The Dark Ages

Way back in the dark ages I used to read my poetry at Jack Powers’ Stone Soup poets. After one reading someone asked me what it was like to be a poet. I was embarrassed. I never thought of myself as a poet. A poet was someone who strutted around spouting verse and trailing sycophants like a bridal tress. I'm not a poet; I am a writer of occasional verse or short inconsequential stories. On a good day I will amuse myself spinning images out of words in sketchbook. That's not poetry that's wordplay. A poet is a title, an honorary, bestowed by an appreciative audience usually post mortis. To be called a poet is golden, to call oneself a poet is hubris. I am not a poet but if you call me one I will blush with pride.