TEMPTATION

There they go again, tempting me to win a poetry prize !
Yes, I have gotten many 2ds and 3ds, but a 1st would be so nice.
Nearing one hundred I am so very lucky to still think straight
but to tempt fate with such ambition is rather foolish, I am afraid.

My bookcase overflows with verses I wrote over so many years-
to expose myself to learned judges and lose is one of my fears.
To even try at this advanced age could be called tempting fate,
but, then again, human instinct prevails-it is never too late !

As long as the ending rhymes, certainly I am entitled to a chance,
I would even be willing to celebrate with a shaky victory dance.
Having been Secretary of the Writer's Club should give me an "in",
certainly to dream and hope for the impossible is no great sin.

So, there you are: after sleepless nights and much cogitating,
here is my contribution for 2011, a loss would be ever so devastating !
Dear Judges, please, close one eye and consider my fervent plea:
to consider this work with a touch of human kindness, I beg of thee !