Entry 4: Response to "How to Succeed in Po Biz" by Kim Addonizio

The story doesn't exactly discourage one from attempting to become an accomplished poet, but it does inform the reader of what they are likely to experience if they make it past the first and most difficult step in the process--getting published. As I was reading this story, I couldn't help but wonder if the details weren't based off of someone's actual experiences in the po biz.

The story confirms that isolation and insecurity are the main weaknesses of the poet--in other words, you are your own worst critic. The story also illustrates how one can get too wrapped up in themselves and pull away from the world, harboring doubts about one's own talent and worth as a writer. Really, the story tells you how not to succeed as a poet rather than how to become a successful one.