Dear Sher:
You said, "However, other than having my work published for free (with a short bio and link to my site), I'm beginning to realize there just isn't a market for my work.

Should I try to write with becoming published as my main goal? And how in the world do I know what that magic topic would be? I write because I have to, because I love it and because it's cheaper than therapy. But I want to see my name in print at some point in this life other than in my obituary."

Oh, Sher, I think you're getting discouraged way too early. The best poets and writers got started publishing for "free." It has a long reputable tradition in the literary world--almost none of those literary and poetry journals pay out dollars excepting for their contests. If you've been published at all, that is an affirmation of your work.

Having said that, of course write for yourself. But doesn't that include costantly working at improving your craft. So has you get "craftier" you might end up selling something. I sold my first poem only a couple of months ago--you know, actual DOLLARS. But many have been published in very fine journals. I consider that "writing for myself" and then, with luck (and lots of that trying-not-to-get-discouraged business called perserverance) I just may "sell" a second poem and then a third. By the way, some of the poems I've "given" away have carry far more prestige with the journal names than the one that paid! Ha!
Best,