It’s a fact
poetry is not a good side business
and I have a few bills that need
paying
It’s lottery odds
these days
getting a book published
worse odds
a book of poems
and worse yet
to move the thing
off the bookshelf
I should probably get
a third job
Well, my wife informs me
that poetry is my third job
a courageous and faithful woman
she
She knows
that I’m a bloated monster
when not putting
words on paper
So, despite the odds
of publication
of mounting bills
of off and on talent
of laziness
of television
of day job
of no sleep
of rotting teeth
of broke down car
of taxes
of all the rest
I have to keep doing it
Laying down these lines
Not
for fame
or money
or immortality
but because
when I’m at this desk
at 1:03 am
on a Tuesday
God laughs out loud
and the Devil fumbles his wine
Success or failure
be damned
Literary curriculum
be damned
Help wanted ads
be damned
You know
what I’m talking about
here?
Yeah
odds are
you
do
16 responses so far ↓
1 Kamsin | 23 Oct 2006
I like these lines:
‘God laughs out loud
and the Devil fumbles his wine’
I do know what you’re talking about. Keep doing what you’re doing!
2 Jecklin | 23 Oct 2006
yeah, I’ve been getting up at 3am 7 days a week for years now delivering newspapers…I feel like a pack mule with 250 newspapers strapped over my shoulders…and the winter rains are coming…
but you know what? It is alright…
3 David Zemens | 23 Oct 2006
I hate to sound like I am stealing the lines that Kamsin noted, but they really stood out when I read the poem.
“God laughs out loud
and the Devil fumbles his wine”
Delightful. Simply delightful. Mondays are good, Robert. Don’t let life get in the way of your dreams.
4 Peter Flaschner | 23 Oct 2006
Robert - I find your site immeasurably useful and inspirational. Your words and your work ethic serve to remind me how fortunate I am to sling pixels for a living.
I also have to chime in on “the Devil fumbles”. Nearly made me laugh out loud when I ran across it. Would make a terrific poster…
5 Nathan Gismot | 25 Oct 2006
Among other things, you have a wonderfully supportive wife. You’re also a talented and insightful poet. I’m glad I came across your site, man.
6 Robert Bruce | 25 Oct 2006
Kamsin - For some reason, that line came last. Glad it made it in the lineup though…
7 Robert Bruce | 25 Oct 2006
Jecklin - What is that? 3 jobs? When do you sleep man? How’s this for 20 questions…
8 Robert Bruce | 25 Oct 2006
David - Thanks much for the encouragement, odd thing is, the stuff that gets in the way seems to make for the best writing. Will do my friend.
9 Robert Bruce | 25 Oct 2006
Peter - “…useful..”. Very interesting choice of word. A good compliment as I’ve been told that poems have become less and less useful.
Useful as a knife, I hope….
Thanks for coming around here.
10 Robert Bruce | 25 Oct 2006
Nathan - You’re right about my bride. You’re right. She’s been through a lot, living with me…
I am a grateful man.
11 AndrewE | 26 Oct 2006
There must be an employer out there in the Portland area that reads KGP every morning over a cup of Starbucks special and is looking for new talent like yourself.
With a bit of militancy and some help from the media gurus and blogging gliterati I’m sure we could shake the blogosphere and see a few golden apples drop.
Come on people of Portland, wake up! American poetry depends on you!
12 Jecklin | 26 Oct 2006
Robert, I still manage to find plenty of time to waste…
I’ve got leaves to rake and gutters to clean. Later!
13 Robert Bruce | 26 Oct 2006
Andrew - Now we’re talking, love it. Although, I guess I’d sell more books (or grab more views) if I ended up drunk in the gutter…
14 Jessica Doyle | 27 Oct 2006
YEAH! break on through to the other side….
15 Loren Feldman | 29 Oct 2006
You my friend are a real man. Mitchum, McQueen, and now Bruce. You are the true poet warrior, a fighter, a dreamer, a poet.
Always keep fighting, your time will come.
16 Melissa | 6 Jul 2007
Hey Robert,
Let me know when you figure out how to make a living at poetry. I am so, so, so not ready for the corporate HR life. I owe you a poem.
Peace,
Melissa
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