I love Poetry, and have been critical of some of the work presented
here. In return I have received salty emails and comments posted by the
writers.
If you claim to be an artist... you will be criticized... if not then
nobody is taking your work seriously.

There are different types of criticism: new criticism, reader response,
deconstructive, historical, postcolonial, cultural, psychological,
feminist, and Marxist. If you claim to be a critic, please refer to one
of the above methods of criticism, because “what,” “I don’t understand”
and “huh” are neither part of the critical process nor a sign of someone
skilled in the art of criticism.

The good thing about poetry is the imagery used contributes as much to
the meaning as the words, but one must have an imagination for this
process to work. Percy Shelley once wrote, “Poetry, in a general sense,
may be defined to be ‘the expression of the imagination.’” Due to
ethnocentrism, please forgive me I know the need to keep this in its
simplest form; everyone has their own imagination. The essence of a poem
is the different meaning to those who read and create meaning of the
poem.

You say an artist “will” be criticized, but can the critic be criticized
as well? I can say your criticism holds no argument because you have
neither supported nor defined your criticism, which leaves me to believe
that your criticism is in actually an attack of the writing and not
criticism.

It is not necessary to be a skilled craftsman to criticize one,s
actions... especially artistic merit.
While in college I had to take a class in creative writing, in which I
developed an appreciation for poetry.
I go to readings here in L.A., and occassionally San Francisco and New
York.
I do not claim to be a professional critic... but I know senseless
dribble when I read it.
It is a waste of time to get nasty with the critic... if you want people
to cheer about the worthless... start paying... otherwise, be happy a
critic took the time to read your writings.

“It is not necessary to be a skilled craftsman to criticize one,s [sic]
actions... especially artistic merit.”

I believe if you read Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Criticism, you might
see that your statement is not supported.

“While in college I had to take a class in creative writing, in which I
developed an appreciation for poetry.”

So, you took “one” class in creative writing and you learned to have an
appreciation of poetry. Does this mean you have learned all types of
poetry? What exactly do you appreciate in poetry? Do you like rhyme
schemes, rhetorical accents, iamb, trochee, couplet, closed couplet,
stanza, ottava rima, or the figurative language? Please elaborate to
give me an understanding of your appreciation.

”I go to readings here in L.A., and occasionally San Francisco and New
York. I do not claim to be a professional critic... but I know senseless
dribble when I read it.”

I can tell you’re not a professional critic or any other type, for you
do not appraise, which is what a critic does. Define “senseless dribble”
and how it pertains to poetry. I am a little confused on your use since
you do not support its use.

”It is a waste of time to get nasty with the critic... if you want
people to cheer about the worthless... start paying... otherwise, be
happy a critic took the time to read your writings.”

I believe Pope, John Dryden, John Milton, Dante, Horace, and many other
writers would argue with you about it being a waste of time to get nasty
with critics, and I am on their side. The only thing that is worthless
on the forms is unsubstantiated and unsupported criticism. I believe all
the writers on the form would love to have a critic look over their
work, but that has yet to happen.

The power of one man's thought's of another should be clear and to the
point. Now, could you humble your (SELF PROCLIAMED GENIUS), if not god
attitude. And respect a man for HIS thought's. PLEASE.

It is not the pleasure of the reader, nor critic to give commentary to a
proclaimed writer on how to write.
The offering is a one shot deal... either we like it, or we don,t.
Of course... a supposed writer can pass sour grapes when told they have
no talent... but the truth is the critic is doing them a favor.
In this case... I will concede that the writers in here cannot handle
unsavory comments, and therefore I will not render anymore... I will
simply swallow and smile.

The critic should appraise what is read. Much like a car should be
appraised for value. Just to say a car is crap is not criticism, to say
the car needs a paint-job is criticism.

Yes, a writer can pass sour grapes when told they have no talent, but to
praise what is written and to praise talent are two different things.
For example, Hemingway is considered one of the best American authors,
but when asked about his poetry critics said he sucked, but that does
not mean he has no talent.

Some writers can’t handle “unsavory comments” and others can. You can
say all of my writing sucks, but I would want you to give me reasons so
I can fix or explain why I wrote it like I did. The world needs critics
and we on this form are no different. If you see a way for me to improve
my writing, please tell me, but if you say it is garbage and leave it at
that…is that really criticism or just an opinion?

