Dear Vocal,
It's thirteen hours
before the deadline.
It's doubtful a win,
but it would be sublime.
Entering your challenges
with the greatest of hopes.
Afterward deflated and thought,
it was all a joke.
Trying again and again,
I hit the keystrokes.
Concluding, like a cartoon,
that's all folks.
My stories and poems
were ignored.
It sucked
that there wasn't a big WIN reward.
With each challenge,
hope was restored.
Sending me back
to the drawing board.
It's our second anniversary.
I didn't forget.
Was it your cruel hoax
to send a stale Baguette?
Mac and cheese
I didn't receive
Vocal you are such a tease.
Peanuts, no half pennies
for each read.
I can't even afford to eat at Denny's.
Is this going to be
my swan song?
We have to wait and see.
Where did I go wrong?
I asked of thee.
Now, I've come to an end.
It's time to flee
a ball game to attend.
You see.
Farewell.
Take care of yourself and others.
Best wishes,
Babs, a Vocal creator
About the Creator
Babs Iverson
Barbara J Iversen, also known as Babs Iverson, lives in Texas and loves her grandkids to the moon and back. After writing one story, she found that writing has many benefits especially during a pandemic and a Texas-size Arctic Blast.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Keep reading
More stories from Babs Iverson and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (23)
yep. true.
You have captured it well!
Absolutely what we all feel
Thank you for writing this, now I won’t have too. 😉good job.
This is so relatable 🤣.. I like the challenges though, because they force me to think outside of my comfort zone
The vast majority of us on this site can absolutely relate with this. Hope. Deflate. Hope Deflate. Repeat, ad infinitum.
I read the subject line and said "Oh, boy." It did not disappoint 😎
So relatable! 🥲 Thank you so much for expressing in words the bittersweetness of it all! ❤️ Amazing work!
Well said. Maybe this is the one.
We all paddle the same creek Babs, keep on keeping on, I enjoy your writing 😊
It’s wonderful Babs
Don't bother with Vocal. I don't care what they say because in my eyes, your writing is excellent and every one of them are winners!
Yes! For sure, it's not just you. It is me too! I try to send one for each challenge thinking that I am not winning but what if I didn't submit and that would have been the one? I have never guessed the top stories I have received and it was not alot. I think I have gotten somewhat better at writing but maybe not. I am definitely not as nice as you Babs, time to sign off. Before I scoff!
Feel ya, babs! You aren't the only one with raised eyebrows around here!
Well you won't have any competition from me, good one
You tell 'em. Great poem, my friend.
Babs, on top of writing great stories and poems, I think you're the kindest contributor on Vocal. Always an uplifting, supportive word for everyone. Thank you for being such a bright light. 💜
Good one, Babs. Now I’m curious. You mentioned Mac and cheese. Are you talking about the one challenge a year or so ago where you would receive 3 boxes of Mac n cheese for doing something. I forget what the qualifications were. Anyway, enjoy the game.
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Aww, I would give you more than peanuts, Babs. I always enjoy reading your work! 💖
Nice one 💖💯
Don't give up hope Babs! It's lovely to read your work :)
❤️🥲
Well done, Babs! "Relatable" doesn't quite say it.