07-14-2014, 05:39 AM
Some people want to write poetry to express their feelings. And feelings are always abstract. A poem of expressed feelings is a poem. Using words that only conjure vague abstract ideas is still using words. Anyone can do it. There's nothing wrong with doing it. Anyone can write a poem, and every poem is a poem, and everyone that writes a poem is a poet. The worst poems are still poems, the worst poets are still poets, some of the best poets are dull. Their poems are dull. I can tear poems apart all day, it doesn't help me or the poet. Bad poems are everywhere. The best that a poet can do is rarely good enough. There are not many great poets, just a bunch or good ones and a bunch more of bad ones. Abstract or concrete words and ideas, a poet can use any words or ideas they need to or want to. Abstractions are no better or worse than anything else. Great poetry is rare, concrete images or not
Or to say it more simply: If you can't write worth a shit, nothing you write will work, whether you claim it's supposed to be abstract or whatever. An abstract poem that makes no sense can be a great poem if you can write. If you can't write, no one will like it; you'll doubt it yourself, or you'll be full of confidence about it. It doesn't matter. Poems come alive or they don't. A great poet can make a poem come alive on a whim. But most popular poets aren't even that good.
Or to say it more simply: If you can't write worth a shit, nothing you write will work, whether you claim it's supposed to be abstract or whatever. An abstract poem that makes no sense can be a great poem if you can write. If you can't write, no one will like it; you'll doubt it yourself, or you'll be full of confidence about it. It doesn't matter. Poems come alive or they don't. A great poet can make a poem come alive on a whim. But most popular poets aren't even that good.