I'll stick around, though for reasons quite independent of any contest.
I've read and written poetry for a very long time, all on my own. I've lurked in this forum and others, and yet been silent. It's William's fault I've ventured outside of that (a few words of his struck more deeply than he probably imagined they would), but having done so, I don't think I'll retreat from it, at least not very soon.
I'll admit that I feel my entry was inadequate. There were so many profound things to say about the imagery and metaphors in the poems, yet I chose one observation. (All the time feeling that more than that was more than anyone likely wanted to hear. I had so much more to say --but was it too obvious? Did anyone care? Would the mermaid sing to me, or would the peach be all mealy and disgusting?)
Anyway, whatever happens with the contest, I've identified a few of you as kindred souls, and look forward to seeing more of you.