Non Fiction

Affirmations of a Working Poet

Patrick Frank

Recently, I composed a list of "affirmations for the working poet." By "serious poet,” I mean serious about poetry-writing. I do not mean employed somewhere else, though that is often the case. And I am really speaking to anyone who has a creative impulse—and almost all of us do.

One can be serious without making one's living through poetry-writing or other forms of artistic expression. How many of us make our living through our creative endeavors?

Of course, I want to have my poetry-book published, and I want it to be widely read. But this result is out of my control. I submit to the competitions, but know that the odds are stacked against any individual poet, no matter how good his or her material. Yet, my attitude is that I want to share my work with others. That is essential for me. And that is why I have worked hard to have my work published in periodicals, and have achieved some success through that venue.

Poetry-writing is also, for me, related to spiritual and emotional growth. I regard the creative process as potentially therapeutic. Certainly, it can broaden one's perspective.

And when poetry is shared face-to-face, interpersonal barriers can be surmounted, and relationships with significant others can be enormously enhanced.

I favor the poet remaining strongly engaged with the external world. The poet—any creative person, for that matter—has a unique perspective to share with others in his or her cultural milieu. It is not a matter of having a liberal or conservative perspective to share; the creative person has the ability to see the world in new ways. The creative person does not follow the crowd, and is not concerned with being “politically correct.” Pressure to conform can be applied on both ends of the political continuum.

Poetry-writing moves the process of self-exploration to a deeper level. Aspects of experience and reality that, superficially, appear to be unrelated, can be explored in a unitary fashion. This is analogous to what happens in a dream. Dream content unfolds disjointedly, but upon awakening, if one makes a serious effort to reflect, a surprising connection between seemingly disparate elements of the dream—and current issues one is confronted with in waking life—are revealed.

Last night I dreamed that I was working with Native Alaskan children as a teacher or counselor. I became interested in the idea of crossing the Aleutian straits—to explore the similarities and differences between indigenous peoples on both sides of the international divide. Where did this dream come from, and what is its significance? Eventually, I may incorporate this dream into a poem. Through this creative act, my understanding of the significance of this dream, its relevance to my current life situation, may be enhanced.

At any rate, below are my affirmations. And I would love to receive feedback from other poets and artists.

Affirmations for the Working Poet

•I will take my work as a poet seriously, though I don’t expect to make much money through this endeavor.

•I will seek inspiration through engagement in moment-to-moment experiencing, and reality.

•I will strive for clarity, combined with depth of expression. Obscurity or obtuseness does not make great poetry.

•I will convey emotion in my work, understanding that poetry is not merely an intellectual exercise.

•I will leave space in the creative process for the reader.

•I will study the work of poets from a variety of cultural milieus.

•I will avoid egotism.

•I will remain engaged with people from all walks of life.

•I will read widely, including science in my reading list.

•I will share my work with others, including family and friends, as well as through both performance and publication.

•I will remain in touch with nature.

•As a creative person, I will not refrain from contributing a unique perspective where I am employed. Creativity demands courage, at times.

•I will write every day. For me, dawn is the best time.

•I will be open to revision and feedback from others.

•I will immerse my soul in music, and expose myself to great cinema.

•I will invite mystery into my life and work.

•I will commit myself to the expression of poetic truth.

•I will concern myself with issues related to freedom and justice.

•I will be a friend to other poets, and support their growth.