Can I make a living out of poetry
There are two kinds of artists, both right in their choices; those who do it for the love of their work and those who do it make a living out of it. In all ways as long as the artist does not forget his passion, it is art. I mean even dentists and lawyers are artists in their professions.
“All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve are a direct result of his own thoughts”.
James Allen
Many people complain that poets in Kenya are getting too commercial hence moving away from free soul in poetry. I do not blame poets for turning commercial or making money from their work… only unfair people would especially in these hard time. So what is one supposed to eat? his words? Poetry can be a career too.
Where poets go wrong is that in the quest for money, we forget our passion. Poetry is an expression of feelings whether our own or of someone else; very few people nowadays are successful in making the audience believe them. This is to say, poetry like acting needs to convince the listener or reader; like evil actors the audience have to see the badness or the goodness in the poem. A spoken word poet has to be the greatest actor of his work.
Great poetry, even when money is inclined is felt and above all it is believed. Professionals however, are not driven by money but by PASSION and DISCIPLINE. They have persevered hardships, kissed the dust, their faces have been rubbed in the struggle and they have remained strong because they stood still when the effort got painful.
Some poets feel bad about selling their art but it's only fair enough to be credited, awarded and rewarded for your hard work. There's no point of putting beautiful, meaningful words on paper without giving other minds the chance to have a thought and benefit from them, if you can perform them then do it, if you write them then publish.
Take pride in your work. Write well, spit well and make a living from it! Why not?
© Namatsi Lukoye
“All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve are a direct result of his own thoughts”.
James Allen
Many people complain that poets in Kenya are getting too commercial hence moving away from free soul in poetry. I do not blame poets for turning commercial or making money from their work… only unfair people would especially in these hard time. So what is one supposed to eat? his words? Poetry can be a career too.
Where poets go wrong is that in the quest for money, we forget our passion. Poetry is an expression of feelings whether our own or of someone else; very few people nowadays are successful in making the audience believe them. This is to say, poetry like acting needs to convince the listener or reader; like evil actors the audience have to see the badness or the goodness in the poem. A spoken word poet has to be the greatest actor of his work.
Great poetry, even when money is inclined is felt and above all it is believed. Professionals however, are not driven by money but by PASSION and DISCIPLINE. They have persevered hardships, kissed the dust, their faces have been rubbed in the struggle and they have remained strong because they stood still when the effort got painful.
Some poets feel bad about selling their art but it's only fair enough to be credited, awarded and rewarded for your hard work. There's no point of putting beautiful, meaningful words on paper without giving other minds the chance to have a thought and benefit from them, if you can perform them then do it, if you write them then publish.
Take pride in your work. Write well, spit well and make a living from it! Why not?
© Namatsi Lukoye
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