Crash (just thinking out loud)

 Crash    (just thinking out loud)

the aplomb rises with ego

critics convey heavy-handed comments

that pulverize spirit

"I hate your writing, you are useless

and should light a match to your pen"

"I have better things to do than to read 

this meaningless drivel...

I am so elite

my halo is singing my hair

like I hope you will singe

that poetry you bore me to tears with"

and then I read them

and thought

"really?

take a look in your own poetic

back yard" 

Plath was devastated by criticism

but plodded on, thank God

Dickinson sent off her work anonymously

pretending to be a novice...

she was scared of rejection as well...

please don't stop poets before they get their

engines revved.

the wayside is the home of so many "could have been"

wordsmiths.

confidence is a pinto

trying to race with Jaguars

give it time to get up to speed

and it may turn into a Cadillac.

but hopefully still leave room

on that writing highway

for others to join and get up to speed.

erin-cilberto

9/28/24

Reviews

[Green]

I would say there's a fine line between constructive criticism and just being rude, but in many of these cases it's more like a multi-lane divided highway where there's absolutely nothing fine about it. I think the "critic" disguised as "expert advice" or "well meaning" gets me going the most, especially when I see people replying and taking it seriously. I want people to get criticism to help them improve, especially if they're legitimately seeking that out, but some advice just isn't that and it won't make them better. There are so many people, especially around here, that are either young or just getting started and there's so much potential in them (or it's already there and we're not even discussing potential, they're already talented) that should be encouraged. We're all here as a hobby, this isn't technically publishing, there's no reason to act like you're making a financial decision on whether or not something will do well and make or break your business. I could not agree more with what you say in this write, I just wish more of us could support it as well.

[Gee]

Well said Jacob, we have all got to learn our craft, mistakes being made often along the road of poetic awakening and growth