To be a poet is a condition, not a profession

To be a poet is a condition, not a profession

Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, once said, “To be a poet is a condition, not a profession.” This statement encapsulates the essence of what it means to be a poet – it is not just a job or a career choice, but a way of being, a state of mind, a calling that one cannot simply walk away from.

For Frost, being a poet was not something he chose to do, but something he was compelled to do. His poetry was a reflection of his innermost thoughts, feelings, and experiences, a way for him to make sense of the world around him and to communicate his deepest emotions to others. Frost’s poems are filled with vivid imagery, profound insights, and a deep sense of connection to nature and the human experience.

In many ways, Frost’s words ring true for all poets, not just himself. To be a poet is to see the world in a different light, to be attuned to the beauty and the pain that surrounds us, to be able to capture the essence of a moment in a few carefully chosen words. It is a way of looking at the world that is both deeply personal and universal, a way of expressing the inexpressible, of giving voice to the voiceless.

Being a poet is not something that can be taught or learned – it is a gift, a talent that one is born with. It is a way of seeing and experiencing the world that is unique to each individual poet, a way of expressing oneself that is as individual as a fingerprint. And while some poets may choose to make a career out of their writing, for many, being a poet is simply a part of who they are, a way of being in the world that cannot be separated from their identity.