Sally Cook

Some Advice from the Untalented

They smugly said I'd never make much money
From playing with my words and making art,
That it would be a waste to spread such honey
So any fool could tear the thing apart.
"Forget it! You have always been contrarian.
There's money to be made and you'd be right
As an accountant, teacher or librarian.
You've got your back, your feet are good, your sight
Is sure. Why waste it on this silly dream?
A decent mattress beats a lumpy bed
With linens coarse and scratchy; when you scream
You'll muffle it in silken sheets instead.
They only pay an artist when he's dead."

“I'm far too mean to die -- I'll wait," I said.