In many ways, the work of a critic is easy.

We risk very little,

Yet enjoy a position of those who offer up their work and themselves to our judgement.

We thrive on negative criticism,

Which is fun to write and to read.

But a bitter truth we critics must face,

Is that in the grand scheme of things is the average piece of junk 

Is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating ourselves.

But there are times when a critic truly risk something,

And that is in the discovery and defense of the new.

The world is often unkind to new talents, new creations.

The new needs friends.