06-17-2015, 09:49 AM
ahh . . . what to do with critique. On the one hand, everyone is talking about you and your poem - you are the belle of the ball - but still, some think perhaps it could be better(?!) What is this? My beautiful poem could be even better? Poppycock!
So, anyway, I know many think of a poem as a written, static entity. Perhaps I could move this comma, change a line break, etc. They nod politely and thank you for the hour or so you spent reading their poem thoughtfully and carefully devising a critique that wouldn't send them running to hit the "report" button but was still helpful, while moving on with their lives.
Did you know there are sites out there that won't let you post a revised version until months have passed. REVISIONS TAKE TIME AND DISTANCE - they decree and cast these words as dogma. They will repeat them forcefully until you, too, start repeating the mantra. Is this true? Is it impossible to improve a poem until months have passed?
Here are my thoughts - we are a social community here. We could be focused on birds but instead we are focused on poetry. We like talking about it for some unknown reason. We will often fight about it for reasons known only to those who have been here. If you see a suggestion that makes you think of a way to make your poem better, why not try it? Try it as soon as it occurs to you. if you don't like it, change it back - or try something else. The original is never truly gone anymore. billy has sworn a blood oath to me that pigpenpoetry.com will archive my posts through eternity. If you would like to acknowledge your inspiration or help or whatever, a "thank you" goes far or, a return critique goes farther or, paying it forward to the next member goes farther still.
Have i begun rambling yet? Wait, where are my chops and beer?
So, anyway, I know many think of a poem as a written, static entity. Perhaps I could move this comma, change a line break, etc. They nod politely and thank you for the hour or so you spent reading their poem thoughtfully and carefully devising a critique that wouldn't send them running to hit the "report" button but was still helpful, while moving on with their lives.
Did you know there are sites out there that won't let you post a revised version until months have passed. REVISIONS TAKE TIME AND DISTANCE - they decree and cast these words as dogma. They will repeat them forcefully until you, too, start repeating the mantra. Is this true? Is it impossible to improve a poem until months have passed?
Here are my thoughts - we are a social community here. We could be focused on birds but instead we are focused on poetry. We like talking about it for some unknown reason. We will often fight about it for reasons known only to those who have been here. If you see a suggestion that makes you think of a way to make your poem better, why not try it? Try it as soon as it occurs to you. if you don't like it, change it back - or try something else. The original is never truly gone anymore. billy has sworn a blood oath to me that pigpenpoetry.com will archive my posts through eternity. If you would like to acknowledge your inspiration or help or whatever, a "thank you" goes far or, a return critique goes farther or, paying it forward to the next member goes farther still.
Have i begun rambling yet? Wait, where are my chops and beer?