September 23, 2017 at 4:54 pm said:

That’s fantastic…congratulations!

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 5:20 pm said:
  
  Thank you!
  
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Writings By MCM on September 23, 2017 at 5:29 pm said:

Congrats

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 7:12 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much.
  
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stephanielharper on September 23, 2017 at 6:29 pm said:

So proud of you, Sir Robert!

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 7:12 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Ms. H!
  
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stephanielharper on September 23, 2017 at 6:35 pm said:

Reblogged this on SLHARPERPOETRY and commented:
Congratulations to Robert Okaji on this fabulous poem’s Best of the Net 2017 nomination!

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 7:13 pm said:
  
  And thank you for sharing the news!
  
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memadtwo on September 23, 2017 at 6:47 pm said:

Great news! Congrats. (K)

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 7:14 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Kerfe. These things are always unexpected and mind boggling. 🙂
  
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  - memadtwo on September 23, 2017 at 7:53 pm said:
    
    should not be unexpected…
    
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    - robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 9:35 pm said:
      
      I’m seldom surprised when a poem is rejected. 😃 But acceptances are less usual, and awards or nominations for awards are true rarities.
      
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      - memadtwo on September 24, 2017 at 7:35 am said:
        
        I know that there are many things we can’t control that go into acceptances. But your work is so good, I’m not surprised at any of the publications and awards.
        I have trouble with all the rejections…especially for my art. I do keep submitting, but it’s been a long time since anyone wanted anything. With the blog, at least I know it gets read and seen. And that’s what I want in the end.
        
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        robert okaji on September 24, 2017 at 8:09 am said:
        
        Oh, how I understand the “get read and seen” impulse. In the end, most of my poems achieve that – if not through publication somewhere, then on the blog. “A Word is Not a Home” received its 7th rejection just a few days ago, and I decided to post it rather than send it out again.
        
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        memadtwo on September 24, 2017 at 8:22 am said:
        
        You have a much stronger constitution for rejection than I!
        
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        robert okaji on September 24, 2017 at 8:26 am said:
        
        I average about ten a month, but can’t write fast enough to increase that number by much. Ha.
        
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Luanne on September 23, 2017 at 6:49 pm said:

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 7:15 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Luanne. The poem was drafted during the August 2015 30-30 challenge!
  
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  - Luanne on September 24, 2017 at 9:51 am said:
    
    Hmm, I was just thinking how that one poem a day is something I don’t see how I ever managed or ever could again! Congrats again!
    
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    - robert okaji on September 24, 2017 at 3:20 pm said:
      
      It’s fun, but exhausting.
      
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nananoyz on September 23, 2017 at 7:49 pm said:

Super!

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 9:35 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Leslie!
  
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ivors20 on September 23, 2017 at 8:10 pm said:

That’s great news Robert, wishing you the best of luck.

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 9:37 pm said:
  
  To me, the nomination is the true honor – the fact that someone thought enough of something I wrote to nominate it is beyond the pale.
  
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ダニエル・シュネー on September 23, 2017 at 8:58 pm said:

This is great! Congratulations!

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- robert okaji on September 23, 2017 at 9:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Daniel. Very humbling.
  
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thotpurge on September 23, 2017 at 9:56 pm said:

Beautifully written. Congratulations.

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- robert okaji on September 24, 2017 at 6:52 am said:
  
  Thank you, Rajani. Much appreciated.
  
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smilecalm on September 23, 2017 at 10:04 pm said:

bowing
to your
recognition 🙂

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- robert okaji on September 24, 2017 at 6:55 am said:
  
  Ah, thank you! 🙏🏼
  
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crow on September 23, 2017 at 10:12 pm said:

Congratulations!

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- robert okaji on September 24, 2017 at 6:55 am said:
  
  Thanks, Charles. It took me by surprise!
  
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  - crow on September 24, 2017 at 9:46 am said:
    
    That’s a good surprise.
    
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rivrvlogr on September 23, 2017 at 10:30 pm said:

Well deserved, Bob.

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- robert okaji on September 24, 2017 at 6:56 am said:
  
  Thanks, Ken. I guess there’s something to be said for persistence. 😬
  
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Betty Hayes Albright on September 23, 2017 at 10:40 pm said:

Congratulations, Robert!

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- robert okaji on September 24, 2017 at 6:56 am said:
  
  Thanks very much, Betty.
  
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David Kanigan on September 24, 2017 at 3:15 am said:

Congratulations!

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- robert okaji on September 24, 2017 at 6:57 am said:
  
  Thank you, David!
  
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derrickjknight on September 24, 2017 at 8:14 am said:

Hearty congratulations

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- robert okaji on September 24, 2017 at 8:16 am said:
  
  Thank you, Derrick. Recognition is so rare that my first thought upon receiving the notice was “Did you really mean to send this email to me?” Ha!
  
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  - derrickjknight on September 24, 2017 at 9:43 am said:
    
    🙂
    
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Donatello Mojica on September 25, 2017 at 7:25 am said:

Excellent, that’s really awesome

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- robert okaji on September 25, 2017 at 7:38 am said:
  
  Thanks very much.
  
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shenandoahbreakdown on September 25, 2017 at 10:01 am said:

Congratulations, Robert

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- robert okaji on September 25, 2017 at 4:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Jose!
  
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