Quote Origin: The People Who Say They Like Poetry and Never

If you’ve been moved by the story of Kenneth Patchen’s unforgettable barroom declaration about poetry buyers, then it’s time to put your money where your literary values are and start building a collection worth being proud of. A wonderful place to begin is with a [book](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0811201406?tag=wheretoback0a-20) by Patchen himself, so you can experience firsthand the raw, working-class voice that produced one of literature’s most honest critiques of literary consumers. For those who want to cast a wider net across the poetic tradition, a rich [poetry anthology collection](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143121480?tag=wheretoback0a-20) offers an excellent survey of voices that deserve your financial support just as much as Fitzmichael Kell deserved his three sold copies. If you enjoy the thrill of hunting through dusty shelves the way the blog’s author did, having access to [secondhand book finding tools](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1790832756?tag=wheretoback0a-20) can help you track down rare and out-of-print volumes that would otherwise escape your notice entirely. Supporting the smallest corners of the literary world is equally important, and picking up [independent poetry chapbooks](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GLZ2YZY4?tag=wheretoback0a-20) is one of the most direct ways to put money into the hands of poets who are grinding away just as Patchen once did. If you’re a writer yourself who has complained about the lack of paying markets, a well-worn copy of the [Writers Market guide](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593332032?tag=wheretoback0a-20) will show you just how many opportunities exist for those willing to submit their work consistently and professionally. There is also something deeply satisfying about owning beautifully aged volumes, and browsing [vintage poetry collections](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400030935?tag=wheretoback0a-20) allows you to hold history in your hands while honoring the poets who came long before the digital age made everything feel disposable. To keep yourself inspired between reading sessions, a set of [vintage motivational quote stickers](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ9DWDQS?tag=wheretoback0a-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) featuring typewriter-style literary sayings can transform your journal or planner into a daily reminder of why words matter so much. Displaying your most treasured volumes with care is also a meaningful gesture, and a hand-carved [decorative book stand](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ARCRGNK?tag=wheretoback0a-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) gives your favorite poetry collection the kind of reverent presentation it truly deserves on your shelf or desk. If you’re lucky enough to attend a reading or book fair where a poet is selling copies directly from a table, having [author book signing supplies](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX34QC6C?tag=wheretoback0a-20) on hand means you’ll be ready to get that personal inscription that makes a purchased copy infinitely more meaningful. Finally, don’t overlook the quiet brilliance found in [small press poetry books](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1887123873?tag=wheretoback0a-20), which represent exactly the kind of independent literary effort that Patchen championed throughout his life, and buying one is perhaps the most fitting tribute you can pay to his legendary barroom philosophy.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Quote Origin: The People Who Say They Like Poetry and Never Buy Any Are Cheap SOB’s

Recommended Reading