About Critique

[Todd]

I love a poem that gives me something I haven't read before - a new way at looking at something, a fresh metaphor, a clever construction.  I've read a lot of poems and no longer expect an epiphany, but I do like to come across a different point of view.  Subtlety is important for me too - poetry should have layers, not just be straightforward otherwise why not just write a news report?

I critique because with every new piece I read, I learn something either about the world, or about myself.  Close reading often helps to order your own thoughts.  So basically, I critique because I'm selfish.

I agree. I like how critique slows you down and makes you approach the poem carefully. I have learned much more from the poem through close reading.