For the young who want to
By Marge Piercy
Talent is what they say you have
after the novel is published
and favorably reviewed.
Beforehand what you have is
a tedious delusion,
a hobby like knitting.
Work is what you have done
after the play is produced
and the audience claps.
Before that friends keep asking
when you are planning to go
out and get a job.
Genius is what they know you
had after