My Inbox
We’re past the time of
Return receipt requested
From slush pile to inbox
Right to spam.
I’ve initially been reviewed
While my submission’s been received
I should expect to hear back or
Not at all.
If they’re interested,
They’ll let me know
In other words, don’t call us,
We’ll call you.
Phone interview screenings
Lead to real in person views
Let’s play 20 Questions before
Mock lessons.
Like what we’ve read, so
We’re requesting pages
A partial, a full, a
Rejection.
The position’s been filled
Form rejection’s been sent,
Expiration date’s passed
Like bad milk.
Crafted resume, cover,
Query, synopsis, pages
It’s all the same in the end
No, thank you.
I collect interview requests
Like business cards,
Third time’s the charm
Job offer.
As they like to say,
it just takes on yes
Maybe’s an agent’s next...
One more try.
Such an ethereal job hunter , seeking something permanent
ReplyDeleteI've been a job hunter too many times. I hope I don't have too much of that in my future!
DeleteAh, the anticipation! Also a kind of thing with feathers.
ReplyDeleteYes, always good to have hope.
DeleteI hate bad milk! What a pure image, as was every line you wrote. We shall be happy always for another try! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of self doubt for writers. Hard to keep at it sometimes, right?
DeleteYou'll never get that yes if you stop trying. Just have to tough out all the rejection in between.
ReplyDeleteAlex, that's what I keep telling myself.
DeleteWill it ever work.. like how you mingled in all those terrible pollyannaish quotes.. but I guess you should never give up....
ReplyDeleteHm... I don't know how to take your comment here... brudberg.
DeleteHi Theresa - yes keep on trying ... and think of all those that failed early ... Walt Disney for one, Sidney Poitier for two ... we will find our own niche and succeed in our world. Wonderfully descriptive of the process ... and move on - the horizon is just ahead ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary, thanks for the cheerful words. :)
Delete"Keep swimming, keep swimming" :-)
ReplyDeleteKeep swimming with me, Deniz.
DeleteCan I just say this one drudged up bad memories? Rites of passage, right?
ReplyDeleteSorry to drudge up bad memories, Crystal.
DeleteLOL! No worries. Like I said, rites of passage. We can't get to the joy of success without the sorrow of failure.
DeleteThat made me think of my academic job search; they should write, "Don't call us; we'll call you" on their job ads, though what often happens to me is that I get e-mailed rejections instead. It's good that you're trying, though; that takes a lot of courage and perseverance.
ReplyDeleteNeurotic Workaholic, I'm glad you got past the PhD and the academic search.
DeleteWhat a delightful and refreshing read, thanks and warm greetings!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Blogoratti.
DeleteLove this, T. I am growing tired of them, though. The rejections have almost taken all the air I have left to breathe. *sigh* But your poetry makes me realize we're in this together. If I can hold out. xo
ReplyDeleteRobyn, it's hard not to feel beaten down by rejection. Yes, we're in this together!
DeleteI remember the days of snail mail. How things have changed. Now I can read acceptances and rejections as soon as possible on my phone. I also get a lot of silence since many don't even send rejections anymore.
ReplyDeleteI know, Medeia, many don't send rejections these days. And agents many have moved to query-only. And yet other agents have closed to unsolicited submissions.
DeleteI remember the snail mail days, too, ladies. I also agree that doors seem to be closing to unsolicited manuscripts. Your poem, Theresa, is a thought-provoking one indeed. Thanks for sharing it with your readers. I hope you teaching gig is going well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victoria. The teaching gig is going well... or not going well. All depends on the day! But mostly well.
DeleteI could feel your frustration, T! For me I would rather get a quick no thanks form letter or just a great big NO email response. But no response is just like leaving you hanging...forever. :(
ReplyDeleteI hate hanging too, Sharon. All of us unpublished writers are in the same boat.
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