William, Somehow, I have miscommunicated.

I agree with all you say. Poetry is my life now. I don’t do it for money. I don’t do it for readers (although I like to be read). I do it because it’s what I do every day.

I am well aware that most great poets were not best sellers. I have read most of them. Have been for 50 years. The same is true now. Most well-known, prize winning poets get by on readings, workshops and teaching. That’s just the way it is.

There are many good poets here. I don’t think I am “more popular here than poetry itself.” I’m not even sure what that means.

If I came across as “overweening or cavalier,” that was not my intention. Nor did I intend to offend you or anyone else.