Joy Of A Printed Poem

Am I alone to worry about the continued fall of
print media of virtually all kinds of publishing?
How proud we've been over a few hundred years
that authors' works have has been so recognized
by seeing it published in newspapers and journals.
Somehow, to this old writer, it's not the same onlline.
I'm concerned that good poets of the future might
miss this exhilaration if it's not available in print.
An appreciable number of my poems have appeared
on online sites, a few on prestige poetry sites, but
when seen and read they lacked that special lift.
Perhaps I come from a generation that is fading
along with its members and printing presses.
Let it be known that I lament loudly and strong,
because technology is robbing future poets of
a pleasure equaling that of every printed poet.
There is one consolation in all of this; excellent
onlline networks have expanded poetry far
beyond what could have been possible in print.


F William Broome 2009