I wrote this poem for a competition. I won’t say which one, but I was way off the mark. I was thinking about home, but perhaps I needed to write something more in the style of someone else, or talk about a sunrise on the dales. Not to worry.
At some point, I will look at the notes from my poetry editing class and look at where I am going wrong (again). When I get a minute. Or I may just turn everything into songs. Or learn the guitar.
This is my refuge
All is calm and white and open. Nothing
Is perched, ready to fall. Surfaces
Are clear and useful. Bookshelves
Empty. Words
Drip onto the page but never stick.
There are too many changes to track
too many tracks to change
and you never listen.
Dreams run on emptiness.
You held me down so long
I came out of the other side.
Now watch me fly.
(c) Rebecca Deans 2015
beckydeans 
You know, Becky, I think you should write about what you want to (or feel the need to), not what fits into the box – whether that’s the competition box or the genre box. Because if you try to write to order, the passion will wither and die. You can always build up a catalogue and then look out for competitions that fit your poetry, and not the other way round.
I actually have quite a catalogue already! But good plan.
I do find having a deadline or constraint is helpful, which is why the writers’ group is so nice. We do short exercises, a bit like Sacha Black’s sprint writing!
Have you been out of circulation or something? I’d almost forgotten making that comment.
How are you, anyway? Must catch up again some time – can’t believe it was February we saw each other last.
Long story. Isn’t it always? At this rate it will be the writers’ conference in March, though I need to do some organising to make that happen!
Well, I’ll happily listen to your long story when you get a chance. I take it from your comment that you aren’t booked on the Conference yet?
Wonderful work!!
Thank you.