Ernest Miller Hemingway

the whores, the mans at taco stands, the railroads/bus drivers, the cops, the killers, the guards and janitors, the highschool beaks, the priests and the dregs-outlawmen…

to be continually attacked by the other poets
is a sign that you've attained.
to receive letters from women and mens who claim to be
20 year old virgins
is a sign that you have arrived.

not to attack the another poets
not to reply the letters off 20 year old virgins

is a sign that you have arrived.

to be able to cook a pot of vegetables
on the stove abaft you
while you write a poem
is another good indicator.

it will not be the poets and the critics
who will have the say
it will be some of the people
and even though most of the people are often
wrong
it will be some of the people
who will indicate
that you have found them:
they will buy and read the books
and even though you did not write the books
for them
they will indicate.

this is as sensible to me
as any of the other
ways.