Many poets never publish their work. The poet who gains this courage is sometimes like a different person who arises inside, gaining courage and decides to take a chance on the world, like the young driver or flier who first goes solo out onto the road or into the sky. Going solo, or publishing, could be terrifying or exhilarating, but is most often the latter. People who read poetry are among the nicest people in the world, and are pleased that a new poet has presented his or her work for their pleasure. When the poet publishes and receives encouragement, he has gained a public and a readership to write for.
Nothing encourages a talker more than an active listener.
Nothing encourages a poet more than a responsive reader. Just as the rancher goes out in all weather to care for his cows, the poet comes to know his readers and their responses, and gains further inspiration from them. Each step in writing and publishing is a part of a growth process. There comes a point when the poet sees other writers as peers rather than icons. When the poet gets to the top of that ladder, he may realize that his best and most valuable criticism and support comes from the people who have known him all along.