Daily writing prompt

Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.

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he signed it away
in a back alley deal—
a name, his name, gone for cash
crumpled and smelling like regret.

the guy on the other side—
a suit too tight,
teeth too white—
smirked like he was buying the whole damn world.

but the poet didn’t flinch.
he walked home nameless,
a ghost in his own skin,
and poured his soul into words.

when the poem won,
they called him Nobody,
but the crowd cheered like they’d seen a god.
he lit a cigarette,
smirked,
and knew he’d made the right trade.

“The inaugural day I participated in a poetry contest was invigorating, albeit not in the manner one might anticipate. My palms were clammy as I clicked “submit,” apprehensively aware that I was revealing a delicate aspect of my being to the public. My poem, meticulously composed during the serene hours of the night, constituted a tapestry of anxieties, aspirations, and a level of vulnerability I had previously refrained from disclosing. The contest offered no assurances, merely a platform—a venue wherein my words could either ascend to great heights or dissipate into obscurity.

The days leading up to it were marked with hesitation. Would anyone care? Was my work good enough? I had scrolled through previous winners, their names etched in accolades I longed for. But what stood out wasn’t their fame—it was the courage their poems radiated. I wanted that courage for myself. That morning, I drank my coffee slowly, as if each sip would fortify me for the leap of faith. When I finally uploaded my poem, I felt both relief and terror.

Why is it so hard to join a contest? Maybe it’s the fear of rejection, the worry that your work isn’t “good enough,” or the belief that contests are only for seasoned poets with perfect verses. But let me tell you a secret: those doubts? They’re not real. They’re the walls your mind builds to protect you from the possibility of failure, but they also block you from the thrill of success. If you’re here, reading this, it’s because something inside you knows your words matter. Joining the contest isn’t just about winning; it’s about taking a step toward embracing your creative voice, challenging yourself, and sharing your unique story with the world. It’s time to let go of the fear and take the leap—you belong here.

As the confirmation email arrived, a calmness settled over me. Winning didn’t matter in that moment; I had already achieved something monumental—I had chosen to share my voice. The contest was no longer about competing; it became a step toward becoming the poet I had always wanted to be. The day wasn’t just my first contest; it was the day I realized poetry is about connection, not perfection.”