RobokkuWed, Apr 23, 2008 I rarely take the time to enjoy poetry, but I enjoyed reading this very much. Thanks.
I also like your observation that you don't have to be successful to be a successful poet, and I agree.
I think art really only succeeds or fails as art on its own terms. If you judge it by other terms, you are not evaluating it as art but as something else (most commonly, if you limit success to popularity or renown, as showbusiness).
That's why I consider the concept of a 'professional artist' to be an oxymoron.
(And dead poets aren't successful - they're dead. That's not what you're aiming for, is it?)
I rarely take the time to enjoy poetry, but I enjoyed reading this very much. Thanks.
I also like your observation that you don't have to be successful to be a successful poet, and I agree.
I think art really only succeeds or fails as art on its own terms. If you judge it by other terms, you are not evaluating it as art but as something else (most commonly, if you limit success to popularity or renown, as showbusiness).
That's why I consider the concept of a 'professional artist' to be an oxymoron.
(And dead poets aren't successful - they're dead. That's not what you're aiming for, is it?)