So You Want to Be a Writer?

“Poetry” by Marianne Moore (1924)

Like Charles Bukowski’s poem, Marianne Moore's poem “Poetry” expresses a negative attitude toward writing. The writing in question is specifically poetry. "I, too, dislike it,” declares Moore. She jabs at "half poets” and states there are more important things than poetry’s "fiddle.” The "fiddle” relates to Bukowski’s depiction of a faux writer pursuing trivial goals like fame and money. Although Moore and Bukowski are down on their respective writing situations, they are not without hope. Bukowski lays out the process by which a true writer emerges, and Moore concedes that there is a "place for the genuine” within the often-overdone poetry milieu.

“America” by Allen Ginsberg (1956)

Allen Ginsberg’s "America” is another example of an epistolatory poem. While Charles Bukowski’s poem replies to a question about writing, Ginsberg addresses his letter-poem to the United States of America. Like Bukowski, Ginsberg espouses a peevish tone. "I don’t feel good don’t bother me,” Ginsberg tells America. Ginsberg touches on a range of issues from politics to drugs to religion. When Ginsberg mentions poetry, he articulates ideas that relate to Bukowski’s poem. Ginsberg declares, "I won’t write my poem till I’m in my right mind.