Dear Teen Ink,
It's been three years
Since I decided
That spilling ink
Would be a better
Way to express
Myself
Than holding in
A world of
Feelings and confusion.
Teen Ink,
You don't agree.
Every article that I've
Submitted has been
Cruelly rejected,
Shattering my hope
With each and every
“Website” publication.
I've immortalized my
Fears and desires,
Taking care to make
Sure that my writing
Would be as relatable
As possible, while
Holding true to the
Mystery that is
Poetry.
Teen Ink,
What do you want from me?
If there is a secret,
Please enlighten me.
I'm an AP/Honors student
Taking classes
A year above my grade.
However, getting published
In your magazine
Is about as hard as
Scoring a
2400 on the
SATs.

Editor's response: We receive many more submissions in the poetry category than we can print – sometimes hundreds in a day! Your best bet to be published is to pick an unusual topic, then use concrete and vivid language to get your point across. We love specificity, strong verbs, and thoughtful, unusual imagery.