| Author | Message | ||
| stacey dye
Intermediate Member Username: belladonna Post Number: 518 Registered: 11-2007 |
When is it okay to just write something light, (an observation maybe), something from the heart, perhaps; that is not full of metaphors and have it be accepted for what it is? Or is it okay? Although I've written for a long time, i've not had much direction. I have books I am wading through (The poets companion and mary olivers book) but was curious about some of my Wilder's inputs on this. Thanks much...stace | ||
| Anna Brown
Valued Member Username: tissuetoyou Post Number: 280 Registered: 11-2007 |
I think you can write something light or from the heart anytime. Maybe if it seems a bit cliche, but it still means the world to you, it probably won't be published, but it's yours and you appreciate it. I think that's what poetry is about. It doesn't have to be the most brilliant piece in the world, it just has to mean something to you. And if it's something light, and observation, from the heart, and not full of metaphors, if if means something to you it's worth the world. That's what I think. Thanks for posting this, Stacey. I'm sure it'll lead to an interesting discussion. _________________________________________________ Every Imp could be a bastard, but not every bastard need be short. George R.R. Martin - A Game of Thrones | ||
| Brianna
Intermediate Member Username: shkethtmnymkrhorsey Post Number: 518 Registered: 12-2007 |
I say that if it comes from your heart and you truly mean it then forget what we have to say because only you know what's in your heart so only you know the full extent of what you have written. I've written a lot of just light poems that come from my heart and that have not been packed full of metaphors or fancy words and they did just fine. =P I haven't been writing long so you might want to see what the others say, maybe listen to what they have to say more....but that's just my take on it. =) Bri ...I heard a neigh. Oh, such a brisk and melodious neigh as that was! My very heart leaped with delight at the sound. ~Nathaniel Hawthorn This is my life. And I love it | ||
| Jim Corner
Senior Member Username: jdc Post Number: 3559 Registered: 09-2006 |
A strong statement with the power to engage the reader. Honest and naturally poetic. Quite often the best tense is present. with "I" feelings and emotions. A strong metaphor, followed faithfully, some well chosen allusions, images, colors etc. Put together with well chosen line breaks and structure. Doesn't hurt to smooth with readable meter. Know when to end the poem. There's other items, but that's only if you want a prize winner, smile. Oh, you asked, what is a poem. Heartfelt words that make sense to a reader. My best, Jim Emboss The Snowflake Publisher of www.DesertMoonReview.com | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Moderator Username: garydawg Post Number: 25205 Registered: 07-2001 |
When is it okay to just write something light, (an observation maybe), something from the heart, perhaps; that is not full of metaphors and have it be accepted for what it is? The answer: Whenever you do, whenever the mood strikes. If that is your schtik, at any time. Remember poetry is a big tent and can take in all the light, all the serious, all the flippent, all the emotion, all the rants, all the thoughtful, all the we throw its way... Smiles. Gary Celebrate Walt with Gary: http://www.poetrykit.org/pkl/tw10/tw4conte.htm | ||
| Judy Thompson
Advanced Member Username: judyt54 Post Number: 1272 Registered: 11-2007 |
stace, just write. never mind about 'is it okay", just do it. Every line you put down, every thought that you shape, takes you closer to where you want to be, as a writer. Just do it. If you start editing even the proper time to write, or the proper type of poem, you will end up braiding your fingers. The more you write, the better it gets. Really. Afraid of the Dark | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Moderator Username: garydawg Post Number: 25207 Registered: 07-2001 |
Judy - braiding your fingers needs a poem of its own... Smiles. Gary Celebrate Walt with Gary: http://www.poetrykit.org/pkl/tw10/tw4conte.htm | ||
| Fred Longworth
Senior Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 4352 Registered: 05-2006 |
As the official Gatekeeper for the Poetic Museum, I must tell you that of the 1,215,443 rules that a poem could reasonably follow, only 6 are considered acceptable by the Association of Poetic Pundits. Here are the rules: (1) Everyth must be left to the reader. I mean everyth. So, wherever possible, avoid the use of words. (2) No words are permitted that end in -ing. (3) Every line must have at least 1 juicy image and a minimum of 7 internal rhymes. (4) Avoid 1st, 2nd and 3rd person. (5) Do not write about subjects you feel strongly about. Strong emotion equates to sentimentality and point of view equates to preach. (6) Everyth must be revealed in terms of someth else. A word like "noon" is crass and simplistic. Think of "noon" as the "hour of no shadows." Hope this helps. Fred | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Moderator Username: garydawg Post Number: 25210 Registered: 07-2001 |
