And the Winner Is . . . (drum roll) : Carly Sachs!

Last week, we announced a contest to see who could come up with the best pantoum or villanelle based on the lines one might hear while on hold with an insurance company. Details are here. Contestants had only four days to respond.  The results are now in.  Contest judge Laura Orem picked Carly Sachs' "You Are No Longer in a Relationship" from among the many strong entries. The judging was blind. Laura had only the poem and its title. Congratulations Carly and thank you Laura.  I'll post a few of the other contenders later in the week.    -- sdh

You Are No Longer In a Relationship

The un-brave Facebook status message holiday-time, New York:
sometimes I wonder why I’m not married.
Skaters in Bryant Park, hand in hand,
what we dare to touch, publish---

sometimes I wonder why I’m not married
Thirty-three people like this.
What we dare to touch, publish,
David writes: All of our representatives are assisting other callers at this time.

Thirty-three people like this.
The truth is we are all listening to the recording wanting to believe that
all the representatives are assisting other callers at this time,
that we will not be forgotten, not loved

so we keep listening to the recording:
Your call is important to us,
elevator music song: you will not be forgotten, not loved
because you have 864 friends who tag you in photos implying

your call (you) (your online persona) is important to us.
Your dark house empty embraces you alone, again.
Think positive! You have 864 friends imploring
generic birthday wishes, starting mafia wars, suggesting that you "friend"  

your dark house embraces you alone, again
please stay on the line and your call will be handled in the order it was received.
Meanwhile: more generic birthday wishes, mafia wars, friend requests.
Clear status. Put on party dress. Upload new profile pic.

Please stay on the line and your call will be answered in the order it was received.
Skaters in Bryant Park, hand in hand.
Clear status, put on party dress, upload new profile pic.
The brave status message: I love holiday time New York!