Ouch!

I'm learning the hard way (is there any other?) that sometimes you write a poem that's just for you.

Though you never (or hardly ever, that I can recall) hear of a "professional" poet writing a poem for themselves and no one else, I have a feeling that, if they were honest about it, they do.

Now, if people know about you, and they are curious about your work, they're going to get their hands on these poems someday, too. And you'll be judged by those probably more than any other thing you've done, whether those "readers" have the acumen or finesse to interpret them correctly or not.

So, you've got to write those private things knowing you'll either have to burn them yourself as soon as you write them or leave them to scrutiny at a time and place out of your control, and maybe beyond your consent.

That's why you never hear a "professional" poet admitting he or she has some private work.

I'm mentioning this now, my dear readers, because if you've been reading these little messages all year, you may have noticed your work improving. And that means you're starting to attract more attention.

It feels good, at first. But beware: there are thorns woven in those laurels.