I faced the judges

the line of their strength

read my poem

as best I could

my finest up 'til now I thought

the duration being of acceptable length.

 

      Silence ensued

      a row of stares.

 

I rose to leave

the room at once

my dreams and my art

in hopeless tatters.

"Shall I close the door?" I said

"Yes if you will," said one of the -----

 

"and by the way, a good strong phrase

nicely delivered !" another said.

 

As I left the room I pondered

where the art of poetry had so far wandered.