My Scorecard at Pebble Beach
The poet has no mind coach to fend off his doubts
no caddy to carry his bag of tricks, no gallery
of admirers to watch and cheer him along
no teacher-coach to help him hone his craft
no one bothers to endorse him, he has no resources
and he competes with no one except himself.
As a master of his craft the poet learns to walk
unsupported and sure-footed into the vast
and mysterious kingdom of words.