America Misdrempt

we have been left on the shelf? It takes great courage to break the mould. I salute you. If I had done what I was told I would be a desperately unhappy businessman or a mildly disappointed academic. Instead I am a wildly happy, economically poor poet. Perhaps not the best choice, but in a lovely country like Australia I can still eat, attend culture and not be seen as a loser except by people who don't matter. cheers, Jess

This one is strong as far as the phrases in it. I think like me you speak the truth from your own experience, and I know how hard that can be. It's good however try to involve the feelings more. Just my opinion, I love it!

american dream, that lie even when it wasn't a lie. screw all the people who see you a loser, if they do (we tend to project our own self loathing onto others--or at least i do). all that matters is poetry and god. everything else is, as the obese buddha said, illusion. an earnest, painful, and an achingly honest poem. nice job.