Poetry Month #20: Ballad of the Ballots
- Clara Harney
- Apr 20, 2020
- 1 min read
Competing in speech and debate has really helped me learn to better take criticism with grace, and improve my own performance. I'm sure a lot of people, not limited to fellow competitors, can relate to this one.
Ballad of the Ballots Day #20
While first she read this one she nearly cried
It pushed frustration brimming over every side
She kept it anyways, a long time sore
Critiques that she could not ignore
That other one she felt an urge to frame
Such lavish compliments ascribing to her name
She thought of it at times to boost her drive
And at another peak arrive
So influential were these hasty thoughts
Both ballots different words and actions taught
But of the two, the harsher pushed her best
And challenged her to earn the rest
This poem reminded me of the times that I was a community judge for the tournaments and I knew that my comments needed to be worded in a way that would be constructive, not hurtful; encouraging, not flattering. Great job expressing yourself as always :)