Should poets have a union and pay union dues?

[busker]

Nothing works that is not forced
I can’t hire a Vietnamese construction crew to build a house in Central Park because for that I’d need to own the land, get permits, and get visas for the crew
So why should it be any different for poetry?

You should be a member of a poetry guild to write. Or pay a fine.
The guild could accept or reject you. 
A number of these guilds would form a master guild with a full time administrative layer.

Small business owners should be taxed to fund this. They’re philistines anyway (no offence to the actual philistines and sea peoples in the Bronze Age who resisted the savage invading Israelites)

[milo]

Nothing works that is not forced
I can’t hire a Vietnamese construction crew to build a house in Central Park because for that I’d need to own the land, get permits, and get visas for the crew
So why should it be any different for poetry?

You should be a member of a poetry guild to write. Or pay a fine.
The guild could accept or reject you. 
A number of these guilds would form a master guild with a full time administrative layer.

Small business owners should be taxed to fund this. They’re philistines anyway (no offence to the actual philistines and sea peoples in the Bronze Age who resisted the savage invading Israelites)

Does this mean poets will start collecting pay?  Also - how will you define a a poet in your New Utopia™?

[Quixilated]

I think that would only result in creating Vogon poetry or worse.
Unfortuntately (and by that I mean fortunately), poetry is one of those things that humans will do whether you tell them they can or not.  It's like music or religion.  The more you repress it, the faster it grows. You could tell people that only the approved musicians are making the real music. You can tell them that all other music isn't music.  But people will still hum and whistle and make up little ditties or sing lullabies or around the fire or in the shower.  They will sneak out at night to play anything other than the approved music to secret crowds in ever-changing locations.
If poetry suddenly had to be officially regulated, then you can be sure the absolute best poetry will only be found in the hidden corners among the unapproved. Poetry always has and always will belong to the untamed.

[busker]

Does this mean poets will start collecting pay?  Also - how will you define a a poet in your New Utopia™?

Yeah, with an enforcement arm of sorts. 
You write a birthday poem to your woman and aren’t a union member, you get a severed hallmark card in the post next day.
I’m against such violence, but people gotta pay

---

I think that would only result in creating Vogon poetry or worse.
Unfortuntately (and by that I mean fortunately), poetry is one of those things that humans will do whether you tell them they can or not.  It's like music or religion.  The more you repress it, the faster it grows. You could tell people that only the approved musicians are making the real music. You can tell them that all other music isn't music.  But people will still hum and whistle and make up little ditties or sing lullabies or around the fire or in the shower.  They will sneak out at night to play anything other than the approved music to secret crowds in ever-changing locations.
If poetry suddenly had to be officially regulated, then you can be sure the absolute best poetry will only be found in the hidden corners among the unapproved. Poetry always has and always will belong to the untamed.

I think you’re right in that if you just let people write, they will write without paying union dues
Maybe cutting off supply is the first step. Confiscate all stationery

[Quixilated]

If you want a poetry revival, make poetry illegal.

Writers aren't known for having money. How much are these dues? Who collects the dues? What is done with the collected money? Does it build a poetry hall of fame? Does it go to scholarships for poetry majors?

Is anyone writing poems on stationery these days? I wonder how many members here compose on actual paper before posting?

[RiverNotch]

Poetry union is fine, but you know what would be truly epic? A poetry vanguard party

[dukealien]

Sorry, I misread that and thought it said, "Should pets have a union?"

[milo]

Sorry, I misread that and thought it said, "Should pets have a union?"

a more interesting question to be sure

[busker]

Writers aren't known for having money.

Nobody has the money, until the enforcer shows up

“You wrote: “do the crime, do the time” on Truth Social yesterday. That’s a rhyme and you haven’t paid your union dues.”
“Ok, ok, I don’t have a dime, but I promise never to rhyme.”
{muffled thumps}