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Recorded Reading (4:40): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fx9cwact6cgf3k0xc9xtk/So-Must-You-be-Also.m4a?rlkey=jxrqhzj5cpe9y5fxh3axt6une&dl=0

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So Must You Be Also

I find in creative existence
Not many prepared are to pay
For genuine art, when small imitation
Is ceaselessly thrown in their way

Then ‘mongst those inclined to support are
Those visions our future create
Exist a wide range of deep motivations
Which too frequently deviate

As fully from disinterested
And altruistic patronage
As uncontaminated waters
Differ from sewerage sludge

Requiring the receiver
Agree to countenance
As purported believer
In purity of provenance

When truly a dividend’s wanted:
Base recognizance,
By dimly seen posterity
When reviewing these events,

As a boon companion
Creative genius of
Recipient of admiration
Reverence and love

Such was theirs from the beginning
But now will ne’er acknowledged be
After attempted purchase
From so “impractical” me

There have been times in this life when
All that it would take
To blessed be abundantly
Was by my silence simply fake

A smile or two, a murmer
When such was undeserved
By somebody feeling entitled
Whom swift off the narrow then swerved

For they, after all, just promised had
Assistance navigating through
This overwhelming world we poets
Thrown all pell mell are into

And so — to self said — purchased had
A license superior be
To we brothers and sisters
Afflicted with humanity

A stance which even the genius
Thus bought the way unto
Would, when it made its presence felt,
Look askance onto

For that creative spirit
Knows itself no greater whole
Than any other being
Bearing a sacred soul

Unneccessarily stringent?
Pushing abundance away?
Unwilling to compromise,
I think I hear you say?

Well, plenty there are who will cozen
Plenty there are who will bend
To a need to be one of the chosen
By virtue of being their friend

To me, a true friend is, too, truthful
And although reliably kind
Will not let a friend to deep inner division
Continue complacently blind

It’s all I’ve had to offer
Since my impoverished youth
No material gift may I proffer
Only the most loving truth

So you, my new friend, should consider
Before giving money away
If you are expecting such gift will then alter
Anything that I might otherwise say

I’m not a person who’ll usually speak
Unless it might improvement make ~
Before reality I tweak,
An inner intermission take

To see if its receiver
From that word will benefit
Of which, should I see no prospect,
I’d not give voice to it

And then again, though it be hard
For that receiver hear,
If I detect encouragement
By that same inner ear

Though it be sacrificial to
The friendship or my own well being
I’ll not deny you access to
The insights I am seeing

Consider, though, that these have been
My gifts to you from moment one
Without donation offered
Since our aquaintanceship’s begun

No vibration alter,
Not a thing will change,
Even should you my entire
Reality glad rearrange

If we’re intended close to be
Close to be we will
No contribution is required
There’ll never be a bill

What I give to this groaning world
I freely give, and thus must, too
The fruit trees, rainclouds, and the wind
And so, my friend, must you

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Homeless until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ this poet presently lives under perpetual threat of towing with all possessions should her 23-year-old van stop running for any reason.

She is badly in need of a modest reserve with which to field any emergency which might occur.

Donors may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S. It does take several days for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

Thank you for reading, and may your holidays be happy ones.

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