Today is Poetry Friday. If you want to know what that is and join in, check out this post by children’s author Renee La Tulippe. Our host for this week’s round-up is Patricia Franz, at her blog, Reading, Writing, Wondering. She is celebrating a milestone in her life that I can relate to well.
This week has been busy. I’m not sure why it seemed more active than usual but it did. We are finally getting some really nice warm weather in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Temperatures in the mid-70s and bright sunshine does the soul a lot of good. Our deck furniture is out, the loons have been calling, and our summer garage-building project is underway. I also started planting my garden beds which I thoroughly enjoy.
Just this morning I met a neighbor who gave me some divisions of her perennials. You have to love gardeners, they cannot wait to give away some of their plants!
All of these things have stimulated my creativity to rebound and I have returned to receiving phrases in the middle of the night that stay with me long enough to jot them down in the notes section on my phone in the surrounding darkness. I also thought of a few haiku riding in the car while my husband drove. One of those, I’ll share today.
In the past few months, I’ve written about how much I appreciated our state poetry fellowship group. Unfortunately, the positive experiences were put to trial this week as I had to inquire as to the status of an entry for the newsletter. After several emails, our regional coordinator and I are working together to try and promote the importance of letting poets know if their entry has been received by the group for publication in the newsletter. I’ve been treading carefully during this time because while I think submissions could be handled better, there is also a new person in charge of the “poetry corner” for our group. All members and officers are volunteers.
As a long-time volunteer who logged thousands of hours over the last 24 years in Wisconsin. I feel strongly that volunteers should have time to learn their roles and be valued for their efforts and contribution of time. Therefore, when I finally heard from the poetry corner coordinator, I extended him a great deal of grace.
Some of you might remember the villain poem I wrote about in April. It was the question of whether this poem was received or not, as it was not selected for inclusion in the newsletter.
Long story short, it was received and although the role of the poetry corner coordinator is to acknowledge the receipt of all submissions, I did not receive such a communication. It’s all been worked out and I feel good about how we were all mature adults discussing how things could be improved for future submissions from all poets. I also received a lot of encouragement to keep writing from our regional coordinator.
More and more, I am finding that publishers do not want poems that have previously been made public, even digitally on a blog or Facebook. Therefore, I am not going to share my villain poem which was on Captain Hook. I am saving it to see if there is another “home” I can find for it first.
Finally, here is one of the haiku I wrote this week:
What has been occupying your poetry time this week? Do you expect a receipt confirmation when you send out a poem to a smaller group? If you were to submit to an anthology, wouldn’t you want to know your poem(s) were received, even if you didn’t know whether or not they’d be included?
Here are a few medium posts from this week –
The Apples in My Orchard 
I can relate. I just emailed a person about a recent submission and whether it was received. I would like to know that submissions are received. The photo and the haiku s a great way to end the week.
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Carol, you are right to request a response to a submission. It is difficult for volunteer staff to be timely so I am glad that you are working on this. Your haiku reminds me of how beautiful sunsets are. Your image poem is restful and calm as life should be. Would you consider adding this one to your other offering for Springsations Gallery Padlet (https://padlet.com/cvarsalona/springsations-gallery-of-artistic-expressions-vol-2-for-npm–kf5c2nia2mez8d1n)?
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Carol, is that lake where you live? Gorgeous! The haiku is perfect for the photo.
Yes, receipt of work should be acknowledged. I agree with you about that. Almost everything I submit on Submittable sends a receipt acknowledgement. I’ve found the same thing as you about previously published work–that publishers don’t even want it to have been posted on a a blog.
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Ooh.. “darkness hugs the shore” – the photo drew me in, but this line had me sneaking a seat on one of those deck chairs.
Carol, you show incredible grace and patience in the poetry publishing world! An inspiration!
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Love “The darkness hugs the shore.” so much. I like walking by a lake near me but wish it was out my window! Best wishes with all the writing stuff. It seems everyone handles it differently. And enjoy, though work, building that garage. I’m sure you’ll love it! Have a nice weekend!
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Hi Carol, I guess I’m so used to getting no response from book publishers that no acknowledgment seems normal to me. I’m thrilled when I hear from an editor, “Thanks, I look forward to reading this.” Or whatever. As you said, so much grace has to be extended to volunteers! Glad you’re getting a better system perhaps in place!
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Your haiku and photo is lovely. I do like knowing something was received, but I often just write it off after the stated deadline passes. Submissions–poetry or picture books or novels–are tough. So many no’s or no answers.
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Your poem would be an excellent entry into a chapter of something longer. I love how it’s an invitation to that darkness hugging the shore. I’ve been a volunteer for many things. It can be exhausting and one can feel unappreciated. Your good sense will help the situation.
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The pairing of that photo + your haiku = perfect. 🙂
Re. submissions: I think it’s tricky. Some publications receive so many pieces that they can acknowledge only acceptances, especially if one person is at the helm. However, as Susan said, a system like Submittable is so nice because a receipt is at the ready no matter what. Sounds like you had a worthwhile and fruitful conversation that will benefit the whole group!
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