Economies of Poetry
I would probably cry if I had to
Resort to writing greeting cards
For money. There might be a more
Cruel fate than voicing other people’s
Heartfelt sentiments, perhaps if you
Were ripped to shreds by rabid jaguars,
But then, for $300, it might be worth
Throwing caution to the wind
And stringing together some old
Cliches from the past, just to make
A bit of money for groceries.
It’s sad, a person can not
Make money writing poetry, unless
They write some kind of breakthrough
Advertisements or gloopy bereavement
Letters for a limited market.
Whatever happened to the days
Of yore when a poet could make
Drinking money writing ballads
For troubadours traveling the land,
But now, the only recourse is to write
Songs for Britney Spears and hope
Her daddy pays you well for your
Stupid words about what a loser
You are for dumping me.
It might be better just to
Get a job flipping burgers
At the grease pit.
