Rejection is a normal part of submitting work for publication. Far from being a negative, I view each rejection as a step in improving my writing.
The following poem was ultimately rejected from being published in orangepeel magazine’s sixth issue ‘In Conversation’, despite reaching the later stages of review. This is the first time a poem of mine has progressed that far in the process – at least to my knowledge.
I’m grateful to the editors for their kind feedback and encouragement to submit to them again in the future.
For the poem ‘Arrival in the Old Country’, I followed the magazine’s prompt to write a poem about my favourite scene in my favourite movie. Despite finding it challenging to home in on a film, I opted for Tom Ripley’s journey to Mongibello in the 1999 film ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’, a film that is never far from my thoughts.
Arrival in the Old Country
My body echoes Rubber In motion Over stone. Pink buildings Above my view Part To the country. A coast Road ripples Along azure blue New to Mine eyes. An isola Calmly rising Passes by. Lemon tree scent Zests the air Like sun Bright And Clear. Arriving at the Water’s Edge, Where it Laps at sentinel Lamps. Changed already From the city An ocean away. Excite me with The question . . . Who am I to become?