Prophets and Losses
I decided to take a year for my writing,
and went to the bank
to ask for a loan.
If I didn\'t have the stress of work
I could devote myself to my writing.
I hoped that by the end of the twelve months
I would have something I could publish,
a novel, a collection of short stories.
enough poems for a volume.
I was shown through to the bank manager\'s office
and told to take a seat.
As he glared at me, I detailed my plan,
for pouring my soul into my writing
to get it all down and out of my system
and then to attempt publishing.
What\'s your estimated turn-over for year one?
He asked, peering at me over his glasses.
About two hundred and fifty. I replied, proudly.
Is that pounds or Dollars?
Pages. I said.
No, you\'re misunderstanding. What\'s your margin? he asked.
It\'s a narrow column that runs down the side of the page.
I said.
It was at that point I was thrown out of the bank.