a point arose about this is not poetry

[Apophrades]

I don't even see the word separate in that text you quote. That text refers to the fact that everything I say comes from me, my unique vantage point - IOW, even though I try to call the pope and consult with Jesus Christ everytime i express something, both are too busy so it comes from me. How does this in any way contradict anything else i have ever said?

"Everything I say comes from me, my unique vantage point" - do you not see how there can be confusion when you say that, and "Your writing should stand alone, poem is not you etc." But I realise what you mean to say. If I wanted to be nit-picky I would say: politicians and celebrities get criticised about their appearance all the time, usually from people they have no idea exist. It has never been a question of proximity. Like I said, they are all sign systems, but of course you would elevate writing, I wouldn't expect otherwise on a poetry forum.

nope. You stay with your clothing and hair to help defend them from others. Writing /needs/ to stand on its own, it is one of the first and most difficult lessons for aspiring writers to learn.

Before aspiring writers can ever learn what to improve or how to improve, they need to learn that they need to improve. This is a painful process that most never get to.

I can tell you because I have been through the process and because I have seen over and over the cycle of denial that aspiring writers absolutely need to get through this. I am guessing your time hasn't come yet.

Again, learning THAT they need to improve does not have to be so "negative." e.g. someone might show me writing that is better, greater than mine.

Perhaps, because of course I don't know your story, this "cycle of denial" came from those who didn't have the intention to see you improve, they were just common readers simply reacting to what they read, publishers who didn't think it would draw attention, a myriad of reasons, but none included to see you improve, because honestly why would they give a shit. This is where the role of the mentor/teacher/peer study group whatever, comes in.

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"not a bad meal dear just needs a bit more salt though"

oh thank you dear, here's the salt.

now on poetry.

"not a bad poem dear, need a bit of work on the punctuation though"

"you bastard, i want a divorce and i want it know you callous person you"

You're looking at it through the lens of a poet. A chef would take more offense to the first than the second. I guess this is the "Ego" at play.