I had been writing poetry for a couple of months so I showed them to a few friends. One advised me to send them in to a few magazines for publication. I prepared the customary two copies with my name and address on each, copyright information neatly typed at the bottom. The standard self addressed return envelope expensively stamped completed the package. Most were returned, some with "Sorry, we can't use this material at this time”, a few were unopened with only a RETURN stamp on the back. A few answered with a nice note praising the work and encouraging me not to give up.

My main purpose, as stated in my cover letter, was to write meaningful poetry for the masses, unadorned with words they had to look up, relating to the lives of average people. One editor, who shall remain nameless, answered in a cool manner, ridiculing my work. He commented that their magazine catered to the educated type person and furthermore, he would not consider including such common doggerel in his magazine. Also, it was their policy not to accept unsolicited offerings. His attitude prompted me to write the following reply:

Editors with their well read tomes Deny the masses their funny poems; Subtle metaphors three times removed Is the only verse that gets approved. Why should I bother to rack my brain with Emotions like grieving and terrible anguish? To relive my life in poetry helps me unwind. I have plenty of feelings of the every day kind. I'll try to resist, though it may be too hard Not to descend to the depths of a studio card.

Kenneth Hoffman