The Poet In Business Asset or Liability?

Writing for Profit Series (1)

The Poet in Business Asset or Liability? Today, anyone enquiring about a new franchise opportunity from Beatons Tearooms will be asked to read a poem as part of their application process. If you listen to Classic FM youll have absorbed historical facts about composers dressed up as terse verse. If youre tempted buy a tree-house from Treehouselife youll be chanting a poem to christen it. If youre looking online for a haberdashers or a shoe shop in Bromyard youll read a poem about The Velcro Twins which will swiftly enlighten you about the way it serves its customers. Poetry might be something youre unfamiliar or wary of, but in this form it suddenly becomes palatable often raising a smile. Commercial verse seldom makes poetry less accessible. However, it seems to be viewed as a liability rather than an asset by the very institutions and literati campaigning to widen the poetrys reach. This view cost The Poetry Society my membership a small thing but it makes me sad. I like Roger McGough. When he became President of the society in December 2011, I was one of the first to tweet congratulations. This is the man who says, Poetry can be all things; theres room for everything. Almost. Commerce excluded. In The Poetry Society Newsletter interview announcing his appointment he also says, Poetrys never been commercial, we dont need that. With respect, Mr McGough, most struggling poets I know would welcome it. And surely every poet who charges for some of his or her work is involved in commerce. He or she is, in fact, The Poet in Business. Business serves. Art serves. Each can learn from the other. Isnt a carefully crafted poem that inspires, entertains or delights while informing us about a service, product or raison dtre of a business as valid as non-commercial work? Usually commissioned commercial pieces take me far longer to craft and involve working within a strait-jacket of constraints that develop my word-smithing and make the result all the more punchy when it emerges. With more than a little trepidation Id like to plead the case for The Poet in Business not only for the sake of those of us whod like to prove Robert Graves - who said there is no money in poetry - wrong, but also because I believe commerce needs poetry.

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Elizabeth Darcy Jones 24th March 2013

e: elizabethdarcyjones@gmail.com +44 (0) 7940 584752

The Poet In Business Asset or Liability?

Writing for Profit Series (1)

Paul Cameron, CEO of Treehouselife says of the poem he commissioned, It helps make the joy of celebrating completion of one of our tree-houses really memorable to our clients. It's great to support the arts through business in this practical way which is a 'win-win' for both artist and the commissioner.' For the 'Poet in Business' the business of business becomes accessible as subject matter. Is it possible that business verse might serve to inspire, liberate and touch the overwhelmed entrepreneur, employee and employer? Can the poet help enrich of business life and connection? Having come from a City background as a voice coach in which, incidentally, I have always used vocal ditties I see a gap in the market, albeit in a turbulent and demanding environment. To see businessmen giving their undivided attention to sixty seconds poetry at seventhirty in the morning at a networking breakfast is satisfying beyond measure. People are often surprised to hear that notable City figures like Sir Jeremy Morse, Wallace Stevens and Brian Smith have written poetry. Most heartening of all is to see rhyme work its magic often prompting a few lines of creativity before breakfasts over! Roger McGoughs comment spoke to me at a time of deep personal low despite being on the brink of 'commercial (although not financial) success. We value the acknowledgement and encouragement of our peers more than we care to admit. On World Poetry Day 2013 in The Guardian Martha Sprackland said, Every cog in the machine plays its part, every organisation and voice of support and influence is another affirmation to the young poet that they can do it, that their contribution is valid, and I'm glad to be involved in that. Thank you Martha. You've inspired me to write this article despite my age! It is not only the young who need support there are plenty of poets in their forties and fifties who labour to make writing poetry their primary profession. Whats wrong with that? And what wrong with it coming from corporate commissions rather than through teaching or grant funding? Perhaps you, too, are a 'Poet in Business'. Be brave! Announce yourselves! (750 words)

Elizabeth Darcy Jones writes poems for business to inspire business at www.elizabethdarcyjones.com She is also the author of Distinguished Leaves: Poems for tea-lovers published by Quiller September 2011 which has sold over 7,500 copies todate. Commissions welcome!
Elizabeth Darcy Jones 24th March 2013 e: elizabethdarcyjones@gmail.com +44 (0) 7940 584752