How Do Poets Make Money? Poem by Denis Martindale

Giggle! Chuckle! And ha, ha, ha! This poet laughs out loud!
Have I seen wages? Not this far! So I can join the crowd.
That multitude of unpaid bards! That gathering of guys!
That band of men, with broken hearts, that some don't count as wise!
That bunch of blokes, that please most folks, yet die in poverty!
That mix of men, some see as jokes! Since they write poetry!
But mark this well! God understands as He's the Lord of Lords,
And God picks poets for His plans, and God grants His rewards.
Man smirks at winsome souls on Earth that don't get paid a dime,
And yet the Saviour knows their worth because each proves sublime.
For poets stir up words within, and wisdom from above,
To comfort those who just can't win, to share both hope and love.
To face the challenge, seize the day, to strive and overcome,
To seek the wayward souls that stray, not walk away like some.
God's poets seek a noble path, once educated well,
To act like Scrooge, who chose to laugh, once faith saved him from Hell!
God's poets serve eternity, and all that love can bring!
And so, what use is currency some think means everything?
To serve Mankind, each poet shares then leaves his legacy,
His songs, his hymns, his fervent prayers, his text-book poetry.
God sees lives changed, both far and wide, both now and evermore!
Long after every poet's died, no poems left in store!
Though God hears laughter, now and then, that no-one pays a cent,
God's poets wait that moment when God blesses their intent!


Denis Martindale. September 2020.