Today, the love of my life received wonderful news, which paves the road to our future, and I received great news regarding my poetry. A month ago, I entered the Summer Literary Seminars (SLS) 2010 Unified Literary contest. The winners are published in Fence Magazine along with the participating Canada and Kenya journals plus a free trip and tuition to participate in the 2010 SLS Montreal and/or SLS Kenya programs, or Vilnius, Lithuania in 2011.
A few days ago, I received notice of the contestant winners, but I was not one of them. Then today I received an email stating, “Our judges were strongly impressed with the work you submitted, and we are pleased to offer you an SLS fellowship, in the amount of a 20% tuition waiver.” The email also explained the number of submissions, 1200 and additional information regarding each program, although it was that line that stopped and made me cry. I felt such joy to read those words, to know someone believes in me and my works. The fact I didn’t win the contest didn’t matter after knowing my poems were held in high esteem.
I’m not saying I wouldn’t have wanted to win, but I’m filled with gratitude for such wonderful words, offer and an opportunity to allow my writings to flourish.
A few days ago, I received notice of the contestant winners, but I was not one of them. Then today I received an email stating, “Our judges were strongly impressed with the work you submitted, and we are pleased to offer you an SLS fellowship, in the amount of a 20% tuition waiver.” The email also explained the number of submissions, 1200 and additional information regarding each program, although it was that line that stopped and made me cry. I felt such joy to read those words, to know someone believes in me and my works. The fact I didn’t win the contest didn’t matter after knowing my poems were held in high esteem.
I’m not saying I wouldn’t have wanted to win, but I’m filled with gratitude for such wonderful words, offer and an opportunity to allow my writings to flourish.
