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Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 1999-06-12 07:52 PM



It was just about a year ago when I felt the desire
Burn within as strongly as a desert prairie fire
To take my pen in hand and put my nimble wit for hire
And make a living as a famous poet.

Although I knew the road ahead would be extremely hard,
I had no doubt success would be my ultimate reward
And asked for wisdom from the nation's oldest living bard,
I asked, "How can I become a famous poet?"

"When you've sat alone with pen in hand", The old man answered me,
"And each passing moment feels like a small eternity
While that piece of paper glares at you, as blank as it can be,
You are on the road to be a famous poet."

"When your pencil pushes down so hard the tip begins to break
And you feel the sweat cascading from a throbbing head that aches
And erasers disappear from dumb, grammatical mistakes,
You are on the way to be a famous poet."

"When the blood from out your arm makes its way down through your pen
And mingles with the ink to form the thought you want to send,
And the you crinkle up the paper and begin to start again
You are getting close to be a famous poet."

"With food and drink forgotten you will sit with brittle lips,
As critics laugh and torture you with cute, one-liner quips,
And your walls will be re-papered by those damn rejection slips.
It's the price to pay to be a famous poet."

"And then one day the world will be a grand and glorious place,
And the sky will be aglow with radiance pouring off your face
And the sweat and tears will disappear and vanish without trace
For the time has come to be a famous poet."

"You will look down at that paper and you'll know that you've created
A masterpiece of workmanship! You'll feel so darned elated
You'll forgive the world the sin of making you feel underrated
For they're bound to recognize a famous poet."

"At the first rejection slip you'll smile and think, 'That silly fool!
At the fourth you'll wonder if the critics ever finished school.
At the tenth you'll throw your pens away and swear a world so cruel
Does not deserve to have you for a poet."

"And when you're six feet under those same critics will proclaim
That your poetry was masterful, deserving of the fame
And the accolades forthcoming will make yours a household name -
You've made it, son. You're now a famous poet!"

Well, as I said, that happened just about a year ago.
His words were quite foreboding; they did not deter me,though .
I knew a man who knew a man on the Oprah Winfrey show
And here I stand - a famous living poet!!!


© Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
1 posted 1999-06-12 11:12 PM


Well, it might seem a bit Goofy.. um Daffy, but you are exceptional at painting a picture with words!!!!


[This message has been edited by Nan (edited 06-12-99).]

[This message has been edited by Nan (edited 06-13-99).]

ashlerr
Junior Member
since 1999-06-11
Posts 23
chino hills, ca usa
2 posted 1999-06-13 06:26 AM


what i felt was a genuine statement on trying to write within today's society's stronghold of what writing is and coming to the realation that within it or outside it you have come to a sense of acceptance and eagerness with your writing and will not deter. then again it is only my analagy.
Balladeer
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
3 posted 1999-06-13 12:01 PM


and your comments are all well accepted. Welcome to our group and may your stay be rewarding for both you and us. Thank you for your thoughts.
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
4 posted 1999-06-28 04:11 PM


Ah balladeer, I wonder at your age. Many moons ago I gave of myself and written page
to literary agents not so kind, and they assaulted my weary mind.

Not for us your tattered laments old, not for us your queries bold, not for us you silly girl, but please, give it another whirl.

So in my growing up I left my pen behind and
would gaze at poems in my mind, not putting them to paper, nor computer kind; just there in the recesses of my mind.

Now come you to let in the light, and with it a new hope is shining bright: I'll never be like The Balladeer, but to him, I raise a toast, and CHEER!

Thanks for keeping on keeping on.

Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
5 posted 1999-06-28 04:51 PM


famous-- 1: widely known 2: honored for achievement 3: excellent, first-rate

Within the confines of these electronic halls you've more than achieved such status. Once again, I bow to you and your fine work.

Andrew

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
6 posted 1999-06-28 05:02 PM


Thank you both for your wonderful thoughts. Yes, Andrew, I am very satisfied with nothing more than this fine organization and the many friends I have found here. Between famous and content, I prefer the latter.
Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
7 posted 2000-08-20 03:46 AM


Balladeer~
Cruising the archives ...
happy to know a contented poet !
~*Marge*~


~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com



Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
8 posted 2001-06-22 09:07 PM


'Deer dear heart, and another goes into the library, oh I do love these archives. I'm going to build a little home down here and never more visit active open again. I'll wait till they make it down here and then I can snaffle them when they arrive.
Love this as always, absolutely excellent
Take care
Love as ever
Mushy
    

Take back the hope you gave,- I claim
Only a memory of the same
Robert Browning



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