Five Common Mistakes That Novice Poets Make

[rayheinrich]

there are more, 6th could be

thinking you written a great poem...the odds are you haven't

The cool thing about poetry is that everyone can interpret poems in their own way.  A "great poem" is different in the eyes of so many people.  What makes a "great" poem in my opinion, is one that triggers some sort of emotion within YOU, (the writer)...which can often by misinterpreted by others.  So, when you think you've written a great poem....the odds are, you HAVE. 

Here's a two-step technique to avoid undue effort, to prevent being bothered by boring mistakes,
to confidently write a great poem every time, and to never suffer the indignation of being misinterpreted:

1. Never let anyone else read your poetry.
2. Never read any of your own that's more than a day old.

I practiced this technique for many years with excellent results.
But alas, it requires discipline. I was weak, neglected its practice, and was cast from Eden.

"Beware the tree of knowledge; while it bears sweet fruit, eating it usually proves pretty fucking disastrous." - Suomy Nona