I only know that all governments are
fucking corrupt and their flags are stained
with blood
because I have seen the sun
glinting off monuments where
vast empires are built on foundations of
vanquished bonedust
I have walked those flowered fields
of death
and I have seen statues of their great dictators
lying broken like eggshells on the floor
the bronze bloodless hearts of politicians
ripped out of their hollow
diamonded chests
painted effigies fade to dull chasms
choking in short sharp gasps
as monarchies dissolve in entropy
turning into ephemeral dust
-
Were I the Big Editor in the Sky, I'd be accepting this one in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteRay, you're too fine a writer to be worrying about the bad manners of all those insouciant dickhead fools who do not honour your earnest offerings with the courtesy of a reply.
Those or these are the times, partner. To be disrespected by idiots, in such times, should be taken as a badge of brave endeavour.
Personally, I've given up on pseudo-editors forever. I am my own sole editor now. Lonely... but maybe just a wee bit less humiliating.
Keep writing, keep your dignity, and fuck 'em all.
That's the attitude, old bean. For the record, there are some editors who have, of course, been absolutely wonderful to me over the last 20 years. And some really good magazines, whether they accepted my work or not.
ReplyDeleteIt just seems to be a more recent policy - this not responding at all to subs or even enquiries. It's not that it hurts my feelings, it's because it's very inconvenient and time-wasting. Makes my blood boil.
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Tom. It always means a lot.
I believe in the power of this poem and in your fortitude to strike a pick in the ground and keep working until the pebbles turn to dust; and we will all see what lays before us once the dust clears. Thanks for stopping by my blog and thanks for the picture. She's a real beauty. I will check in when I can and encourage you to do the same.
ReplyDeletePS - After my own disgust with editors that don't respond, I started my own poetry journal - thebatshat.us - and I try to be civil and respectful as I think we owe anyone that submits something they feel is of merit. Even if it's not right for our issue at hand, I respond. Feel free to submit anytime. I also open it up to some guest editors on occasion. Check out one of our featured U.S. writers, Zachary Scott Hamilton. He's a wild one, I think you'd like his style...
Thanks, Enri.
ReplyDeleteI took a look at Tha Bat Shat. There really is some quality work in there. So many writers out there who should be getting heard. I've bookmarked the site, thank you.