Do I write poetry with high hopes of success?
Well hardly, friend, I couldn't stand the stress
Of writing, quite deliberately, for popular appeal;
You see, I couldn't write a thing I didn't feel.

You 're speaking not of wealth, and I've misunderstood?
Aha! You meant for literary fame --Oh, that's quite good!
If I am read at all (no doubt --posthumously!)
Why, everyone's quite welcome to whatever's left of me!

Yet, you persist ---why poetry, all day and then all night?
Oh, please! Remove your patronizing simper from my sight!
It matters not if everyone, including you, turns suddenly to dust --

You utter, idiotic fool! I write because I must!