Hi Sarah – interesting questions but, in the end, easy to answer. I fell in love with poetry at my father’s knee, when he read me the poems of Rudyard Kipling. I wanted to read poetry, write poetry and yes, become a poet – from that first day when I heard my Father reading “On the Road to Mandalay.” I was hypnotized by the fact that words could paint pictures, take me on journeys, make me feel excitement, joy, sadness, and wonder. I had many side trips on my way to becoming a full-time poet, teacher, consultant, workshop leader but, through all those years I wrote, had my work published, had books come out and each of those events supported my goals of doing what I do now. If there’s a poet inside of you, you will know it, you will feel it, and it is who you are and what you will do with your life. Poetry is a calling, it chooses you, not the other way around. So, if you’re wondering if you’re a poet, let your heart lead you. I never questioned that poetry and I would become intimate, lifelong friends. And so we have. I hope this answers your question. Let me know if you’d like to talk more about “becoming – being” a poet. Your friend in poetry, Susan
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