On being a poet
Poet Usha Akella was the force behind Austin commemorating Jan 7 as Poetry Caravan Day. Author of seven books of poetry, three chapbooks, and two musical dramas, Usha gives us a peek into what is it like to be a poet Is being apoet a practical profession? No, if you mean commercial viability. The earnings from poetry books or paid speaking engagements are limited. Every poet has to have a supporting means of livelihood. Maybe teaching or something else. All art forms exist to express what is within us. The life of body, soul, and mind is well satisfied with poetry. Poetry is a practice for the emotions and soul . Austin, which is where you live, declared Jan 7 th as Poetry Caravan Day. I understand that you were the force behind it. Tell me about how that happened. When I lived in NY, in suburban Greenburgh, I thought of taking poetry to less advantaged people in shelter homes, hospitals, senior homes, etc. I called the initiative ‘Poetry Caravan’. Several hundreds of r...
