Tag: Many Nos

Submitted by: Rick Iekel

From an early age of seven and for the rest of her life, my mother penned fascinating lyric verses. Complete with a second stamped self-addressed envelope, she submitted her efforts for publication in a variety of magazines. Like so many others, she routinely offered these creations in hope of acceptance.

          No sooner had the postal delivery man pulled away from the mailbox than Helen would climb the steps to the roadside mailbox. There might be a response from one of the publications. The presence of one or more thick, familiar-looking envelopes spelled disappointment.

Over the weeks and months, the receipt of so many rejections was taking its toll. Never one to be conquered by the process, Helen devised a plan. During Helen’s next trip to town ( She lived in the country), she looked for the perfect object and happily came home with a silver platter with a glass-covered bottom. She cleaned it up and went to work on her project.

From dozens and dozens of rejection letters, she cut phrases into small strips: “Sorry. Have a quota.”, “Not this time”. ”Too serious for us.”, etc. She spread these strips this way and that, some on an angle, some upside-down, filling the entire bottom of the platter with expressions – all saying, “NO !”. Gluing these to the bottom, she replaced the glass and held her trophy up high.

Hosting the next meeting of the village Poetry Society, Helen served refreshments on her new party tray to the delight and compliments of fellow poets.