Talent is what they say
you have after the novel
is published and favorably
reviewed. Beforehand what
you have is a tedious
delusion, a hobby like knitting.
Work is what you have done
after the play is produced
and the audience claps.
Before that friends keep asking
when you are planning to go
out and get a job.
Genius is what they know you
had after the third volume
of remarkable poems. Earlier
they accuse you of withdrawing,
ask why you don't have a baby,
call you a bum.
The reason people want M.F.A.'s,
take workshops with fancy names
when all you can really
learn is a few techniques,
typing instructions and some-
body else's mannerisms
is that every artist lacks
a license to hang on the wall
like your optician, your vet
proving you may be a clumsy sadist
whose fillings fall into the stew
but you're certified a dentist.
The real writer is one
who really writes. Talent
is an invention like phlogiston
after the fact of fire.
Work is its own cure. You have to
like it better than being loved.
you have after the novel
is published and favorably
reviewed. Beforehand what
you have is a tedious
delusion, a hobby like knitting.
Work is what you have done
after the play is produced
and the audience claps.
Before that friends keep asking
when you are planning to go
out and get a job.
Genius is what they know you
had after the third volume
of remarkable poems. Earlier
they accuse you of withdrawing,
ask why you don't have a baby,
call you a bum.
The reason people want M.F.A.'s,
take workshops with fancy names
when all you can really
learn is a few techniques,
typing instructions and some-
body else's mannerisms
is that every artist lacks
a license to hang on the wall
like your optician, your vet
proving you may be a clumsy sadist
whose fillings fall into the stew
but you're certified a dentist.
The real writer is one
who really writes. Talent
is an invention like phlogiston
after the fact of fire.
Work is its own cure. You have to
like it better than being loved.
-Marge Piercy
(a few old favorite black and whites, and a new favorite poem)
Mmmm....I love this. Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Amber chalus | March 05, 2010 at 04:44 PM
Lovely! Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Michael and Anna Costa | January 28, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Awesome! thanks for sharing!
Tess :)
Posted by: Tess@WeddingThemes | January 25, 2010 at 12:19 PM
Yessssss.
Posted by: Meg | January 25, 2010 at 10:47 AM
YES!!! thankyou.
Posted by: angela | January 22, 2010 at 09:17 PM
thank you for posting this poem heather.
i adore it.
like a few others - you're timing is impeccable for you readers on this one.
the last line resonates like no other.
Posted by: alyssa | January 22, 2010 at 02:13 PM
So timely and reaffirming.
Thank you for sharing this gift today!
Posted by: Dana | January 22, 2010 at 11:33 AM
"Work is its own cure." Love it. Just what I needed to hear today.
Posted by: Anna Alter | January 22, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Thank for this poem... It's beautiful and true... I think everyone has been there at some point in life... Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: jen howell | January 22, 2010 at 08:36 AM
That is a beautiful poem -- I just had to email it to my brother, call center employee by day, musician by night! Thanks for finding and sharing.
Posted by: Tara | January 22, 2010 at 08:19 AM
I never realized a poem could have a visual expression as well.....until now.
Thank you for the beautiful photos and sharing such an insightful, astute and wise poem.
Posted by: Rambles with Reese | January 22, 2010 at 05:49 AM