38 Views, 2 reviews

How many "views' and "reviews" would be enough to validate a poem, or the person that wrote it?

in the savagery of life

a wild flower

blooms and fades

unnoticed

adorning the earth

stretching a delicate neck

to kiss the sun

10 bees, 5 butterflies

3 birds, 18 clouds

fly by in a flickering sky

2 accidental surfers 

are washed up on 

these shores

“see that?”

“yeah” 

he started with just 12, and

after two millennia

jesus stands at 2.4 billion

I think he appreciated

the poetry of life

especially the irony

of it all

Reviews

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

I believe the validation of a poem is knowing your objective in writing it and seeing that other people got it. Views don't mean much to me because a poem needs to be read not viewed, unlike a picture and its thousand words.

About your poem, I found the imagery cheerful and beautifully done. Tyfs

[Laz K.]

I felt a bit (a lot, actually) ashamed just asking a question like this, because poetry is sacred to me - as it is to you, and everyone on this site for sure. But, I've decided to post it anyway, because I found the question a valid one. Art for art's sake is something I can identify with, but there are moments when one feels the need to be seen. Human frailty.

Thank you for taking the time to comment. :)

[Delmar Cooper]

I mutter to myself. More and more these days. No one criticizes my muttering because I keep it quiet, my lips barely move when I mutter, an observer might think I'm cold and my lips are slightly quivering. It isn't like that when I speak to another person. I want to know I'm heard, and understood and yes, appreciated, but mostly understood. What I really want to know -what's important to me- is to know when I'm misunderstood.

[Laz K.]

That's what it's about: being heard and understood. It's such an elemental human need - at least, for writer-types. Thanks for reading and commenting.

[Mustafa Gharib]

Subtle, yet very deep. The part about Jesus' growing followers, along with the title, gave me hope that what I create (writings or other things) might one day outlive me. At least that's what I felt.

[emmajoy]

Your lay-out and content beckons with examples yet puts a case before your readers. Seems to say this is how it's intended; thoughts strewn, take what you will from them. Share. Writers are human, first off. Different" but maybe ruled by emotions more than most, Have reasons for what they do, but not always aware why they do it! Think posting IS something we initially do for selves; wanting to feel thrills, pride, even tho wary of doubt. If someone else reads, comments, then job done, the words have beckoned. Favour given a frisson of job done'; a helpful negative can even show that there's more to be found. Hope not too long.

[Laz K.]

"this is how it's intended; thoughts strewn, take what you will from them"

Exactly.
Your reviews are very insightful, and area joy to read.

Thank you!

[Gee]

Reviews are better to be few and meaningful than many given with the sole intention of a return review (of workwhich 90% of the time is poor fare)
Enjoyed this piece Laz.
Good morning

[Laz K.]

Thank you. I agree with you. Quantity over quality. Good morning to you as well. :)

[Victim of cyber bully a..]

If there is only one person who can connected to my words it will be enough for me. I think reviews are here more like exchange of compliments then real reviews . I think it will be great to read some good honest review without personal attacking.

[Chris Shaw]

I write for me not for others and don't focus on the number of views, however it is always nice to get a written review. I have found here, that if you read and review the work of others, then they will reciprocate. If you don't then your name won't be remembered. I think this is the first of yours I have read. I thought your poem worked well with its imagery and its message. Thank you for sharing. Now I know who you are. Pleased to meet you Laz K. I particularly enjoyed the opening stanza. It set the poem up well and drew the reader in.

Chris

[Laz K.]

Thank you for your comment!

[Dave Brown]

I like this as I do most of your efforts
I never (almost) read stories because poems are usually more enjoyable to read
I don't review much and consequently get reviewed very little
I think reviews relate somewhat to the actual quality of the poem but it is mostly a 'you review me. I review you, type of thing.
I get a little Po'd with the lack of reads and reviews I get, always asking myself why I bother to post but the dumb rhymes keep popping into my head and I don't know what else to with them

[Laz K.]

https://www.google.com/search?q=time+rescues+truth+from+falsehood&client=ms-android-samsung-gn-rev1&prmd=niv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi8rozq-ZHsAhWPHqYKHZywCM0Q_AUoAnoECA0QAg&biw=412&bih=778&dpr=2.63#imgrc=GE-exdz1RYoe9M

It is a painting called "Time Rescuing Truth from Falsehood." To me it suggests that eventually Time will sort out what is worth saving - which relates to what you said about the relationship between reviews and quality of the work.

But, it does also seem sometimes that there is a huge disconnect between the quality on the on hand, and the quantity on the other.

Anyway, I think the topic of validation is something of a hornet's nest, everyone has an opinion on it, which is why it's worth discussing it.

Thank you for your comments, as always. I appreciate your words, your encouragement, and your lighthearted positivity very much.

[Dave Brown]

absolutely beautiful painting
the emotion, spiritual, perfectly imaged climax of a lifetime,s efforts with nothing left to live for??
I doubt I'll ever get that committed to my poetry but I wouldn't mind producing a few more quality pieces before I croak
I have always envied artists that produce such magnificent pieces
Write on, you do very fine work, reads reviews or not.

[Laz K.]

Thank you!

[Vertigo Cat1111]

Yes, sometimes it feels like any reviews will never be enough and you crave more and more. Though it shouldn't matter whether or not your writing gets views and reviews or not, you still feel that very human need for validation and what's enough reviews and positivity and encouragement to make you feel full? Though my book I've been working for so long hasn't gotten any positivity (haha not that I'm complaining it's a sequel to a very underrated video game), I keep posting it because it was my dream to continue it and I worked on it for five whole years. I know that's not SUPER long, but I think you were extremely brave and honest posting this. A question we all wanna ask but are too ashamed to because we're afraid we'll seem fame-hungry. I get caught up in wanting lots of reviews too, but I think as long as we keep writing for OURSELVES, we'll make it one day. Thank you for posting this, because the imagery was so beautiful, and keep writing such outspoken, brave pieces!

[Laz K.]

Thank you! I wholeheartedly agree with what you said!