Why am I even bothering with trying to send out my poetry? 18.1.2.3.4 -> 21

[compass]

My question this morning arose out of frustration. I'm a published poet and over the past decade have had two pamphlets and a book published. However, recently I've had more rejections than acceptances when submitting to poetry magazines and competitions, and sometimes I feel my book, while published by a respected publisher, has been overlooked. So my question to the IC was: 'Why am I even bothering with this [i.e. trying to send my work out]?' But now writing this, I realize how self-pitying it sounds. The answer I got was 18.1.2.3.4 -> 21, which probably speaks to that shallow need for recognition and accolades, and perhaps the best thing is to bite through that 'corruption' of the spirit and just focus on the poetry.

I'm interested in hearing what others think.

Best wishes,
Compass

 

[Hypnotist Collector]

Hmm, I might not take all the blame on yourself, it sounds to me like there's also a web of dysfunction (corruption is a strong word) that might also involve the publishing system, the current environment for any kind of artist trying to get recognition and make a living (read the recent book Death of the Artist), and whatever experiences made you vulnerable to self-doubt. It's a tough row to hoe, no doubt about it, and yes, you have to have a ton of grit and resilience and determination - and to let go of the outcome. But your response, and your impetus to ask the question, sounds entirely human to me!

 

[my_key]

So my question to the IC was: 'Why am I even bothering with this [i.e. trying to send my work out]?'
The answer I got was 18.1.2.3.4 -> 21

You are bothing to send your work our because getting your work out there( being seen, being read, being heard etc) means an awful lot to you and you don't want to give up on it. (21)

18 is translated by some as meaning Remedying. The emphasis is placed on working on what has been spoiled with a sense of hope that things will be repaired and restored. There is a resounding sense of hope aligned with Hex 18 especially if you are able to strike out and cross the great river.

It is important to understand "What has been spoiled?" so that the right remedy can be prescribed.
Lines 1, 2 and 3 indicate that is this situation there is quite a bit out of balance in your inner world and this is leading to unbalance on the threshold of your outer world.

Maybe the guidance here is in the words of the Image.

Thus the superior man stirs up the people
And strengthens their spirit.

And whats more Wilhelm indicates how best to do this. First remove stagnation by stirring up the common held beliefs ( "as the wind stirs up everything") and secondly to "strengthen and tranquilize the character of the people, as the mountain gives tranquillity and nourishment to all that grows in its vicinity."

Somewhere in all this it is suggested that you are still bothering to send out your work because it is giving you a direction and a purpose, that is challenging old beliefs and further it is reinforcing (nourishing) the new and in so doing strengthening your character.

......or it may be nothing like that at all for you.

Good Luck.

 

[compass]

Thank you both--your feedback is a great help & dose of reassurance for me to keep going.

Quite a few poetry editors have said there are more people writing & submitting poetry than ever before, so they've had to turn away some good poems that they wouldn't have done normally. I think the pandemic and lockdowns have allowed people to have more quiet time and contemplation and look within themselves and write, which is ultimately a great thing.

My_key's observation that 'there is quite a bit out of balance in [my] inner world' is quite correct. I have always struggled with self-doubt and insecurities and confidence, and while the past 10 years has shown me that publishers want to publish my work, which has been a great boost to self-esteem, still I am plagued by doubt. I follow Daoism which has helped really put me at peace at following my path and seeing where it goes; however, some days I am still brought to my knees in anguish--'Why the hell am I doing this?!?'

But as I said, this feedback on the reading is reassuring. And my gut instinct has been trying to tell me that the stuff I'm currently writing about is where I need to be.

Thank you again!

 

[RemRem]

Hi Compass,

Rem here. I'm also a poet, but I haven't published anything yet. I remember a writer in one article who collected rejection letters, and instead of feeling disappointed and discouraged, it became a surprise to receive acceptance. I find it so insightful, I hope it also helps you.

Anyway, here's my take on your reading:

Your question: Why am I even bothering with this [i.e. trying to send my work out?

H18.1.2.3.4 to 21

18 is arresting decay or corruption
it's the feeling of being heartbroken.
arresting also means to heal

You bother submitting your work because

1. There's a part of you that you need to heal. (arresting decay)
2. and you desire to inspire yourself (rouses people) and develop your poetry (nurture character)

3. perhaps the need also to be recognized and be excellent above all rest (ancestral father's corruption)
4. but still within you is wonder and creativity (there is a child)
5. this motivation is perfectly fine (deceased elders are without fault)
6. but it can be all too-consuming (danger); still you will benefit from it (in the end, good fortune)

7. it can also be overprotectiveness of one's work and reputation (ancestral mother's corruption)
8. which sometimes hinders (does not allow for constancy)

9. to be recognized and be excellent (ancestral father's corruption) is a little concern (small regret) and does not affect you that badly (no great mistake)

10. but still you feel this will satisfy your work (comfortable...) it seems unhealthy if you chase it more (going on...shame)

So the Yijing invites you to contemplate on this (H21 Biting through)

11. and backtrack how all of these have transpired (legal proceedings...)
12. so you can understand your motivations (light to punishment...) and how you behaved (enforced laws...)


Coming from being a poet myself, I encourage you to just write more and more, and most of all just enjoy the entire process of writing. (I only share my poems via IG and FB, which almost equal to publishing) This is more rewarding than being published or getting awards, which are a great bonus if we do get them.

Cheers and I hope this reading helps.

Rem

 

[bologna_tendra]

I also write poetry. Maybe you could consult Yi with a question like 'why do I write poetry', because from what you have written it appears that unless editors accept your work you may stop writing, which indicates you write to receive validation - moreover not validation from yourself within yourself, but from these editors. Asking why you place such great stock in these editors, greater than within yourself, might be an interesting and empowering thing to meditate upon, and think about what it is that you wish to get out of all this.

 

[bologna_tendra]

Also I would agree with the previous comments, and suggest you write more - I would write a poem a day without fail every day now until the end of the year as a matter of course and observe the effect. Give yourself to the poetry.

 

[compass]

Thanks, RemRem & bolgna_tendra! Your comments have been very helpful, and I've reflected on them over the past few months. In that time, I've had one acceptance and have also been invited to take part in some Zoom readings, which has been really exciting and meant a great deal. I feel it is a tricky line to walk not to be too focused on getting my poems published. I think it was the poet Seamus Heaney who said that half of the creative process is sharing your work with others.

I do write almost every day and have tried to focus more on what I'm creating and letting go of editors' reactions, which I realize all depends on their personal preference.

I think it's very important we follow our heart, like writing poetry, but it doesn't mean that life's not going to throw up challenges along the way, and getting through that ("biting through") makes our devotion to your passions even that much stronger. I've realized I could not give up writing poetry--it's part of who I am.

Peace.

 

[compass]

PS I also followed bologna_tendra's suggestion and asked, 'Why do I write poetry?' and got 39.3.4 -> 45, which makes a lot of sense: when I can't go forward in life, when it throws up obstacles, I come back and try something new to connect. I've said in the past that poetry is how I communicate with the world and how the world communicates with me, which I think is 'Difficulties' seeking 'Gathering'.

 

[RemRem]

Glad to meet you both, compass and bologna_tendra! Happy to meet you fellow poets in this Yijing space! Hope we can exchange and read each others' works =) It's exciting to know that Yijing inspires creativity and clarity in us!

 

[bologna_tendra]

If you want to communicate with the world through poetry but the editors who are like gatekeepers aren't accepting some of the recent poems, maybe there could be some other vehicle by which you could get the newer poems into contact with the world, some other communication channel perhaps