Why Don’t You Write A Play?

Joseph Rudyard Kipling [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudyard_Kipling] (1865–1936) was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist. He was born in India, which inspired much of his work. He wrote one of my favorite poems about the struggle with creative vanity.

THE PRESS by Rudyard Kipling

Why don’t you write a play — Why don’t you cut your hair? Do you trim your toe-nails round Or do you trim them square? Tell it to the papers, Tell it every day. But, en passant, may I ask Why don’t you write a play?

What’s your last religion? Have you got a creed? Do you dress in Jaeger-wool Sackcloth, silk or tweed? Name the books that helped you On the path you’ve trod. Do you use a little g When you write of God?

Do you hope to enter Fame’s immortal dome? Do you put the washing out Or have it done at home? Have you any morals? Does your genius burn? Was you wife a what’s its name? How much did she earn?

Had your friend a secret Sorrow, shame or vice — Have you promised not to tell What’s your lowest price? All the housemaid fancied All the butler guessed Tell it to the public press And we will do the rest.

Why don’t you write a play?