Yesterday, I went to an awesome poetry reading/ book launch for two excellent poets in Minneapolis. It had been months since I went to a literary event of any kind, and this really left me recharged. One of the poets, Bao Phi, who was releasing his first poetry book (not including self published chap books), Song I Sing from Coffeehouse Press. Among other accomplishments, Phi is a two time "Grand Slam" champion and has also appeared on Def Poetry Jam. The other poet, Ed Bok Lee, was equally as wonderful. His book Whorled is also available from Coffeehouse Press.
I've dabbled in a bit of slam poetry myself, spent a year going to several slams, performing in a few although I only made the final local round once, I enjoyed the time, and no I didn't compete against Bao Phi-- my brief time on the scene happen after he had moved on. So today, I sought to write a "slam length" poem -- which is about 2 1/2 minutes. I didn't time myself reading, but I think I got fairly close. It's about the same length as a few I performed back in the day. The poem, Wooing the Muse, is nearly 400 words, about a relationship on the rocks.
I think nearly anyone who calls themselves a writer relies at least partially on "the muse" to inspire them. But expecting the muse to lift you from nothing without giving it anything to feed on is not fair. Inspiration,poetry, art is all a two way street. When you show up, eventually, the muse will come to your aid. You just might have to throw out a few things that aren't as you as you'd like them to be.
And now, I have another idea-- wrote the beginning and end stanzas and will try to dig at it throughout the week. It's a little more of a "spilling from the veins" poem. No guarantees it will be ready, but even if I don't share, the process will be interesting.
Making money, let alone a living purely from writing creatively, especially poetry is rare, but there is so much more that doesn't mean it isn't worthwhile. For many it provides something much more valuable. A voice.
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