The Poetry Eye-Roll

Actually, the ever-observant Aphasic is on to something. I "stopped" at your wording myself, thinking that it was a weenie way to ask for time:

"I got invited to be on a planning committee for a poetry festival."

Aphasic's suggestions are good in terms of "playing the game," kind of going along with the eyeball roll whilst pushing your own agenda forward. Here are others:

"I've been asked to sit on the board of an arts committee."

"I've been asked to participate on the planning committee for a state poetry event."

"I'm participating in the planning of a statewide arts event focused on writing."

It's all in the wording. While I know what you wrote might not be exactly what you said, what you wrote suggests that you approached them with a bit of...i dunno. An inferiority complex? Poetic embarassment? Less confidence than I'd like to see?

Am I reading too much into this? Maybe. But, I think these are all good things for us to share as we further the poetic cause. How a poet presents him or herself counts more, I think, than writers of other genres because there's a whole lot more shite to get through to reach people's hearts and brains. (Don't dwell on that image for too long ~ shudder.)

----- Sometimes, ya gotta approach me like the postman does and ring twice.