A Writer's Tale
Which would you rather be: a big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond?
A friend from the Big Apple once again asked me
You’re a big fish in a small pond, but are you happy?
No reason on earth, I quipped, why I shouldn’t be
I choose the theme and write stories that I fancy
I get to proof my words on the galley for quality
Colleagues, readers and I meet for coffee occasionally.
My dear, dear friend from Queens was ever bold
Echoing to me his age-old witchery of gleam and gold
A small-pond big fish earns paltry pennies, is that a hoard?
A big-pond small fish gets pretty pennies, imagine per word
My dear, dear friend’s persuasion started to take hold
Until the charm of earning per word got me sold.
Unable to swim, I dived into the big pond
Unable to skate, I skated through the brand
Unable to dance, I waltzed into success land
Pretty pennies per word pounded my wallet hard
Pretty pennies per word went through my hand like sand
As living and existing in a big pond cost a mountain of grand.
When my dear, dear friend caught up with me, finally
Full of hurt, he bitched at me well and truly, interminably
You haven’t returned my calls, he griped, can’t even meet for coffee
How can I, says me, when I have commitments morning to evening daily
Meetings, revising, launching, signing, promoting to get me more money
And now I have to leave you, my big-time friend, for my stress therapy.
And leave I did my friend and niche in the Big Apple
But first not without a whale of a plate of waffle
Pretty pennies per word percolating in my shuffle
As my stress-tormented psyche is forever on a warble
Not exiting the big pond to be a big fish would be a gamble
I’d rather be a fry in the ocean with sound mind to amble.
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Thank you for reading this tongue-in-cheek poem. I appreciate it.
Find me on -
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About the Creator
Josephine Crispin
Writer, editor, and storyteller who reinvented herself and worked in the past 10 years in the media intelligence business, she's finally free to write and share her stories, fiction and non-fiction alike without constraints, to the world.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Comments (4)
The age old question: do we write because we have something to say or to make a quick buck? Nicely done, Josephine.
I agree. There is a trade-off and writing because you want to and keeping your integrity, your realness - is there any monetary value that can equal that?
Wow 😮 This Is Awesome 👍 with Great Concepts and Insight💯♥️📝✌️😉
Hey! I just wanted to let you know I featured your piece in my article. <3 This is an amazing poem that I thought should be shared with more people! https://vocal.media/writers/fantastical-vocal-favorites-vol-1