2008: Is It Worth It? Poem by Tom J. Mariani

*Tom J. Mariani - -a found poem on a Starbucks' cup
credit to Katy Croff

People often ask
if it is worth it
to work at sea
*(or to write poetry)

isolated from the world
far from loved ones,
seasick, and running on
three hours' sleep.

*(When you can't write
you watch the clock creep)

To lay eyes on something
never before seen by anyone,
to learn something new
about our planet,

*(Stacks of rejection slips.
Will one make it?)

for that one moment
of discovery -yes,
it is
all worth it.