This morning I’m spending a bit of time (while my husband grocery shops with babe) judging a poetry contest for the North Carolina Poetry Society.

What a beautiful reminder of a few things:

1. Hoards of people are still writing poetry in this manic, automated, attention-hungry time.

2. Finding ways for your art to both hold and transcend your autobiography is a magical needle-threading act. It’s really hard to accomplish, but when you see it, you know.

3. The role of “judge” is an honor I hold with humility and pride and looseness. Having been on the other side so very much, I have to state the obvious: your poems not passing through the gates of one judge isn’t a statement against your work. Keep writing. Keep submitting.

Okay, back to work!