Poetry contest scams. What can I do if I may have fallen prey to one?

[dr_smith789]

A number of years ago, I wrote a poem for a class assignment, and read it aloud in class the next day. It was a love letter, and it moved some of the girls in the class so much, one even showed me her goosebumps. Now not only did I like it, but i had proof that others liked it. Its the best, poetry or prose, i've ever written. Unfortunetely several years ago I submitted it to a poetry contest without thinking. It turns out it was probably a scam. They offered to publish my poem, but i'd have to buy their book. What's worse I never took the legel steps necessary to prove my copyright of the poem. All I can rely on is the witnesses who heard me read it in class, some 10 years ago... and i've lost touch with most of them. Can I still have this poem published, or might I run the risk of someone claiming it as their own, because they sensed my naievty by submitting it to the contest in the first place and stole my work?

If i took it to a legitimate publisher, could they assume
the risk and liability, by researching to see if it has ever been published before under another name? It would suck to be hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit for my own work!
oh by the way, I never let the poetry contest people publish it; Once i got their acceptance letter I realized it was a scam and never sent them money for the book i "had" to buy.... so at least it wasn't published as part of their contest deal.... at least that i know of....


FYI: The contest was Poetry Guild.... or something like that....