Playing Poet

Playing Poet
© Surazeus
2017 11 23

There are two aspects of being a poet,
writing poetry in elegant verse
that conjures tales of human character,
and playing Poet in the social scene
by teaching poetry in the workshop
then presiding over feasts with sharp wit.

The poet, focused on their writing craft,
spends time alone, contemplating the world,
then weaving visions about human life.
The player, focused on gaining great fame,
spends time in public, entrancing the world,
then networking for positions of power.

The poet singing in secluded haven
who composes poems that reflect the world
earns rich fame that will last a thousand years.
The poet declaiming in crowded hall
who composes poems that flatter the world
earns fake fame that will last till they are dead.