International Society Of Poets ripoff Owings Mills Maryland

This is my first time using this site.

Let me tell you the International Society of Poets is a HUGE ripoff, scam, whatever you want to call it. They're like Wal Mart: bad for America.

No matter what poem you send in, you will get a letter back that says it's the best poem they've ever read. And then more mail comes in. Of course they want your money, for: publishing your poem in a book; for attending the seminar where ever it is (and get this, you have to pay for any award you "WIN" and this includes a $200-plus trophy); and, I believe, somehow you pay for privilege of getting up and reading your poem to everyone there. PAY PAY PAY

Here is the "poem" I submitted and I'm telling you it's a piece of crap. I went to their web site and wrote it in about 2 minutes and was laughing the entire time because it makes no sense but, by golly, it's the best poem they ever heard.

"Tree Shadows.
The cool shade of summer is but a lie
as the shadows of trees fool us;
Our hearts forbid us the tears of loneliness
when the shadows of trees rip us apart;
I wake in the desert where there are no trees,
no shrubs, nothing but the sun's fury--
the cool shade of summer is, indeed, a lie.
I love you, but your love for me seems unreal;
like the shadows of trees is it but a cover;
When you left me, you took away the sun;
you left me no shade; it is but a lie
But I love you, my Tree Shadow.

Christopher"

My step-daughter was an atrocious speller. I read the letter she got back from ISP and their reply contained all the spelling errors she submitted but, by golly, it was the best poem they ever read.

In fact, three members of my family, for fun, put poems on their website. We all got those "best poem..." letters back.

sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

DO NOT SEND ISP ANY MONEY WHATSOEVER. THEY PROVIDE NO SERVICE. THEY DO HOWEVER GIVE POOR UNSUSPECTING SOULS A SENSE OF HOPE THAT IS BASED ON GREED. AND GREED ONLY.

Christopher
Fessenden, North Dakota
U.S.A.