Yes, but the Federal Bureau to Assure the Security of Homeland Poetry has mandated (and the courts have upheld) the requirement that 1215442 of the rules of poetry must be followed in at least 90% of the poems, stanzas or lines whichever is greater. The exception is your #2. In addition, a staff has been hired to explore additions to the rules, though it will take at least a decade to approve each. And the Bureau does not recognize APP and is indeed investigating it as a subversive organization due to its alleged French influences. Smiles. Gary Celebrate Walt with Gary: http://www.poetrykit.org/pkl/tw10/tw4conte.htm | ||
| stacey dye
Intermediate Member Username: belladonna Post Number: 519 Registered: 11-2007 |
Anna, Bri, Jim, Gary, Judy, Fred, thank you for responding. It all helps me a great deal. I'm glad I posted this. Fred...my BRAIN is braided after reading yours! Judy, my friend, so good to hear your voice. You know just the things to say and I think Gary is right. "Braided fingers" does deserve a poem of it's own... Bri, Anna you were so encouraging and I thank you. Jim, your comment was almost a poem in itself. So thoughtful and full of ideas and inspiration. Thank you so for taking the time... Gary...Remember poetry is a big tent and can take in all the light, all the serious, all the flippent, all the emotion, all the rants, all the thoughtful, all the we throw its way...I loved this! Thank you so much for opening up the world of poetry to me...stace | ||
| Cosima
Advanced Member Username: ffyredrop Post Number: 1365 Registered: 12-2003 |
Judy, please include your idea about every line you put down takes you closer to where you want to be as a writer, with your upcoming braid poem. That is the greatest idea, really. thanks ! c. | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 9928 Registered: 07-2002 |
Stacey, My take is that there are different kinds of poetry. I call them 'little p' poems and 'big p' poems. I often write down small observations of the moments of my life seen through a poetic lens. These 'poems' don't often get workshopped or offered for critique as they are not written to be anything more than poetic doodles on the margins of my day. These are the pieces I give to my children, my husband, write on a card to a friend. These kind of poems also serve as my daily poetry practice. A kind of meditation in words. Some of the things I write, I hope to shape into Poems, 'big p' poems, pieces that exist as a work of art and craft. Those are the pieces I critique, edit, and shape. As Gary says, poetry is a large tent and I don't place a value judgment on which type of poem is the "real" poem. They serve different purposes. Best, ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog LJCohen | ||
| "A-Bear"
Senior Member Username: dane Post Number: 2225 Registered: 11-1998 |
stacey, It all boils down to your want of acceptance and how badly you want it. It's easy to slop words on paper and even easier to say you don't care. The true artist, IMO, abides by the rules or makes sense when creating something new and different. At the very least, he or she shows a concentrated effort in their work (when writing prose) that indicates thought and time utilized properly. The following deals more with the subject of "getting published" but I believe it also contains some prety good (overall) FYI with regard to your question. I hope it is of some value to you. I saved this in my word file for just such an occasion. I hope Dennis doesn’t mind my quoting him because I found his advice most enlightening. It can be taken to heart or not considered at all: By Denis Garrison on Monday, May 13, 2002 - 02:49 pm: "The individual prejudices (or preferences, you decide) of editors are, at the end of the day, imponderable. While reading magazines/webzines for the type of poetry published is truly essential, trying to second-guess editors is usually not productive. On the other hand, if you ask editors for help and they are willing to give of their time and expertise to you that is a great advantage, both professionally as a poet and with respect to publication in their zines. Don't expect such mentoring; few editors have the time or are willing to spend their time. Those that will help are to be valued. What about objective standards? If the editor is worth his/her salt, there are many. The simplest are the most telling. Misspelling and unintentional misuse of words are the kiss of death. (Personal peeve: using "it's" for "its" and vice versa - very common.) While they can be easily corrected, they are indications of carelessness - the worst sin of a poet. Other simple errors in manuscripts are likewise off-putting. So, be sedulous in submitting perfect manuscripts. Use of clichés is a killer. Rant can be wonderful, but unstructured, undisciplined