Moved by your post, and glad I've chosen my own path and my own choice of poets who stir my spirit and invite me in—some overlap, I suppose, but there have been so many less-visible and gorgeous works I've discovered since having the time to do so. Long gone is the childhood fantasy of fame, and long gone is the fantasy of being known to, or remembered by, more than a few. The external pressure seems to increase—more MFAs and collection-published poets in bios than I've ever seen—but I hold tightly to writing, to poetry, as foundational to the meaning my life has for me….and maybe for the few who have been touched by something I've written.
Thank you for this post. I spent so many years writing and dreaming how everything would change once my novel was published. But all this time I was writing poetry and my poems would occasionally make their way into the world and my family and friends would be touched by something I wrote. I finally became what I always was. A poet. I’m 60 and my first book will be published next year by a lovely small press and I’m thrilled. I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m not going to be famous or rich but some folks may read my poems and maybe something I’ve written will touch them or make them laugh or recognize themselves, just as I come to know myself through other poets and their poems. Community and connection.
Moved by your post, and glad I've chosen my own path and my own choice of poets who stir my spirit and invite me in—some overlap, I suppose, but there have been so many less-visible and gorgeous works I've discovered since having the time to do so. Long gone is the childhood fantasy of fame, and long gone is the fantasy of being known to, or remembered by, more than a few. The external pressure seems to increase—more MFAs and collection-published poets in bios than I've ever seen—but I hold tightly to writing, to poetry, as foundational to the meaning my life has for me….and maybe for the few who have been touched by something I've written.
Thank you for this post. I spent so many years writing and dreaming how everything would change once my novel was published. But all this time I was writing poetry and my poems would occasionally make their way into the world and my family and friends would be touched by something I wrote. I finally became what I always was. A poet. I’m 60 and my first book will be published next year by a lovely small press and I’m thrilled. I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m not going to be famous or rich but some folks may read my poems and maybe something I’ve written will touch them or make them laugh or recognize themselves, just as I come to know myself through other poets and their poems. Community and connection.
Well done John, this really sums up what I've been feeling for years. It's not an easy view to share without seeming bitter; but you did it well!