Wow.... you truly are quite full of yourself. You CLAIM others are 'puffing themselves up' but thus far that is what we are seeing from YOU. This is an internet message board, a point you seem not to understand. You come on here and say 'I'm black, gay, a poet, up for poet laureate of Houston'. When someone points out that ANYONE can claim ANYTHING on here, you immediately fall into 'oh, what, you don't think a black gay liberal can accomplish 'x''??? Which goes right back to a comment someone made after your announcing your race and sexual preferences.... you appear to have done so in order to use that as your standard response to anyone who questions you. Which is pathetic.
As to your questions as to whether anyone has read your poetry, the obvious answer is that NONE of us know. Because at this point, you are just an anonymous poster who calls himself 'poet'. If you want people to comment on your work, you have to put it forth or tell us who you are so that we may look for it ourselves. If you are not willing to share the personal information necessary to find your poetry, then do shut up about it. Because quite frankly, it matters little when it comes to discussing politics on a political message board.
I can assure you, there is no one here "as full of themselves", as I am....and for good reason. I'm smarter than most...and after 58 years, I see things quite clearly.
I know that just flies in the face of most. Barack Obama experienced the same thing. He was smarter than the average bear, and you know how one of the worst things a black man can be is "knowledgeable" and "intelligent"...so immediately, he was attacked, much as I am. But I'm not claiming to be a victim, because I can handle it...just left a forum where the exact same thing happened. I make folks uncomfortable, because I direct them to the truth, which they would rather not deal with.
Obviously, my candid description of myself, put you and others on the defensive, because you obviously have issues surrounding race and sexual preference...while others could care less, and filed away the information , instead of making it an issue, as you're doing now.
Another thing is honesty. To me, it's the most important thing, for a variety of reasons. I don't lie. When you are unashamed and living in your truth, there is no reason to lie. On the contrary, I'm an open book. Maybe it's a liberal thing. I have yet to find a Republican or conservative who could tell the truth, about anything.
So, when asked to clarify the reason I chose my ID, Poet...I answered truthfully and candidly..but that wasn't enough for some. Some poster chose to post his poetry from when he was 17, I guess as a "pissing contest" challenge. I have nothing to prove. My book is out of print, and the remaining copies are in my closet, and on my hard drive. I'm in the process of publishing my second, an e-book of poetry as well as my sophomore music cd. Which will be available for purchase in the near future.
And your suggestions will be taken under advisement, but I can tell you now, I don't respond well to demands or discourtesy. As for shutting up, about anything...you're always free to put me on ignore.