No Show - Again (Poetry)

‘Thank you for entering our poetry competition
sadly, we have to inform you you are not among
our winners. However, we hope you will enter
again next year ...’

He thought he’d got the words down right
they seemed to fit there fine
approaching perfect if not quite
pretentious line on line

But someone penned a better job
at least by slight regard
the rhymeless victor bound to rob
since failure’s teeth bite hard

A kinder way to lose the game
might ease the rhythm’s fall
let poets live despite the pain
and dare try write at all

Yet still they risk their cherished best
take judgement on the chin
where talent lies bards less than blessed
resigned to rarely win