Critique and Feedback -- please discuss

[Indie]

The primary, as well as indispensable "rule" for valid poetry critique is to (as it is stated here) critique the poem and not the writer. I offer the following as ways I make that distinction.

I try and make two distinctions when critiquing: what is objectively problematic with the poem, and what I think might be improved stylistically, which I note is purely personal. I try to stay away from commenting on the content in terms of agreeing with or disagreeing with it (of course sometimes I can't resists, but I will generally note that it has nothing to do with the critique). I acknowledge when I am aware of having a bias in a certain area (I do not consider that one should strive towards good grammar usage as a bias).

Finally, if I cannot read something without taking it personally, or becoming angry, then I should probably not offer a critique.

I completely agree with you here, on all points. How we feel about a poet should not affect the way we critique their work. And a poem that provokes us in an emotional way should be left alone from a critique, as there is no way we can approach it objectively, which is the point of a critique, to remain objective in our advice.