plugging along

years of every day work

still waiting for the overnight success

i’d come to believe in the value

of what i create if only from reactions

of individual judges – sometimes only

one or two out of a panel where

the others, equally competent, ask

“What the heck is going on here?”

still, it’s like the occasional par in golf

even a few discerning my intent

is enough to bring me back again

and again

sadly, nothing

applauded for disregarding decency

to find a way to ‘succeed’

they begin to believe themselves

worthy of the success they have

achieved when what they have gained

is of no value