the REVIEW (our craft)

Quatrains in Iambic Pentameter

the REVIEW

Reviewing is an art few master well …
the ones who do, pass on our art intact,
inspiring 'long the way whom they might tell,
because they realize the cards are stacked.

For every poet reached in a review,
so many more are left upon the page,
complaining how their work was torn into;
such is the fodder of indignant rage.

So many verses I’ve critiqued when read,
on many more there’s never left a word.
Thus, passed on by, left as they were, instead,
for reasons some may think are quite absurd.

Shhh! Listen well, you might just understand:
I may say nothing if there’s too much wrong,
or if a poet feels they’re highly grand;
and, never when a writer is not strong.

When sensitivity controls the mind,
it cannot grasp a lesson that’s been shared;
nor, can it know reviews are not unkind;
critique was left because someone had cared.

Most share for praise and pats upon the back,
while fewer really wish for honesty.
They tout for help, not that their poems lack;
if told they do, give thanks with brevity.

See? That which makes reviewing so worthwhile,
are those rare few who never will abscond;
instead, take everything to heart and smile,
correct mistakes, then graciously respond.

Through issues all corrected they transcend,
form bonds with other poets 'long the way …
thus, learning well from those who comprehend;
these best will pass along our craft one day.

So, be prepared when those who light the path
hold high their lanterns bright that you might see;
inside your poets’ hearts resist all wrath …
one day your skills will know high mastery.


Richard W. Jenkins
© 2015

Author's Note

During my earnest and sincere efforts to help my fellow-poets correct issues in their poetry and better their skills, seems my praise and encouraging comments somehow got missed or disregarded, and in result I've inadvertently raised the ire of a fine poet; thus, I thought it best to make my take on reviewing known, and to make it clear what my motives generally are when giving a review.

Constructive critique for my poetry is always welcome and preferred. ; )

Reviews

[emipoemi]

Un - be - lie - vable! This is exactly what I stand for! So many divas have blocked me because they didn't want to be told their work needs fixing up.....and I, too "say nothing if there's too much wrong." My friend, you are a poet in the flesh. You can definitely use some tweaking on some rather banal grammatical aspects, as well as when and where beats should land (one line in this one has "someone" landing on the wrong sylLAble....but that also might simply be dialectal). This is otherwise fantastic! True to form and message! Well freaking done! (also love the Mickey Holmes image).

[Richard🖌]

Thank you for reading this piece … I really enjoyed the content and depth of your own poem, "Critique" addressing this same issue.
Seems we are on the same wavelength when it comes to reviewing and learning from those who have been there before us, lighting the way, teaching others how to lay their own foundation to build their endlessly various and creative poetic edifices upon.
The word "someone" in its static state is actually spondaic (dead) in stress, allowing it to be used either trochaic or iambic, depending on its intended inference, as in this piece "SOMEone" (ANyONE/SOME uNIQUE one, etc).
"Banal"?
Definition: trite, hackneyed, clichéd, platitudinous, vapid, commonplace, ordinary, common, stock, conventional, stereotyped, overused, overdone, overworked, stale, worn out, timeworn, tired, threadbare, hoary, hack, unimaginative, humdrum, ho-hum, unoriginal, uninteresting, dull, uninvolving, trivial; informal old hat, corny, cornball, played out; dated dime-store; rare truistic, bromidic.
Ha-HAH! I think I'm beginning to understand how you might have gotten blocked by some few of the more sensitive … LOL!
The spirit of this piece is not to be "original", but to deliver a message in lawman's terms, to convey a definite idea to everyone who reads it. As you say, not all is about technicality, SOMEthings must be understood by feeling, eh?
The Mickey Mouse image: See what I mean by a picture or illustration helping set the mood? I was looking for something appropriate to represent the idea of what I was going to say, to help set a lighter mood/ambience, and accidentally came across it when I typed images for investigating into my Google search bar … saw it and knew it was just right.
Glad you found good favor in this one, and I always appreciate your candid commentary, too … I have learned as much (if not more) by teaching and listening, as I have by studying. In fact, most all I've learned in life came from SOMEone or SOMEthing outside myself.

