I’m thrilled and honored to have received the inaugural Shō Poetry Prize for my poem “The Starlings Were You.” Persistence is key—this poem was rejected 28 times prior to winning the prize. If you believe in your work, keep sending it out!
Shō Poetry Journal is a print journal, but they’ve authorized me to post a photo of the poem:
Many thanks and much appreciation to Dominique Ahkong and Johnny Cordova for selecting this piece.
O at the Edges 
You are on an incredible roll! I’m beyond happy about these publications and awards. Huge congratulations!
LikeLike
Thank you. These past two years have been exasperating, exhausting, and yes, even exciting, with more success in poetry than I ever imagined. I am grateful beyond words to be here, still active. Who knows what tomorrow brings?
LikeLike
this is an amazing honor – congratulations
LikeLiked by 1 person
After all the rejections, no one was more surprised than I! That’s poetry!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats! I’m delighted for you, and always appreciate the concurrent reminder that rejections are just part of a poem’s lifecycle before it finds its proper home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, SJ! I believe the poem was first submitted in mid-2020, and wandered, not aimlessly, but fruitlessly, until it landed at Sho. Serendipity!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations. It’s so good to see your work appreciated so. And I can really use the inspiration to be persistent so I’m glad you let that drop!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Angela. An unexpected award, and all the more delightful for it! Success through the journey of rejection. Or something like that. 🤪
LikeLike
Congratulations for your well-deserved poetry prize!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Liz. And such a surprise!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Bob.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful news!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael. A good start to the year!
LikeLike
Super great news!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dan. A big surprise, but of course welcome. Persistence, or maybe stubbornness, wins out. 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations, Robert.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Andrew. Much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you are getting the recognition you deserve and that you keep believing in yourself. That last line will stay with me for a long time.
Congratulations! (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kerfe. I don’t know that I deserve anything, but I’m stubborn to the core and don’t easily give up in something I believe in. So here I am, after forty years, achieving some small measure of what passes for success. It’s nice! It feels good. But somehow I wish I’d been given the magic formula earlier on the way. Ha. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
The mysteries of life. BTW, thanks for the mention in your dedications. And Scarecrow Sees arrived today too! With the wheatfield poem–one of my very favorites. I am smiling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad they’ve arrived. I’d guess that most of the people listed in the acknowledgments will never know they were thanked, but I truly am grateful for their support over the years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. Lots of good people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations! Great poem that made me reflect on life
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Barbara. That is all I could want of this piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful poem Robert. Rejected 28 times, my God, there is hope for us then! All the best with everything. Jim
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jim. The greatest lesson from poetry: don’t give up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pleased your faith and persistence was eventually rewarded
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Derrick. If we don’t believe in ourselves, our work, who will?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on winning the prize! You have resilience for continuing to submit your poetry, and it paid off 🌞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dave. I’m still able to bounce back…
LikeLiked by 1 person
This recognition is wonderful. Congratulations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And so unexpected, which adds to the wonderfulness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful piece, Bob. I’m shocked it took so long to find publication, but not at all that it won this prize.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the Po-biz. I never count on acceptances, much less nominations and awards. The reward is always in the writing.
LikeLike
A fine poem, Robert! It seems to me I have read this one before…have you posted it on wordpress a couple of years back?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dwight. This is the poem’s first appearance, but I’ve written similar pieces.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps that is the feeling I was getting. Congratulations on getting it published.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That feeling was probably it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve read it on several online forums, so that’s a possibility.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Acceptance, rejection, or just hearing silence — who can account for any of this? Well, I’m glad this one of yours found its place and plaudits.
I was good to see you (and Stephanie too) reading last night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Frank. It was good seeing you, and other friends, last night. The turnout was really great!
LikeLike