A Poet's Self Obsession

At open mic poetry readings, poets sit and listen as a poet read patiently waiting their turn, but are they really listening? I recently discovered that many don't. There are two types of poets that attend open mics. The first type is the poet who comes to read and could care less about other poets who come to read. They just want to be heard. The second type is the poet who shows up to share and actually stay and listen. They're the poets who realize that poetry is a give and take. And then there's a third type--those who come just to listen. The audience usually consist of friends of the poet, would-be poets or the reader themselves.  I'm somewhere in the middle. That's because I think my poetry sounds better on the page and doesn't translate well when spoken. At least that's what I rationalize when I go to open mics to hear others read while I gather courage to go on stage. But secretly, my inner shyness rears it head and renders me mute. When I read my own poetry, words that easily roll 'internally' off my tongue sounds out loud like I'm gargling marbles. And then there's the fear that my poetry won't be understood even though I take great pains to make it so. But we know it takes a good ear to listen. Yet, many times we're constantly filtering internal and external distractions that even one word or missed verse can mean a world difference in understanding. Also, I'm told I'm literary. What exactly does that mean? Could it be my words don't roll out like heavy artillery, doesn't rush the stage, and rip the door off hinges?  Stage poets, in my opinion, box themselves in with over-wrought themes and I suspect many don't even stretch their literary chops beyond the thesaurus and their own writing pad.   Is poetry that self-obsessed?  Sometimes it seems it is.  I see poets who are obsessed with their own greatness or their own uniqueness.  Their sense of self-importance becomes an ode to their passion, to their love of the craft.  Personally I think some should expand their repetoire. It would serve them well. Passion after awhile gets stale and stagnant and stifle creativity when not stretched beyond literary boundaries. Good poetry engages the audience beyond the finger snaps and hand claps and doesn't sell itself out to the highest bidder. Sadly, it is poets who truly have something to share that are ignored in favor of the crowd pleasers. My open mic experiences lead me to believe poets are sub cultures of a larger community of opportunists hoping to become the next iconoclastic superstars. Nothing is wrong with that if it's the poet's intent to sincerely share their talents with the world at large. However I get the sneaky feeling that poets are largely more self-absorbed than sincere.  Reading and then leaving right after, showing obvious lack of support for peers, shameless plugs and self-promotion is what I witness far more than the genuine camaraderie as poets gather. For me, this is a natural turn off. And as far as performances go, readings then become just a celebration of the poet's ego.