It's the creators who don't win or place that we should shower 'congrats' upon.

It's the creators who don't win or place that we should shower 'congrats' upon.

Because...The Ones Who Didn’t Win....

Are expected to be the cheerleaders...patting the shoulders of the victors, manning the battlefields, strengthening the walls of the castle. These creators form the backbone of a castle’s defense, ensuring that walls are secure, gates controlled and holding steadfast.

But especially ... for fortifying the coffers with their hard earned doubloons.

The Ones Who Didn’t Win

They dim the lights, cue the triumphant music,

and the winners glide across the stage

like swans who’ve never known a bad draft day.

But the un-won stand in the back row, applauding wildly,

because they know the truth behind the glitter.

So I say it the first time:

“Congrats to the ones who didn’t win.”

It sounds noble, almost heroic...

a toast raised to the underdogs

who brought snacks to the meeting that took forever to prepare,

maybe they shed a few tears for the sleepless nights and weary eyes

but they persevered, toiling hard and true

.................and still got ignored.

Then the speeches begin. The winners try to appear humble.

The un-won seethe - high fives raised in disappointment barely masked

The winners thank their mentors, their muses, themselves

their childhood which “taught them resilience.”

Meanwhile, the creators who didn’t place

are Googling “how to pretend you’re fine”

while nibbling consolation cookies. Drinking the milk of -

Dis-Appointment...choking on 'it should have been me'.

So I say it again:

“Congrats to the ones who didn’t win.”

This time it lands like an unholy wink,

a sly nudge that says...

Thank you for really seeing US...

For once you stood were we stand...

your coffers as empty as ours...But

We both know this is a participation ribbon

wrapped in poetic language.

But later—

after the crowd thins

and the trophies wobble on winner's pedestals

like they’re tired of being admired....

I find the non‑winners in the hallway,

laughing too loudly,

plotting their next hopeful masterpiece

with the reckless joy of people

who still have a lot left to prove.

And so I say it a third time:

“Congrats to the ones who didn’t win.”

Now it means something else entirely ---

a salute to the beautiful ones yet to polish their trophy...

the glorious unchosen, the creators who keep creating

because applause was never the point.

The creators who don’t win or place are the ones we should shower with “congrats.”

I hope that I sound sincere, a tad bit ironic and sharply aware of the feelings of others.

...............................

Wouldn't it be ironic and totally unfortunate, if I won a challenge with this challenge entry.

I think that I would be burnt at the stake as a witch.

Sigh!

.