For shame...Stealing a personal contest and attaching gold onto it as
bait. Poetry is the trade of the pauper, not of the rich. And leading
anyone to believe otherwise is a bastardization of the entire concept.

Poetry is the voice of the scholar, the revolutionary, the artist, and
the common denizen of the world. Poetry is not here for your amusement.
Its here because those like me can't help but do it. Sure, others can
apprecaiate it once it is done, but a poet doesn't write for the
entertainment of others. One that writes for the sole purpose of
impressing a crowd of people or making a quick gold piece can only hope
to cheapen themselves in the end, no matter how good their poetry looks
on paper or sounds when spoken.

The only reason I challenge another poet is for a little camaraderie and
a bit of prestige. Not for money. Attaching gold value to a poem is
useless. For those who only understand gold can not appreciate something
truly priceless. Many never would have posted a thing on the poetry
boards but instead let their greed rule them. And as a true poet this
only sickens me and only serves to pervert the true spirit of the poet.
Let a poet write because they wish to, not in the interest of money.
Think of me as a sort of prude if you wish, I don't care. But take your
money elsewhere.

Volpe

Penned by my hand on the 12th of Fas, in the year 435 AD.