rant is not poetry. (I fully realize structured and disciplined rant is oxymoronic; it also is poetry.) Confessional poetry is very popular, but if it is so personal that it does not involve the reader, it falls flat. There are many poems that fall in the pejorative category: Teen Angst; they should only be submitted to venues with teen audiences; few others want to hear it. I mention these merely as examples of some objective criteria that editors employ. The most important objective standards involve form (or the lack of form) and technique. - If writing in a set form, failure to use the form correctly will induce rejection. - If writing in a set form, contorting your language, unnaturally inverting syntax, etc., will induce rejection. Strive for natural, albeit elevated, diction. - If writing without reference to a set form, but in a noticeably structured manner, you are writing a "nonce form," that is, a form just for the moment, just for the nonce. Poets who are basically writing free verse, but utilizing some structure commonly do this. If you do this, your form needs to make some structural sense. If you have an apparent form but freely violate it within the poem, this is likely to induce rejection. - If writing verse libre (free verse), it is still important to utilize poetic technique to make your verse compelling. Choosing line-breaks is crucial. Judicious and skillful use of assonance, consonance, onomatopoeia, internal rhyme, contextual resonance, and so forth, make the difference between prose and real free verse. - In any form or in free verse, continuity and common sense (even in fantasy and psychological verse) are important. It is amazing how often a poem, clearly written with some talent and skill, includes elements that are absolutely nonsensical. One generally cannot be blinded by the light and lost in the dark at the same time; but such situations are too commonly found. - Perhaps the most important objective criterion used is relevance. Is the poem relevant to the readership? That is, does it convey something, anything, that is meaningful to the readers, or is the poem so personal as to be without interest?" | ||
| Emusing
Senior Member Username: emusing Post Number: 6354 Registered: 08-2003 |
When is a poem a poem? When you say it is. Now what you do with it, is a different matter. To post for yourself, for friends to enjoy etc., all good and for me, the most important part of writing, to exchange ideas and aesthetics with others. For publishing purposes there are different "standards" many who require varying levels of skill and artistry. The internet is full of poetry sites for all styles and preferences. x e Word Walker Press; Moonday Poetry; Kyoto Journal "All you who are dreamers too, help me make our world anew." --Langston Hughes | ||
| Fred Longworth
Senior Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 4354 Registered: 05-2006 |
In a serious vein . . . I think you need to decide whether you are optimizing for veracity and insight or whether you are optimizing for musicality or whether you are optimizing for novelty. Everywhere in a poem you must make choices, and -- in my opinion -- the hardest choices involve which of the above three criteria you are going to put up front. Clearly, many top-quality poems deliver admirably on all three areas of promise, but I think it can be fairly argued that for every poem all three factors do not enjoy equal prominence. Right now, in many top-rated journals, Poetry to cite an example, musicality of word, line and stanza has been largely sidelined. The poems are often startlingly original. They make elegant end-runs around common semantics. The poems often make a strong push at truth or insight, though such is usually revealed obliquely. And they often have the musicality of a harbor seal with laryngitis. Fred | ||
| michael j sottak
Advanced Member Username: julius Post Number: 1812 Registered: 05-2007 |
usually,Stace, I start of with, "what the fuck!" for guidance, ya know? | ||
| Marty Abuloc
Member Username: desert_journey Post Number: 55 Registered: 09-2007 |
Carl Sandburg had poems about spitting at the moon. The finest Haiku was about a frog leaping into a pond. I read through "one hundred years of solitude" and considered it "poetry in all pages". Read "the prophet" by Kahlil Gibran and also considered it "poetry" in chapters. Just remembered the sweetest smile of a child, poetry. When the written word approaches the level of art, it is poetry. Although nothing could be more abstract than the word "art" or "love", it nevertheless points to the conclusion that poetry is attained at different levels by different persons, at the same time, the same written word is poetry to others while not to some. | ||
| stacey dye
Intermediate Member Username: belladonna Post Number: 575 Registered: 11-2007 |
Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. I'm going to print it out and keep it for inspiration. I really appreciate your help and support. stace |
