Fame is the price of being known.
It is the residue of a separate journey --
a journey deeper into the singular self.
When our journey within leads
to the universe without, we become
known through what we bring back.
When our journey within leads only within,
we become known for what we take.
J. D.
ReplyDelete“God, how I still love private readers…It’s what we all used to be.”
We become known for what we give.
Once in this society is never enough.
Everything is measured by mass production.
If what you write catches a nation,
Strangers invade your home
Because you’re known for what you gave.
What it took out of you to write
That one book isn’t enough when
Everything is measured by mass production.
Then there are the unstable who read
And use your words to justify murder
Because we’re known for what we give.
Shouldn’t one perfect work of art
Silence critics demanding more, or is
Everything now measured by mass production?
Going on talk shows to promote your work
Is less useful than staying at home writing;
We become known for what we give, even when
Everything is measured by mass production.
[Disposable Villanelle February 4, 2010]
Dr. Mike