02-10-2011, 01:16 AM
When you think about it, Lawrence, there's no alternative than to be receptive to what we say to each other about our poems; afterall, we're all trying to be better at it. If we benefit by what we say, and that's the point even when a poem is misunderstood by the critic--I know this happens in my case from time to time when I critique a poet's work, but there is still something beneficial to be gotten, a better idea or another poem can emerge. One of the problems I've seen in poems I've read, mine included, is that there seems to be a fighting of ideas and conflict with the poet's own intent, namely not sure of what they are saying and feel impelled to throw everything in and hoping they'll hit the mark somewhere. I think it is best to focus on one idea at a time; with many poems I've read on this site, I 've actually seen two or three good or even great poems in one chaotic one. I am not a hunter, but if I were, I would shoot at one animal at a time. One other thing: I've gotten more out of this site than I have in reading books about improving the writer's art or craft. I've never taken a poetry writing class, but have sat in on a few fiction writing classes; honestly, didn't get much at all out of them. We all like to hear praise--helps us to some extent and feeds the ego, of course, but only when the critic can say why something is good or why a phrase works well or how the intent was resoundingly clear-- this is what truly benefits the poet and, conversely, why it doesn't work but can offer very good suggestions on how to improve. I now have a call to the people who read the poetry here, but don't comment on it: Raise your voices and let us know what you truly think about the poetry you're reading. How can we get 40 or 50 reads of a poem and only a few comments and always by the same three or four or five people? I do go on, don't I? But I think what I have to say is important. The other beautiful thing about this site is that it is on the internet and we don't know each other; there's no distraction by someone's physical presence; there's also nothing to be gained or lost monetarily or politically. Ever wonder why meetings at offices with the boss present are usually futile, even ridiculous. No one has the balls to be honest. There is too much perceived pain in that; consequently, we all suffer the feeling of being unclean or dirtied just by being present in those situations. I'm sure you could think of other situations too where this premise might be applied--jim