But then you keep writing. As you should, Roger. End of day, it's for you.

A point made quite graphically!

...and yet, there we find ourselves again, pulling up our hair (sorry, Roger) and bending down so that the blade will hopefully hit its mark and the pain will be subdued by the sharpness of the blade with which we speak.

I, too, am guilty of admiring your poetry. (smile) katy xox

Please see my blog for more on this topic.

the character of an audience can either accept or deny the quality of the poetry ... we on the other hand, have to deal with the fear of success and the frustration of failure ... and if we appear to fail, move onto the next audience ... if we succeed, focus on only getting better ...

Awwww this is well written...I think I can relate...and yes Sherry said it well!!

Love & Hugs Tinka

As Sherry said, let them chips fall, and if they are cow chips, don't let them fall just throw them at the audience, that will get a rise or fall out of them...Ed

Roger,

Boy this hits home, let me just say I feel your pain!

I suppose that you must ask yourself if the public at the "public reading" are really worth your concern. You have something to say, say it and let the chips fall where they may. Perhaps they will like what you say and perhaps not, but (hopefully) we write for ourselves and perhaps, one day, our words will be exactly what someone else needs or wants to hear. Many of those groups that have readings don't seem to like poetry from the soul or poetry that is honest...they tend to like fabricated, tormented poetry that uses words that require a dictionary to understand and would never appeal to or be understood by the masses. Write what flows from you and skip worrying about if someone else appreciates it or not.
Take care,
Sherry

We often don't know what will happen when we 'put ourselves out there'. But we should still keep swinging the bat. For every rejection received, I seem to be getting an acceptance to counterbalance it. You will as well...as for public readings...I've never put myself out to THAT extent as of yet. Ha ha! Kudos to you for your bravery! This is a fine piece. Keep writing. It's obvious to this writer's eyes that you've got the goods. Michelle

roger--very frightening--remember suffecient grace