Unsolicited advice for poets

I really like this piece, both as a poem and as advice, and as a statement.

Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by AsIf on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 (14:31:33)

Thank you Kylebank. I am glad you said so. Take care.


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amen!

who knew Perry the Platypus was so brilliant?

Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by AsIf on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 (19:50:07)

Mr. wordsmith..thanks for the amen! And Perry the Platypus does kick ass.


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Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by butterflyzrfree on Friday, March 30, 2012 (10:51:59)

O I am scared....


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Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by AsIf on Friday, March 30, 2012 (11:07:55)

You only need to be scared if you are Heinz Doofenshmirtz. And you don't look like him.


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Needs a lot of work.

Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by AsIf on Friday, March 30, 2012 (11:06:40)

What do you suggest?


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Let me say the poem has good rhythm, about the message, I think many, like me (not native English speaker) come here to learn. And many are novices in the art of words. And it takes courage and humbleness to publish a not so good poem with the intention of being heard. After all why do we write? Isn't it to be heard. I admire people who have the talent to write great, and I wish I could write like them, however, don't I have the right to try? Don't I have the right to be respected for that? And so I respect your poem, even though I do not agree with it. Poetry might die, if the good writers don't encourage others to work. If we don't share we don't learn. After all knowledge comes from sharing of information, isn't it so?

Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by doris on Saturday, March 31, 2012 (11:26:50)

Hi, zhaul, I don't know you and forgive me if you would have rather that I didn't comment on this. I think you have very good points about having the right to try. I am reminded of that all the time when I travel around the world. My language skills are so poor, but I try my best to communicate. The encouragement that I receive from the person in front of me is what keeps me trying. But I read this poem differently than you seemed to be reading it. I do think the second stanza, although I agree that reading helps me immensely in my writing, is advice I don't think I'd give. Perhaps there are those people that can write without reading extensively. But the other advice seems sound. People do respect a writer more when the writer has bothered to spell check. It really is such a simple thing and has nothing to do with whether a person comes from another country or not. I don't know. The criticism of this poem just seems to be less about the poem and more about the poet. I guess that comes with the territory too. I like what you have to say about growth. I think that it is an important point. I am more of a point out what is good and go from there kind of critic, a gentle nudger. I learned that from a women in my writing group. It does make for faster learning. I hope to read more of you, zhaul.


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Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by zoe_in_a_bubble on Saturday, March 31, 2012 (11:30:01)

zhaul, I think this is more about those more worried about read counts and ratings. Races to fill pages before proof reading. You always post in workshop ( which I am guilty of not doing pretty often ) and are open to feedback. To use or not. Kudos


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Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by zoe_in_a_bubble on Saturday, March 31, 2012 (11:32:41)

oops, I see Doris has said it much more eloquently and speedier...hehehehe. I had some pauses to ref in the wrestling ring that is my living room A good day to you all!


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Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by Phoebe on Monday, April 02, 2012 (16:09:02)

This is a great write.. - Phoebe


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Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by AsIf on Monday, April 02, 2012 (16:12:21)

zhaul, I thank you for such a cogent reply. I understand that English is not your first language. But you have attained much higher proficiency than many here in the U.S. where English is the primary language. I don't have a problem with someone who is still learning the language, and I applaud the courage and determination of those who work on it and put their work out there for critique.

My problem is with lazy writers who don't edit, don't spellcheck, and don't understand the subject about which they are writing. They are always willing to accept unearned praise from dozens of fawning toadies and so-called friends. But the moment someone like me dares to offer a constructive suggestion, they become rude and reactionary.


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Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by zhaul on Monday, April 02, 2012 (17:55:41)

I know, and I can't disagree. Art to be it, has to have knowledge, profound knowledge of the materials to be used, in this case words and for that matter, Grammar, Spelling, etc. Dedication, time and effort. Erich Fromm stated art needs care, responsibility, respect and knowledge to be art. Now how do we define what this words mean?


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Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by AsIf on Monday, April 02, 2012 (21:45:06)

Fromm didn't like Freud, so he must have been onto something. I have enjoyed your points of view, zhaul, and I hope you will feel free to reply whenever you wish.


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Well, the comments on this piece are interesting to say the least.(I hated when my professors said such things!) When I read this poem without all the blood from the back stabbing, it reads like a list of "unsolicited advice". For me unsolicited comes with the terrain of putting any kind of writing out there to the public. The good and the bad can come our way. That is the risk of publishing our words for the world to see and judge. Some of this advice is very good advice indeed for anyone hoping to avoid the bad kind of criticism. That first stanza is one that I remind myself all the time. Spellcheck and a dictionary on my desk have become my friends. The third stanza is brilliant. It reminds me of advice I was given in my government classes. I know too that by having an opinion that isn't about attacking you as a person will get me stoned from some, but that too is the risk that one takes when one types anything into a computer. Chin up, AsIf.

Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by zoe_in_a_bubble on Saturday, March 31, 2012 (11:21:45)

amen


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Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by AsIf on Monday, April 02, 2012 (16:14:27)

Doris..well stated, and thank you very much.


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The reason some care so much about your words....there once was an anonymous rater who would give 1s and 2s to beautiful well written poems. We are all entitled to our own opinions and your poem is a good example of that. I think poems are based on pure unadulterated emotion. And if this is how you feel. VOICE it loud and proud.

Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by AsIf on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 (01:29:53)

Thank you Libs. You are encouraging.


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a fabulous lil poem...says a lot that needs to be said on any poetry forum....
i guess the mod should be encouraged to put in the forum rules section as a witty lil intro to poetry.

my my...its been well read and adequately commented upon.
Evidently …..

there is spleen and there is bile
there is snicker and a jaundiced eye
poem still sparkles in a disarming style

good job mate

sat

Re: Unsolicited advice for poets (Score: 1 ) by AsIf on Sunday, September 02, 2012 (13:50:58)

Thank you for taking the time to comment.


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