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Experience the thrills of the Weekly Poems Contest.
--
January 15th, 2026
NYC Poetry Contest #5 – First Place
by John Grey
He's standing over there.
Should I ask him for an autograph?
But I have no paper, no pen.
And, anyway,
what exactly would it do for me
to have a scribbled name
of someone famous
in my possession.
It won't make me
a better person.
Nor will it help much
in trying to impress others.
The world's response could be,
I never did like the guy
Or, You could have just
written that yourself.
Worse than that,
what if my reproach
brought out the worst in him,
was swept aside by an angry,
Get lost.
In fact, he may not even
be the one I think he is.
He could respond with,
Why would you want
the autograph of an insurance clerk?
My problem is
this constant panic, conundrum,
dilemma, life-changing moment
of should I? or shouldn't I?
Famous people have it easy
compared to the likes of me.
About the Poet
John Grey resides in Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States.
Read the poet's biography and Wax Poetry and Art publications
on John Grey's Artist Page.
This poem is also featured in Poetry World #14, published in the Wax Poetry and Art Library.
Keywords: brush with celebrity, awkward moments
Previously published in NYC Poetry Magazine:
Manhattan, November 15
by Ben Shaberman
NYC Poetry Magazine is part of the Wax Poetry and Art Network.
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