I think you have the potential to be a truly accomplished, master poet … just my considerably educated opinion, after reading over twenty of your pieces … thanks, guy! ⁓ Richard ; )

[Annie Gryphon]

You really got it to the point, dear Richard. So nice to put your message into a poem.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Annie,
For reading and commenting on this all important poem/message. One tends to forget that one of the many important reasons for serving on a writing site is to receive the influence and input from other writers in order to better their craft, not withstanding the wonder benefits of socializing with talented and amazingly wonderful folk from all parts of the globe.
I realize, too, that not everyone wants all that passionately to necessarily improve on their skills, and only wish to share their efforts and enjoy themselves without anyone trying to correct their every posting, but those who do not wish for help from those who have been there before them should make that statement on their profile so we will know to just review and comment on whatever value and enjoyment we can derive from their work.
You are correct, too, Annie, my poem is "to the point", as you say, because I really want no doubt in my wonderful fellow and lady-poets' minds what my intent is in reviewing their compositions and where my heart is in giving to them my utmost best and sincere efforts.

You are a delightful and enjoyable treasure, Annie — I thank you warmly and sincerely for reading and reviewing this one for me … brightest blessings to you! ⁓ Richard

[Annie Gryphon]

i agree with you, critic should be welcomed but you have to know from whom to take. Not everyone here is able to give such profund comments as you. And some can also destroy the energy of the new starting poet. This is because i'm mostly giving positive reviews, to support someone. I believe that we learn by doing and trying and starting new. It's a long process, it takes years of failure and try, a lot of passion for loving words and life itself. A lot of people here are using poetry to express their pain/ depression/ anxiety. They don't need any advice, they are just glad to share their Feelings. That's okay, too.
Best wishes to you, dear Richard. So good to have you here!

[Richard🖌]

How perfectly correct you are, Annie, and how profoundly blessed we are that you know how to express such depth, wisdom, and understandings. How else to know another, lest they speak with honestly of such things as you have, in the ways you have.
Yes, I've my ways of offering to help, as each reviewer (I would like to hope) gives of themselves their best to their dear fellow-writers, each in their own way.
Unfortunately, none of us are perfect in our discernments of what a writer who openly posts their wares for all to read and critique really and truly expects, will embrace, reject, or actually needs in a review.
If each writer were required to note on their profiles the kind of reviews they would like to receive, it would alleviate most all undue sensitivity derived from the content of undesired comments and unwanted reviews.
On other sites, this is an available feature, with check boxes to select the kind of review wanted, just for this purpose.
I agree with all you've said, Annie; no one wants to be misunderstood, and no well-intended reviewer wishes to offend or discourage anyone, either, and when a writer takes offense at a reviewer's caring and constructive comments meant to help, there is no way for the reviewer to otherwise know beforehand that they are or will be offending, unless something tells them.
True, what you say about the process of learning, but not everyone need go through a trial of fire to learn, there are much better, less punishing ways available for the beginning poet.
We have to have some foundation to build on, some starting point that points us in the right direction, otherwise we are bound to develop poor and near-impossible habits to break, and never learn to adequately express what it is we feel, think, and imagine adequately, and end being unnecessarily discouraged and our skills held back for all the wrong reasons.
We all use writing to express our pain/ depression/ anxiety, as you say, but is it necessary to do so without the benefit of learning and bettering one's skills, especially when it is so easily and readily available?
I guess I can answer that from my over forty years of teaching poetry, "Sometimes, it is, but it is rare that this is so."

[Annie Gryphon]

It's a good idea, Richard, and i just added a note on my profile. And i really admire you for all the effort and passion you put into your poetry and into your comments. You are really a gift, for all of us coffee- or tea- or wine-drinker in that Café here. Thank you so much, dear bard!

[Richard🖌]

You are highly treasured here, too, Dear Annie.

Thank you warmly for sharing yourself* ~ RJ

[John Alexander McFadyen]

As always Richard you give as master class in the technical art of poetry and in this one cover the many aspects of the review few even consider. Including the tendency towards platitudes which is the bane of any art.

[Richard🖌]

First, John, I thank you most sincerely for your most gracious compliment and understanding comments on this meaningfully rendered poem.
Then, I must agree with you on the clichéd platitudes: Praise must be sincere and warranted to be of true value to an artist, and the praise may not merely be for outstanding work, but sometimes for encouragement, too; for a writer who is lacking in confidence or just starting out and needs a little boost, all of which I am sure you get, but mostly, it is only giving the writer a false sense of accomplishment when meted-out falsely and Indiscriminately, which I know you understand, also, but it should be said in benefit of those who read these reviews and comments.

Thanks you, My Fine friend, for your ever thoughtful reviews! ⁓ Richard