How would you feel?

Not gonna lie that's gonna hurt, but I will strive to be better next time.

As long as I like it then it's all good

When I was majoring in design I was not the best one in the class. There was this one massively talented kid who was so good that no matter what I did, I would never have been able to come close to the quality of his work. It was a hard lesson for me to learn, and a little bit of a heartbreak, that there will always be someone, somewhere who is better, faster, smarter, stronger, more talented.

AND your poetry contest winners' rich uncle probably bribed the teacher....JK!!! 🤣

I would feel like crap, for a little while. Then if being a poet well-liked in terms of current taste was my goal, I would study the winner and figure out what I needed to change. I would ask the teacher questions. I would hone my craft, a lifelong task to master anything.

If eventually I could produce a poem with the elements the
winner had I would then assess which style I like best and which voice not only resonates but is uniquely my voice and I would go on from there.

Most of all I would remember that a contest is the critique of art by a person or persons, and that many of the world's finest writers got lousy reviews.

I'd move on and realize that rejection is a part of life.

I'd feel like publishing and bragging about it. 😌

Can't win them all !
Keep at it.

As long as I did good. I rarely appreciate what I do so I'm still a winner. 😌

Its not the first time and it wouldn't be the last

I would feel like a failure... but I do suck at poetry

Poetry slam time.

It's only poetry, so idc

Like poop.

I’d fill my giant ugly flower pot with gin.