For the young who want to by Marge Piercy

This refreshing poem is nearly thirty years old. I had never read Marge Piercy before. In "For the young who want to," the speaker's conclusion is that "Work is its own cure." After you've done something worthwhile, others praise you; but before the result occurs, all you get is criticism. The speaker seems to be pointing out, among other things, a tendency of human nature. Knowing this should forearm creative people against placing too much stock in what people say. Self-reliance is much more important than paying any mind to the "labels" other like to stick on you, whether they be talented, bum, delusional, sadist, etc.