Poetry Contests,

Why on earth would a poet want
to win a poetry contest?

The only possible explanation
within the bounds of human reason
would be that the poet is in such dire
financial straits that they have to jump and dance
like a trained dog before the masters
of the table: maybe a chicken bone will fall
and the poet will drop to their knees and eat it.

Another, less dignified explanation is that
the poet needs to be told they are good:
this is the case of poets who didn't receive
enough love as children and now go around
begging for a pat on the back.

Another explanation: they like one of the judges
and want to impress her, when the most
probability is that they will lose her forever.

Yet another: tired of being the useless ones in the family
they want to show Grandma Porota
that they also deserve a share of the inheritance. Another reason: they owe a lot of money to the local dealer and don't want to end their days like La Traviata, and that's reason enough to grovel at the Master's table.
Another reason: we can't think of one. Maybe they want to ride the train for free. Which, in any case, isn't going to happen.