The real lives of poets: Poets’ Work
Tuesday May 31, 2005
from Kiplinger.com:
“My Story: The Real Life of a Poet Laureate”
It’s a truism, but nonetheless quite true, that there’s no money in poetry. Poets must find another way to make a living, and they are often faced with the choice between teaching or working on the periphery of the literary arts, and taking a completely different job, so as to save all their literary energies for the poetry itself.
Current U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser chose the latter option, working in insurance for 35 years. He recently talked about the economics of life as a poet with Robert Frick of Kiplinger’s: “I don’t know how it works for other people trying to pursue an art while working in business. For me, writing poetry was the driving force, and my employment came second.... There are two kinds of poets: The poet who wears a beret and flirts with girls in the coffeehouse, and the poet at home who does the hard work of writing....”
Related resources:
Our article on Poets’ Work
Poets Laureate of the U.S.
Join the discussion:
To Eat, Or Not To Eat..., “What effect do economics have on art, specifically poetry? Did Wm Shakespere write for his Love of the Art? Or for hard currency to pay for his munchies?” --UTTERER
Poets’ Work / Day Jobs, “So what do you put in the 'Occupation' blank on your tax return?” --Poetry Guide
“My Story: The Real Life of a Poet Laureate”
It’s a truism, but nonetheless quite true, that there’s no money in poetry. Poets must find another way to make a living, and they are often faced with the choice between teaching or working on the periphery of the literary arts, and taking a completely different job, so as to save all their literary energies for the poetry itself.
Current U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser chose the latter option, working in insurance for 35 years. He recently talked about the economics of life as a poet with Robert Frick of Kiplinger’s: “I don’t know how it works for other people trying to pursue an art while working in business. For me, writing poetry was the driving force, and my employment came second.... There are two kinds of poets: The poet who wears a beret and flirts with girls in the coffeehouse, and the poet at home who does the hard work of writing....”
Related resources:
Our article on Poets’ Work
Poets Laureate of the U.S.
Join the discussion:
To Eat, Or Not To Eat..., “What effect do economics have on art, specifically poetry? Did Wm Shakespere write for his Love of the Art? Or for hard currency to pay for his munchies?” --UTTERER
Poets’ Work / Day Jobs, “So what do you put in the 'Occupation' blank on your tax return?” --Poetry Guide
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