On Your First Rejected Manuscript

Sitting by the door

Waiting for the ka-chunk

of the mailbox

Checking anxiously

Sifting through envelopes

Finding nothing but bills and car ads

Coupons for Denny’s

Days go by

But, finally

Eureka!

There it is

What you’ve been waiting for

You tear open the publishing house’s letter

with such zeal you cut your finger

on the envelope flap

You read the first line

“Your manuscript has been

Rejected”

But all you can see is

“You suck

Never write again”

as you let your blood drip

on the cream-colored cardstock