Writing is Bleeding

Writer Hemingway is celebrated

for his cerebral works, but he said,

"Writing is bleeding at the typewriter."

Now, it’s easier—not exactly bleeding—

but making people buy, is hard.

Lots of aggressive promotion needed

across social media platforms—

as if we’re businesspeople,

selling our merchandise.

Too much for a creative soul

What do you say?

To that, as stress rises,

being moral path is difficult,

dreams are shattering,

pure happiness is elusive.

I see change in reader choice,

people prefer suspense, titillation,

crime, romance erotica, horror—

over meaningful, wisdom-building,

health and psychology, and nature.

I write in the latter genres,

so my book sales are meager.

It’s sad, and discouraging—

a heavy blow to my craft.

getting paid in cents, in a way,

is bleeding from the heart.

Hemingway wasn’t wrong.

Earning by writing in these times,

is not a happy song.