I cannot tell you

I cannot tell you
how much
I abhor the amateur words
of would be poets

Sacrifice grammar for rhyme
the cliches abound as if they
poured from your mind
original and new

You are the howling neighbor's dog
to my quiet evening.

Author's Note

This was my response to reading several bad poems in a row. I'm sure it's heinous, which makes it delightfully ironic. At least, that's the intent.

Reviews

[Pushkar Prabhat]

okay!
i am so glad i came across this little gem!
very funny and yes, indeed harsh!
But they need to be taught a lesson..........
poetry is divine.
how dare they malign it's sanctity.
admiring poetry is one thing, but trying to write and calling oneself a poet.....well that is not as simple as it seems, right?
i loved it!
:)

[icomeanon_13]

Poetry is very difficult to write (well), which is why I only write it when I'm particularly vexed/inspired.

Thanks for the review. You're right that it's harsh. In some ways, it may be as often directed at myself as anyone else. It's a reminder that not everything I (or anyone) put to paper deserves to be called poetry.

[Pushkar Prabhat]

well said.
if a bunch of words could be an outlet for someone's pain and emotions........no matter how screwed up they be, grammatically..........it will be a poem, atleast for me. we are not forced to appreciate anyone and also, we must never provide a forged opinion. but the least we could do is not make fun of them! i might suck at poetry but writing makes me feel great and nobody has the right to take that away from me. Nobody has the right to take that away from anyone.
i hope i didn't offend you.
have a great day!!
:)

[icomeanon_13]

Oh, no offense taken. I didn't disagree with anything you wrote in the least. Thanks for commenting- all of my other work is fictional short stories/ chapters. If you have an interest, feel free to read and review.

[Pushkar Prabhat]

great!! yes, i will definitely read them!! :) :)

[The Twin Arenas]

when it's really bad, it's right next to plagiarism. Probably a distant second, but it's second.

farting dog.

[Tate Morgan]

Well that had me laughing

[Stonz P.]

BRAVO. I cannot help but appreciate your poem whilst laughing. I see SO MANY desperately rhymed poems and their misuse of form.
Love your piece.
Thanks for sharing.

[MAC]

LMAO perfect! into my favs it goes...

[Arsh]

Good & bad are only two verses of words... that play with our lives... isn't it? I like the flow how beautifully you express your feelings of bad & good through this poem. It's a very unique piece... to enjoy with time.

[Daniel Maguire]

I like this there is something about it that reminds me of the bravado of the old greats. Like Oscar Wilde on a bad morning. As critical as this poem is of those you describe as would be poets(although I would argue that simply writing poetry doesn't make someone a would be poet), the brief yet powerful description of the amateurs process seems sort of pleasing to me. Pouring thoughts into something and feeling the giddy sensation of creating something that at first seems new and unique to you

[icomeanon_13]

Agreed. Creating something (good or bad) evokes a joy few other things can in this life. Sometimes that creation can only be prompted by bad creations in the past. This poem really shows me for the curmudgeon that I (sometimes) am. :) Thanks for the review!

[Angad Waraich]

Well poetry is difficult to write, we all begin as amateurs and grow along the way.
That aside it had a strange humorous touch to it which i surprisingly enjoyed .

Thank you.
Angad

[Bare Trees]

I wrote something similar a while ago. Harsh words but true.

[Wórdsmíth]

My fav. line: "Sacrifice grammar for rhyme". Quiet insightful! I appreciate it. Even this whole piece of art`s seemed full of brilliancy. Great job!