Poetry Workshopping

[Todd]

Commentators, in fact, should begin reading a work with the expectation that the poem is perfect, meaning that poem does exactly what is trying to do.

I'm not sure how much I will contribute to all the points raised, but I do not approach any poem with an expectation that it is perfect. The very act of putting it in a workshop would lead me to believe quite the opposite.

I approach the poem hoping that it will be excellent, and noting each place I subjectively think it falls short--which always disappoints me. I try to be careful in the critiquing process to stay true to the writer's style and not rewrite their poem (which is an area that scares me about too much back and forth commentary).

I guess my overall thought to this entire thread is that feedback is a gift. I don't believe the person offering critique is obligated in any way to the writer. The writer is not obligated to agree with the critique, but they should recognize the time spent on their poem.

My initial thoughts