Oh, this certainly hits home. It seems, in my experience at least, those that choose to create (in whatever form they are called to) do so in ways that honor and highlight what it is to exist as human. These creations honor all parts of that existence, they honor what it is to be messy, to be unfinished, to be raw, to simply be ourselves. Perhaps a naïve perspective, but authentic creations inherently feel different - they speak a quiet, undeniable truth that seeks to connect to the intrinsic humanity within us all.
You hit the nail on the head here,and I think that's why I and people I love who also create (Hello Ash!) get so saddened when it feels like it's all slipping away. Thank you for seeking AND seeing what is truly authentic.
It's gorgeous, Tyler. Your work, all of it, the poetry, the Signal Fire chats, everything is incredible and it brings a beauty to my life that I am very grateful for. It's worth every penny and so long as I have enough pennies I will always be an upgraded subscriber.
I appreciate the art in the poem, but also the vent! Go ahead and vent! Yep, it is not fair that someone can get a million views and regular income from content monetization by riding a shopping cart into a wall on TikTok, but not so much for leaving yourself overexposed by writing of your dreams in iambic pentameter. But I don’t think you are searching for examples of life’s many cruel ironies. So, your audible angst is appreciated, even to us as loyal readers. I’m reminded of the time that I was sitting watching a ballgame with my dad, when an angry yell erupted from the upstairs bedroom of my brothers’. I asked “What was that?!?” My Dad, just kept watching the game and calmly replied; “Sometimes you have to just let it out.” Nothing resolved, but clearly relieved. So yes, we understand. Beyond that? Let's talk about what “success” means. It’s not clear where success and creativity can coexist, yet unpaid bills are a clear sign of imbalance. Success in the creative arts is not typically measured in regular income, but as a level of appreciation that affords the artist enough time and mental freedom to create both art and community. If you were to query online about the mis-fortunes of writers, there are too many references to note. Almost universally so for poets. Google suggested that poet Robert Graves provide the most famous quote regarding poets and money : "There's no money in poetry, but then there's no poetry in money, either.” For certain, poetry has more value to people than a monetary value. Why else would every state have “ poet laureate’s or universities with “ poets-in-residence”. We do seem to want to “have” poets, just not to pay them enough to write. In Norway, the government pays poets to be poets. It does this for many other artists, too. All published material in Norway is required by law to be placed in the National Library and the Arts Council purchases books of poetry. Renowned artists in Norway can receive a guaranteed income. It is possible to be a poet in Norway and not be living in a van down by the river. Perhaps this is one more reason that Norway is consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world, usually appearing in the top 10 of the annual World Happiness Report.
I MISS a good vent! I need to do more of that methinks. Just let the stream of consciousness flow. :) "There's no poetry in money," Will sustain me now for a long, long time. I appreciate that so much. You, as usual, unearth such truth, and I've always found it so funny that poets are so "Vital" to the understanding of the human race, but not so vital that they are paid what lawyers are paid, athletes are paid, or even accountants are paid. :)
To follow that up, you and Lady G should plan a visit to Norway, offering to do a reading from one of your books at the Norway National Library. One never knows what can happen if to ask. Better yet, grab Isakov and do a couple of poetry and music shows. Call it “Melody & Muse” or "Rhyme and Rhythm” tour. Sorry, but I tend to dream big.
I don’t comment a lot, mostly because all of you write so beautifully and I feel like I’m still breaking my pencil tip, I don’t even have a typewriter. lol
But this. THIS! Yes! The digital age has changed every tiny thing. It has made humans rude! Yes, it is exciting to see new gadget galore. But, for me? I’d give up my laptop and phone for stronger relationships. For more human connection.
And, yes. For 33mm film! lol Really showing my age! But oh, I loved my dark room time. Watching that image emerge with one of the coolest things that I had ever seen at the time.
I am 53. lol
Hey, take a look and tell me if I can upgrade my subscription or not!
I'm so glad this resonated! I LOVE when you comment here, for what it's worth ! :) You being here, paying to be part of this, sustains me and Signal Fire. THANK YOU.
Yes! I feel that I am drowning in this complexity and constantly overwhelmed by the constant bombardment of information. I so long to go back to the simple, one-track life. I think that is why I enjoy camping so much; just me and my tent, chair beside the campfire -- reading Tyler's poems. Getting back to that feeling of calm and simplicity.
I will support you Tyler! Your contributions to the world is astounding; more far-reaching than you know. I can't wait until your book is complete.
I was sitting at my local coffee shop just last weekend with a pile of poetry books I was reading...and this exact feeling hit me too. I was also doing some poetry writing of my own that day, and I kept feeling the desire to share it, but kept hitting a wall. The writing world of Instagram seems to be dead. Nothing I post there seems to matter anymore. Tumblr is also an ancient thing of the past. I feel like there's almost nowhere to go to share art and make genuine connections with people. Social media today is honestly awful. Like you said, I miss the messiness that it used to be...when we could just post the random details of our lives and connect with our friends. I'm always longing for the "analog days" and physical forms of artistic expression.
I'm so grateful you keep finding ways to share your art and your world with us. You'll always have my support.
I think it's all dead, to be fair. It's just people performing a lot of nothing to an audience of no one. Dead eyed, flat stares, empty. I think it's for the best though, it's back to LIFE for those of us who notice. Truly.
I’ve been away and am catching up and this one hit me like a sucker punch. It feels like the lyrics to an angry, forlorn song. Shout it. Scream it. Bleed it.
Yes, this. Give me the humanity of the mess, the aches and brilliant joys that spill like ice cream splatters on a sunny day.
