as an artist
in this country
you can't survive
no matter how hard you strive
after some time
no matter how hard you try
you'll lose your drive
you may even cry
exactly, who are you?
no identity
always retaining anonymity
after all
you've no one to report to
& no one will support you
this is a fact
you must admit
& you must submit
for you have committed yourself
to a profession
nobody understands
nobody needs!
Lin Hsin Hsin
June 16, 1989
Golden Poet Award,
World of Poetry Contest 1990, U.S.A.