leonardcohenforum.com

I'm a 20 year old kid who loves to write pretty much everything, but my favorite is by far poetry. And I hope to make my living as a poet or a lyricist or whatever. So is there any room left in this cynical world for a professional poet?

Like Leonard said "I don't want to write to get paid, I want to get paid for what I write."

Thank you
Neil

Plenty of room, look at the poetry section of this site flourish.
Georges

George stop being sorry for being human! And take responsibility for a change

Hydra, it's one of the things about being mortal.................you kick youself and you die.
Georges

for some i-take-myself-too-seriously-balyhoo look below

i agree with hydra,but there really is the human factor that is like georges says"you kick yourself and die"but i think thats whats so amazing.
what is called "po-ten-tial n 1: something that can develope or become actual 2:the work required to move a unit positive charge from infinity to a point of question."-mirriam-webster. whatever may be, we must be able to forgive ourselves of past mistakes or be forever suspended in failure.to learn from them is key.we are mortal,but if you believe in the soul,we are not just human we have a devinity that also comes into play.
just so that on the deathbed i'll be smiling....
saluté
elazar

"just so that on the deathbed i'll be smiling.... "

Good for you elazar!
It is the only way to go

Is being a poet a dead occupation? Not sure really. However George(s)' poetry could only improve if he were dead. Less is more.

p.

Don't wish death on anybody for it has a habit of tapping you on the shoulder first. Partisan, why don't you take a happy pill for christmas and try and improve your dire outlook to most people on this board?
Seasons Greetings.....................Georges

since everybody else appears to comment only on georges, i suppose i could try and answer you question...

is being a poet a dead occupation? on the contrary! everybody seems to think they could write the best poetry ever! i know hundreds of people who write poetry, but i'm afraid i only know a few who actualy read poetry that was not written by their relatives and friends.

that should have been the question: is READING poetry a dead occupation. how about you? how do you feel about u.a. fanthorpe, fleur adcock, seasmus heany, t.s. eliot, or any of the other poets of newer generation?

if these names are only names you heard somewhere in newspapers where you were looking for place to publish your own work --- then you don't deserve to live of poetry, but if their names remind you of the books you have on your shelf, and poems you read... then you can be sure that there are other people out there who will purchase your work if it is any good.

there are still SOME people who read poetry even if they do not write (that's me for example).

JURICA

p.s.
looking forward to finding your book of poetry in my local bookstore, where i go nearly every day looking for new authors of quality.

This is a quote from today's "E-Verse Radio" [a non-list aspect that I enjoy], which seems worthy of inclusion here:

"When you read and understand a poem, then you master chaos a little." ~ Stephen Spender

I never wished you dead George(s). I merely speculated on the effect on your poetry of you being dead. George(s) I think you perform a vital function on this board( or is that 'bored'?).

p.

Thanks Partisan
if we all can provide a function in this life................
Georges

poetry is alive and well.there will always be some poetry that will tickle someones tastebuds.i guess it depends on you if you will find your niche.like you qouted"i dont want to write poetry to get paid i want to get paid for what i write."everyone has humble beginnings ,i think,even leonard.so go forth ye and poetrize,for the cosmos may favor you tonight.
saluté
elazar

Nice idea.....................................let the cosmos begin to inspire
georges