Grateful to you always, my friend
YES YES YES. HUMANITY OF THE MESS! (That rhymed) :)
Oh, this certainly hits home. It seems, in my experience at least, those that choose to create (in whatever form they are called to) do so in ways that honor and highlight what it is to exist as human. These creations honor all parts of that existence, they honor what it is to be messy, to be unfinished, to be raw, to simply be ourselves. Perhaps a naïve perspective, but authentic creations inherently feel different - they speak a quiet, undeniable truth that seeks to connect to the intrinsic humanity within us all.
You hit the nail on the head here,and I think that's why I and people I love who also create (Hello Ash!) get so saddened when it feels like it's all slipping away. Thank you for seeking AND seeing what is truly authentic.
It's gorgeous, Tyler. Your work, all of it, the poetry, the Signal Fire chats, everything is incredible and it brings a beauty to my life that I am very grateful for. It's worth every penny and so long as I have enough pennies I will always be an upgraded subscriber.
Sheesha, this means the WORLD.
I appreciate the art in the poem, but also the vent! Go ahead and vent! Yep, it is not fair that someone can get a million views and regular income from content monetization by riding a shopping cart into a wall on TikTok, but not so much for leaving yourself overexposed by writing of your dreams in iambic pentameter. But I don’t think you are searching for examples of life’s many cruel ironies. So, your audible angst is appreciated, even to us as loyal readers. I’m reminded of the time that I was sitting watching a ballgame with my dad, when an angry yell erupted from the upstairs bedroom of my brothers’. I asked “What was that?!?” My Dad, just kept watching the game and calmly replied; “Sometimes you have to just let it out.” Nothing resolved, but clearly relieved. So yes, we understand. Beyond that? Let's talk about what “success” means. It’s not clear where success and creativity can coexist, yet unpaid bills are a clear sign of imbalance. Success in the creative arts is not typically measured in regular income, but as a level of appreciation that affords the artist enough time and mental freedom to create both art and community. If you were to query online about the mis-fortunes of writers, there are too many references to note. Almost universally so for poets. Google suggested that poet Robert Graves provide the most famous quote regarding poets and money : "There's no money in poetry, but then there's no poetry in money, either.” For certain, poetry has more value to people than a monetary value. Why else would every state have “ poet laureate’s or universities with “ poets-in-residence”. We do seem to want to “have” poets, just not to pay them enough to write. In Norway, the government pays poets to be poets. It does this for many other artists, too. All published material in Norway is required by law to be placed in the National Library and the Arts Council purchases books of poetry. Renowned artists in Norway can receive a guaranteed income. It is possible to be a poet in Norway and not be living in a van down by the river. Perhaps this is one more reason that Norway is consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world, usually appearing in the top 10 of the annual World Happiness Report.
I MISS a good vent! I need to do more of that methinks. Just let the stream of consciousness flow. :) "There's no poetry in money," Will sustain me now for a long, long time. I appreciate that so much. You, as usual, unearth such truth, and I've always found it so funny that poets are so "Vital" to the understanding of the human race, but not so vital that they are paid what lawyers are paid, athletes are paid, or even accountants are paid. :)
To follow that up, you and Lady G should plan a visit to Norway, offering to do a reading from one of your books at the Norway National Library. One never knows what can happen if to ask. Better yet, grab Isakov and do a couple of poetry and music shows. Call it “Melody & Muse” or "Rhyme and Rhythm” tour. Sorry, but I tend to dream big.
I don’t comment a lot, mostly because all of you write so beautifully and I feel like I’m still breaking my pencil tip, I don’t even have a typewriter. lol
But this. THIS! Yes! The digital age has changed every tiny thing. It has made humans rude! Yes, it is exciting to see new gadget galore. But, for me? I’d give up my laptop and phone for stronger relationships. For more human connection.
And, yes. For 33mm film! lol Really showing my age! But oh, I loved my dark room time. Watching that image emerge with one of the coolest things that I had ever seen at the time.
I am 53. lol
Hey, take a look and tell me if I can upgrade my subscription or not!
I'm so glad this resonated! I LOVE when you comment here, for what it's worth ! :) You being here, paying to be part of this, sustains me and Signal Fire. THANK YOU.
Yes! I feel that I am drowning in this complexity and constantly overwhelmed by the constant bombardment of information. I so long to go back to the simple, one-track life. I think that is why I enjoy camping so much; just me and my tent, chair beside the campfire -- reading Tyler's poems. Getting back to that feeling of calm and simplicity.
I will support you Tyler! Your contributions to the world is astounding; more far-reaching than you know. I can't wait until your book is complete.
Keep the faith, friend!
I couldn't agree more! Simple, one-track, connected. You're magic, and I'm so glad you're here!
I was sitting at my local coffee shop just last weekend with a pile of poetry books I was reading...and this exact feeling hit me too. I was also doing some poetry writing of my own that day, and I kept feeling the desire to share it, but kept hitting a wall. The writing world of Instagram seems to be dead. Nothing I post there seems to matter anymore. Tumblr is also an ancient thing of the past. I feel like there's almost nowhere to go to share art and make genuine connections with people. Social media today is honestly awful. Like you said, I miss the messiness that it used to be...when we could just post the random details of our lives and connect with our friends. I'm always longing for the "analog days" and physical forms of artistic expression.
I'm so grateful you keep finding ways to share your art and your world with us. You'll always have my support.
I think it's all dead, to be fair. It's just people performing a lot of nothing to an audience of no one. Dead eyed, flat stares, empty. I think it's for the best though, it's back to LIFE for those of us who notice. Truly.
That’s a great point.
I’ve been away and am catching up and this one hit me like a sucker punch. It feels like the lyrics to an angry, forlorn song. Shout it. Scream it. Bleed it.
You never stop amazing me.