Too Many Critics

For some of my very creative friends who have been savaged by those who seem to regard poetry as an academic exercise rather than creative expression.

Too many too desperate to be heard,

Too eager themselves to anoint,

As guardians of the written word,

While they entirely miss the point.

Prizing form over content,

Satisfying their egos as they teach,

Misapprehending what was meant,

As their rhetoric they preach.

Glorifying their sacred rules,

They stifle creative imagination,

As they venerate the words of fools,

And take the joy out of creation.

Too many syllables, ahem,

Or perhaps it is too few,

The structure is all important to them,

Though I doubt it is to you.

Too many critics with too much to say,

Don't let it stop your writing,

Get some words down every day,

Show them you'll keep fighting.

Your words are yours and yours alone,

The critics work is seldom worth reading,

Their opinions are the only things they own,

Don't make the mistake of heeding.

© 2017 The Iron Horseman

Author's Note

This is intended to remind certain people that this is supposed to be fun!

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my friend. Worthwhile words and thoughts shared. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you again, my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[Poetic License]

And to that, I shall add my resounding YAWWWWPPPP! Thank you for the reminder, my dear friend. You have said it absolutely perfectly.

But, maybe next time you mention how the critics have to face the wrath of the Huntress, in a dark and spooky woods, leading to that haunted castle.... just sayin. Snarf! ;-)

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, PL. Did you take a look at 'Stalked'? That one was for you!

[barleygirl]

Most of my writing is pretty structured, but I still hate the idea of imposing my control-freak tendencies on other writers! This is my problem, not yours! *tee! hee!* Your poem comes across with plenty of venom, which is often deserving in these cases. If a writer isn't immersed in the message while writing, then the reader isn't going to be, either. First a writer needs to have something definite to say, then the form comes after that. I love your point of view, here. Fondly, Margie

[The Iron Horseman]

Thanks, Margie. You are most definitely NOT part of the problem! :) I have not been the victim of this kind of thing myself, but a few of my friends have been absolutely savaged by these guys because their approach is original and does not conform to any known standard. And silly me thought originality was to be applauded! Who knew? Lol!

[Paul Bell]

Well put. As much as I like the serious stuff.
I like the unserious more.

[The Iron Horseman]

Thanks, Paul. Don't we all?

[Matthew Kult]

#truth

Honest and sincere.

Writing is fun, and you get to play God, don't let the devils tempt you

Great Read

Matthew

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, Matthew.

[Matthew Kult]

You are welcome

Matthew

[Nipplegrinder]

Hear, hear, Horseman! Well done!

[The Iron Horseman]

Thanks, NG. These people irritate the hell out of me!