Poetry Tip: Don't Communicate

[Todd]

I'm not sure if this is relevant to this particular thread, but I am finding that the advice I am receiving on here mainly consists of 'cutting out dead-wood'...I, obviously, suffer from a tendency to labour the point. But, where does the scalpel stop cutting?
It reminds me of this old story. A village grocer puts up a sign saying 'Fresh Fish On Sale Here To-day' His first customer says 'Fine sign, Claude. But, you don't need the word 'Fresh' we know you wouldn't be selling stale fish' the customer doesn't buy any. Claude crosses out 'Fresh'. The next customers says 'Fine sign, Claude. But, you don't need the words 'On Sale' we know that you won't be giving them away.' the customer doesn't buy any. Claude crosses out 'On Sale'. The next customer says'blah, blah, blah you don't need the word To-day, we know you won't be selling them tomorrow (or yesterday)'. he also doesn't buy any. Claude crosses out the word To-day. The next customer says ' blah, blah, blah you don't need the word 'Here' where else would you selling 'em?' He doesn't buy any. Claude crosses out the word 'Here'. He is left with the word 'Fish'.....it is the end of the day. He doesn't need the sign. You can smell the fish from miles away!

Bye, grannyjill

Jill,

Sometimes it may seem that all we do is chip away at words until were left with some minimalist thing. Your comment kind of holds the answer though: you cut out dead wood. Poems can be any length and they don't have to use the minimum words to express an idea. All the word choices though have to hold their own. They have to matter. Poems shouldn't have filler in them, and often we have to train ourselves to remove filler, cliches, or anything else that deadens the power of language.

Just my thoughts,

Todd