I Am A Poet Ranked As Second-Rate

I Am A Poet Ranked As Second-Rate

I am a poet ranked as second-rate.
Was Oscar Wilde who gave these thoughts to me.
I must pick either life or poetry.
I can’t have both. I must make some excuse.
What kind of life I think I’d like to live?
In honesty, I’m thankful for this pass.
Accept less freely from a mortal hand.
Before I turn my back on poetry,
a first-rate life is not to be assumed.
Are life and poetry both second-rate?
The curse that gnaws at ev’ry artist’s mind.
I am a poet ranked as second-rate.