Poem Semi-Finalist

OK...I got a letter in the mail today. A couple months ago I went to Poetry.com and submited a poem that I had wrote. Her is what the letter had said.


Dear Contessa,

After carefully reading and discussing your poem, our Selection Committee has certified you poem as a semi-finalist in our International Open Poetry Contest. Your poem will automatically be entered into the final competition held in July 2006. As a semi-finalist, you now have an excellent chance of winning one of the 104 cash and gift prizes--Including the $1,000.00 Grand Prize. You nay even win the $10,000.00 Annual Grand Prize! We wish you the best of luck as you compete for these prizes in the coming weeks (a list of prizes is encolsed)

And thats not all......


Contessa....Imagine Your Poem Featured on a Page by itself in a Beautiful Coffee-Table Edition!

In celebration of the unique talent that you have displayed, we also wish to publish your poem in its own page in what promises to be one of the most highly regarded collections of poetry we have ever published....

Immortal Verses

Immortal verses, scheduled for publication in Fall 2006, will be a classic, coffee-table quality hardbound volume--printed in two colors on fine-milled paper specifically selected to last for generations. It will make a handsome addition to any library, a treasured family keepsake, or a highly valued personal gift.

No Obligation Whatsoever

Before going any further, Contessa, let me make one thing clear...Your poem was selected for publication, and as a contest semi-finalist, on the basis of your unique talent and artistic vision, In the regard, you are under no obligation whatsoever to submit any entry fee, any subsidy payment, or to make any purchases of any kind. Of course, many people do wish to acquire a book that features their poetic artistry. If this is the case, we welcome your order--and guarantee your satisfaction. Please see the enclosed material for special discount infomration if you would like to order or reserve a copy of Immortal Verses, with a small deposit.

So What Happens Now?

As I mentioned, your poem has automatically been advanced to the final competition--so you fo not need to take further action on the contest at this time. However, regarding the publication of your poetry, you must proofread your poem, which appears on the enclosed Artist's Proff. Please carefully review for typographical errors and make any necessary changes. The Artists Proff also verifies that ""is you original work of art. And Contessa, let me assure you, your poem remains your prperty--Immortal Verses is copyrighted as a complilation. The copyright notice is in your name. This means that you retain the copyright to your own work of art.

Tou must also decide if you would like to have some personal information about yourself and you poetry included in this elegant edition. You are welcome to include you motications, the meaning poetry has in your life, the story behind your poem, or your personal philosophical point of view. Your biography will be printed on a page by itself, directly across from your poem--you will have two full pages in the book devoted exclusively to you and your artistry. And although we much not charge a nominal typesetting fee for this service, you are under no obligation to include this information. Your poem can be published without it if you wish. Please see the enclosed Artist Profile for further information.

In the meantime, our design department has already begun working on the distinctive layout for the page that will be devoted to your poem. But remember, you must complete the enclosed Artists Proof and return ir to use as soon as possible. And, if you wish to order and reserve a copy of Immortal Verses at a special pre-publication discount, please return the enclosed Pre-publication Discount Reservation.

Again, Congradulations, Contessa. We feel you have special talent and look forward to the publication of your poem in Immortal Verses.

Sincerly

Howard Ely

Managing Editor

P.S. Contessa, you should be genuinley proud of your accomplishment. Of the thousands of poems we read year, only a fraction can be published. We are pleased that "" will be featured on a page by itself in this classic publication. And, if you order Immortal Verses, we are so confident that you will love both the quality and the edition and the way your poem is presented, we can proudly offer an unconditional maney-back guarantee. If for any reason you are dissatisfied, your money will be promptly refunded.

P.P.S As a poet chosen for publication, you will also be eligiable to attend The Internationla Society of Poets Summer Convention and Symposium, to be held at the legendary Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, July 20-23, 2006. Keep the date, a formal invitation will be sent to you soon.

Well that is the letter if you were wondering about how a couple times there was a "" that is because I dont have a title for my poem yet. It is still to be named. Now Im guessing you all would like to read the poem...

My mistakes never cease to rot my heart

Theres nothing left in this world

It becomes so familiar to be torn apart

The agony has taken over

I'm slipping, but theres no one to break my fall.

You use to be my everything

But now I've lost it all

My bleeding heart is set on fire

Darkness, my hatred

Yet love and desire

I let myself trust in

The betrayals setting in.

That is my poem that has made it to the semi finalist of this contest. I didnt even think it would make it that far. Here are the list of prizes:

First Prize of $1,000.00,

24 Second Prizes of Limited Edition solid Silver medals (retail value $50.00)

79 third Third Prizes of limited Edition broze medals(retail value$25.00)

An annual Grand Prize of $10,000.00 in cash is also awarded each year.

Eligibilty: This contest is open to all poets wheter published or not, and regardless of expericance. Current and former employees of poetry.co, the International Library of Poetry, or the International Society of Poets, and their relitives are not eligible. All poems must be 24 lines or fewer. Only one entry per contest. We cannot return entries.

Decisions: Judges are members of the International Library of Poetry Selection Commettee. Entries are judged on the basis of originality, creativity, imagination, characterization, artistic quality, and the adherence to line limits. All judges decisions are final.

Yea, So I will keep you all updated on what goes on. It says all winners will be notified my mail, So I guess I just have to wait and see.