How do we poets measure success? When I first started writing I believed that getting a handful of poems published in journals would provide that measure. Within a couple of years that belief morphed into publishing in better journals, and perhaps someday having editors ask to see my work. Then I thought chapbook publication would indicate achievement, as would having work accepted by a few “unattainables” — those journals that publish “THE GREATS,” not mere mortals like us. And of course winning contests and prizes would prove real success, as would full-length book publication. I’ve checked off all of those standards but one — full-length book publication — and still feel, well, lacking. The goal line keeps shimmering ahead, and likely always will. All this is to say that I have three poems up at Evergreen Review, an unattainable if ever there was. I must admit to feeling a moment of panic when Evergreen Review poetry editor Jee Leong Koh’s announcement email arrived this morning. “Are these poems good enough?” I asked myself. “Who am I, and how the hell did I ever think my work belonged there?” As I said, the goal line keeps moving, and I don’t know if true success in the poetry world, whatever that is, will ever welcome me. But this morning’s breakfast of pancetta-scrambled eggs and toast was delicious, if I say so myself. So I have that!
O at the Edges 
I bet that must feel totally validating! And, it shows the imposter syndrome lives on in the best. Congrats, on reaching your unattainable.
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Thanks, Jay. Getting the acceptance a few months ago was awesome and yes, validating. But I really did feel a moment of near-panic this morning upon receiving word that the poems were now out in the world and ready for judgment. I spent way too much time in the 80s looking at back issues of Evergreen to ever feel worthy. But…
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Congratulations on attaining the unattainable, Bob! The three poems are outstanding, so emotive for me.
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Thank you, Liz! This was the second acceptance this year by an unattainable! The other one preceded this one by a month, and will appear in print sometime this fall. I may never get another, but it’s nice to have a few. 😊
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You’re welcome, Bob!
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Congratulations Bob! These poems are definitely worthy! I loved them all, very muse-worthy
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Thanks, Lynne! I’m so lucky to live with my muse! 🙂
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Hah, you certainly do eh! But also I found myself musing over these poems, I like how your mind works!
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They broke the mold, then made me. 😄
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Congratulations! I very happy for you.
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Thanks, Charles. I very happy, too. 🤓
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Robert, you are an incredible words-worker. You deserve every publication and more. Congratulations!
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Thanks so much, Tre. I’m persistent, if nothing else!
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You’re most welcome. Haha. You’re that, too!
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😀
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You’re not resting on your laurels. There’s plenty of positives to say about that.
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The joy is in the writing. What comes after is the icing on the cake.
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You deserve it! (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe!
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Congratulations young Robert .. your distant horizons and rainbow beams are endless dreams bursting at the seams .. ..
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Thanks, Ivor. I just keep plodding along, one word at a time…
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Those poems are triumphs in themselves but wow, well done! 👏 Very happy for you, RO! Also I would totally celebrate those eggs too, especially after your long road back to normal taste/smell.
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Thank you, Sunshine! With regards to our taste/smell, I don’t know if we’ll ever attain normalcy again. We’re close, but onions and garlic are still iffy. Some days I can tolerate onions, and then there are those days when I gag at the smell of them in the grocery store. Raw peppers (red bell, jalapeños, etc.) are still a bit nasty, but once cooked are okay. So we mostly avoid onions and garlic, as tolerance shifts day-to-day. But at least we have bacon!
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