Trophy Writes

Kurt Philip Behm

Poetry contests ...

skew the way

hoping

 for a win

 

Ink

that never  

truly dries

lost within the din

 

Words not felt

but chosen

to stay

forever cold

 

Spiraling

to depths unknown

in darkness

— bought and sold

 

(Dreamsleep: September, 2026)

 

 

 

Comments +

Comments5

  • sorenbarrett

    I have read some that seemed on the surface fine but lack soul. Never enter them and as such am relegated to level three on All poetry. A great write that strikes right at the heart of many sites. People parading with medals on their paper vests. Good one Kurt and another fave

    • Kurt Philip Behm

      Thanks. I've been on All Poetry forever. What is level 3?

      • sorenbarrett

        You are welcome Kurt leve three is known as Topaz horse each level has certain requirements such as belonging to groups, entering contests and so forth. Listed in the box with how many followers how many daily picks how many comments

        • Kurt Philip Behm

          Thanks, I never knew that. I must be level 0.

          • sorenbarrett

            I am sure not but as far as I know you can't get past level 3 without entering contests and joining groups which I have not done. I ask myself what I would have to go through to get up to levels in the 70's and I think I saw someone that was that.

            • Kurt Philip Behm

              Thanks. I'm not interested in poetry 'qualification' of any kind. What's meant to be free expression gets bartered and sold. That's why I started my own website 10 years ago.

              • sorenbarrett

                Good for you I feel the same way

              • Tristan Robert Lange

                What a cutting piece, Kurt. You expose how chasing literary recognition can turn creation into performance and language into merchandise...leaving technically chosen words with nothing human burning inside them. Excellent write, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛

                • Kurt Philip Behm

                  Thanks, I've never entered one but constantly get invited.

                • Syd

                  I can relate to this piece. I haven't been on All Poetry for quite a while. I'm no longer a paid member.

                  I think I managed level 15. Won a few, lost a lot.

                  Nicely written - Syd 🍄

                • Cheeky Missy

                  Having earned trophies my mother displayed too many decades ago, I lost my appetite for such items, and applause was more interesting than worthwhile, praise not really effective. This is a charming portrait of reality beautifully rendered with a poignancy whose chilling note is aptly expressed. Thank you for sharing. I never could like allpoetry.com very much for all the regulations and lack of I dunno, community? Anyway. Thank you for sharing.

                • Kurt Philip Behm

                  Appreciated, thanks.



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