By Anorld Mutugi.
Who loves a beginner?
What counts except experience?
In every aspect and field
Of romance, writing and working
But where do you gain experience
Without a first chance?
Young novel writers
Can only reap in old age
If only they are lucky
To live long like crows
Was that ‘tripe’ or ‘crap’?
Common comments
Of publishers, critics and guides
Indeed, wise comments
To awaken and fortify the beginners!
Critics have defiled my land of birth
With contemptuous phrases
Is it really a literary desert?
What with this poor reading culture,
But where are the books
From novel upcoming writers?
Publishers exude words of hope
To beginners
In interviews and forums
Later?
What happened to yesterday’s promises?
Who adores beginners?
Will they survive to be breadwinners?
*This poem first appeared on his blog.
Arnold Mutugi is a banker, dreamer and poet. Follow him on Facebook.
