Send to KindleI was preparing the next writing prompt for the Young Poets Portal and the photo in the YouTube video caught my attention. It got me thinking about how many poets are unknown, maybe by choice or by circumstance…or because they haven’t made a Facebook page (I’m stubborn, ok?).
So I put on The Black Keys (who are NOT unknown by any means) and let that carry my thoughts. I wonder how many writers, whether poets or novelists or essayists, feel like I do. I’m not looking for fame and fortune, but I’m kind of shy about my writing at times and feel better keeping it to myself. I suppose it seems a bit contradictory considering that I’ve published three books. I want to sell my books, but I don’t want to make a big deal about it. So I continually struggle between publicizing my brains out or hiding in the basement, keeping it quiet.
*Tuesday, February 5th note: This is so crazy! I posted this two days ago and now I see it fits in almost perfectly with the dVerse Poets Open Link Night prompt for today! So this is my contribution, fellow Open Linkers:
A Basement Poet
I’m a poet
-Yeah, but-
No one knows it
A closet poet
Hiding this addiction
From critical eyes
Like a band that plays
In the basement
Recording with washer and dryer for an audience
Apart from them only the earthworms
Feel these vibrations
But they don’t say a word
I’m the basement band
That has the groove
That no one gets
I’m the basement band
That sings and rocks
I’ve even got the rhythm
I’m the underground poet
Hidden from judgmental faces
And scornful lips
I play a melody
That represents the majority
But the majority doesn’t want to admit it
So I stay down here
A basement poet
With only washer and dryer and some worms as my audience
Copyright © 2013 AKA
Photo from The Black Keys Fan Lounge Website
http://theblackkeysfanlounge.com/2010/06/interview-patrick-boissel-alive-records-the-big-come-up/
Also very true
A basement poet…I like that.
I guess it doesn’t matter if you’re in the basement or on the big stage as long as you love what you’re doing…and it makes you happy
Thanks. It’s nice to be understood and appreciated. I imagine that’s what it is really about, in the end.
Poetry in a basement. I guess we all feel like this at times that nobody is there to read the lines. But after some time people do find what we have written and drop by and leave a comment. It is nice to read the thoughts on this one well done. http://gatelesspassage.com/2013/02/02/reflections/
Very, very true.
It can be hard to wear your poet’s heart on your sleeve, we are lucky to have such a kind audience for open link night!
Thanks.
Intresting. A basement poet. Poetry as an addiction. Very Cool.
Haha, nope! No worms tonight. Real people this time
Worms for an audience!
I hope I look not like a worm heh.
ha have been in a basement band…and there is nothing like when one does hear and appreciates….perhaps the worms are not so bad…but i imagine a wider audience would appreciate you as well…smiles…
Yes. I know that I write for myself, like a therapy, but later on, if it’s right, I like to share it.
Underground poet…the worms are a good audience
I would like to believe that we write poetry for ourselves …and later to share with the world. 
I would have to agree with you.
smiles…maybe the worms are not such a bad audience after all… i think there are times when we’re ok with grabbing the mic and shout our poetry into the world and others when we just need the quiet security of a cave.. i’m ok with both…smiles