Qualify--By Richard Sponaugle--United States

Qualify

A poetry editor was my friend.

I asked how

he could reject all 12 of my poems.

He said his interest was quality,

not quantity.

I replied, “there’s strength in numbers.”

He said, “Margaret Mitchell wrote trash

except for Gone with the Wind.”

But that book made her

a literary immortal.

I pointed out that

she had mental problems

and died young.

He asked, “What’s that got to do

with your poems?”

I had no good reply,

but got the last laugh.

Our confrontation

led to a published poem.

Richard Sponaugle was born 4-20-60 in Maryland and raised in Northern Virginia.  He received a BA from George Mason University.  A prolific poet and songwriter, he has been published in many venues.