Need some help, since I usually don't enter these things, and the rules seem vague. Here's my poem:
Aubadergine
Awakening, I still can taste your flesh,
the soul contained within the supple
skin you wear, voluptuous and purple.
I have been warned you are the path to madness
and yet, despite the crumbs and salt that kiss
and linger on my lips, there is no brutal
morning-after sting; but just the sweet and subtle
whisper of a roasted scrap, a speck of crust;
a bitter lemon and the scent of thyme;
the rapture of the olive grove, and you as mine.
The problem is that - while it's never been entered in the Oldie comp - it's been published. In my last book, and also in Lucid Rhythms, back in 2008. I assumed this disqualified it, but when I checked what instructions I could find, there didn't seen to be any mention (or I didn't notice it) of past publication. Can somebody clarify the rules for me? Thanks.
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