I agree with much of what Sandra Beasley says here about why she writes.  And as Ted Kooser says, writing poetry doesn't cause much active harm in the world.

http://dbrookshire.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-do-i-write-sandra-beasley.html

Also, check out this free D.C. event at The Writer's Center in Bethesda on Friday.

http://blog.32poems.com/716/32-poems-magazine-the-caribbean-writers-center/

I found out a month late (by letter was sent to the wrong address), but I was selected as a semi-finalist for the "Discovery"/Boston Review 2008 Contest.  Although I was not a finalist, I do feel a little more confident I'm moving in the right direction with my poetry.  Web sites:  http://blog.92y.org/index.php/weblog/item/discovery_boston_review_2008_poetry_contest_winners/

and http://www.92y.org/content/literary_programs.asp#3

I have a poem in Bent Pin Quarterly:

http://web.mac.com/mistryel/Bent_Pin_Quarterly/Bent_Pin_Quarterly_.html