Struggle Poets of Datalounge

Yes, I know they are other threads. They're all several years old and I dare not bump them.

The poetry scene in U.S. is very incestuous and revolves around arts grants and a few M.F.A. programs.

It does, very insightful.

I presume you have an issue with that, but aren't capable of saying why. Use your words, hun.

Sorry about the formatting fail in the OP, I was going for enjambment. As every poetry student knows, enjambment is a cheap way to make any stale line look instantly profound:

Timely thread, OP.

Since the plague began I have been reconsidering my priorities, one of which was my abandoned poetry career. I actually did pretty well as a youth poet, won a couple of Laureateships as well as a mentorship, a National Award and a modest grant. I gave it up early (roughly age 21) due to jading (see R2), difficult life circumstances and a crushing depression that blocked me. Now though I realise that my potential is not yet spent and I may want to give it another shot.

So, which are the Top 5 most prestigious English-speaking awards and grants? I feel like winning, and I’ve got a few old literary rivals I’d like to shock with a showing up...👹

R5 How does one acquire a literary rival? They already sound mediocre 😂

I've gone back to reading some of my old favorites during the shutdown, looking at work that deeply affected me or some truth for me when I was younger. Trying to process everything that's happening. When times are tough or just overwhelming, I sort of crave poetry.

Hell -I've had my poetry published in magazines a couple of times. But I made more money writing porn stories for gay jack-off mags back in the 80s and 90s. Can't make a living at either one.

How's it going, R5?

I don't have any real background in poetry, but I've been thinking it might be fun to explore as a second career.

This popped into my head as a complete whole one day:

"Fuck it!" Said the bucket, while sitting in the loo I don't have a pot to piss in And my whole world smells of poo.

^ugh, formatting

"Fuck it!" Said the bucket, while sitting in the loo

I don't have a pot to piss in,

And my whole world smells of poo