I don’t mind rejection letters– they’re part of the game as a writer. But this one, received from an online publication that’s had a stack of poems since March, irritated me some.

To: ross@—-.—
From: editors@——.—
Subject: RE: Ross White submission

William,

Thanks for sharing your poems with name removed. We’re sorry to report that they’re not quite right for us. Best of luck placing them elsewhere.

Sincerely,
The Editors

Below was the text of my original message, which included a signature and a short bio, each of which also had my name.

William? WTF?

My less-than-firm resolution to blog at least a little every day hasn’t held up, but my poem-a-day grind, begun on October 1, is still going strong. Recently, I’ve been noodling with James Tate-esque mini-narratives, and will probably continue that at least for a little while, except on days when I’m really pressed for time. Unsurprisingly, the first involved animal-people.

For those keeping score at home:
Nov 1 - Flu Shot
Nov 2 - Idiot Plot
Nov 3 - A History of Deaths in the Colony, Complete to 1656
Nov 4 - Daylight Savings Time
Nov 5 - Birds in the Colony
Nov 6 - People Skills
Nov 7 - Endodontics