I read your comments and the email you sent!
I respectfully disagree... not everyone feels the same about a
particular offering. When someone enjoys the piece... the writer does
not ask them to discuss the points they liked.
Sure, I could discuss issues which could help the writer... but that
would deny the writer a right of passage which developes true artist
merit.

I never said everyone would enjoy every piece. Although William Carlos
Williams is in the literary canon, I don’t like some of his works, but
again that’s an opinion and not a criticism.

I have been to book readings where the author is in attendance, and I
will say he does want to hear what is good and what is bad.

Again... Artistic Merit, is given to the artist by his/her audience.
There is no other way... there is no easy way, to get it.
I will only comment on the offerings that I like from now on... but
won,t that still offend someone.

To be, or not to be, that is the question?

depends how good it is!!!

What?

exactly..WILL : )

There is a difference between criticism and just being
ignorant. I got jumped on all over by alot of people
on a songwriting website because what I wrote didn't
have alot of rhymes in it. I then stated my case by
listing a variety of successful songwriters who have
popular songs that don't have a rhyme scheme in them.
That started a rather long thread and I started a pretty
decent debate. It's okay to say you don't like something.
I think all that's being asked is to realize that people
put their heart and soul into what they wrote. It may
not be your cup of tea but they worked hard on it. Please
take that into account when you respond to things. Try
to find SOMETHING positive to say because writers are very
sensitive people by nature and need encouragement.

RIGHT-ON

Sorry Dude...no dice, Artistic Merit belongs to the Tough and the
True... theres no other way!

Firstly, Ontario I do have to give you credit where
it is due- You have started a very interesting thread.
Now to the part where I think you're full of shit on-
artisic merit DOES NOT belong to the tough and true.
I've met various artists thru a friendship with a
guy who does concert security. The guitar player from
Pearl Jam ran into a stall like his ass was on fire because
he saw me in the bathroom. He hid in that stall while I
scored free tickets to his concert. I also met Stevie
Wonder. He is a very quiet and humble person. He is
EXTREMELY sensitive. Now Bruce Springsteen is a whole
different story. He had no entourage, the backstage was
quiet as a mouse, and he did not want to sign an autograph
for me until I told him I had lost my job and started a
new business. He then happily signed and wished me good
luck with my business. Meat Loaf had so much energy that
you could feel that he was gonna burst from his skin.
The songwriter for Meatloaf was as quiet as a church mouse
and is very shy. Steve Perry from Journey is also a very
nice, but very shy guy. His bodyguard was walking him away
from me but when Steve saw I had a backstage pass he called
for me to come over to him. You could tell the guy was
nervous as hell. We talked for a moment and he signed
an autograph for me but when he got to the backstage door
to get in his limo he looked like a man who was scared of
the world. The only artist I met that didn't seem nervous
or sensitive was Bruce Hornsby. Bruce Hornsby played with
the Grateful Dead. Once you got this man talking it was
like being with an old friend. He even whipped out his
wallet and showed off pics of his kids to my wife and I.
But can I give you the biggest case I can that artists
are very sensitive people? Let's examine Kurt Cobain.
He used to be homeless at various times and slept under
bridge overpasses and in cars and at various friend's
houses. He struggled to get Nirvana going. He writes
in his journal of having to go to gigs in a car that kept
breaking down. You would think that having a few bucks
to his name would make this guy happy. He made an album
called Bleach that costed $500 to make. At the time of
it's release nobody could've cared. Now it sells even today.
Then... Nirvana got an offer from a major label and recorded
an album called Nevermind. The record label thought it might
sell 50,000 or so copies. I'm sure Kurt and the other bandmembers would
have been ecstatic had Nevermind sold 50,000
copies. Nevermind was released and on the backs of the
song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" sold MILLIONS of CD's. I've
bought at least 3 or 4 copies myself because I keep losing them
or scratch them up. Back to story. Nevermind came out and
caused a musical revolution. The status quo of hair metal bands
and pop singers got blown into the water. Nirvana changed
music. Kurt suddenly found himself with a shitload of money
and married a beautiful, if slightly off balanced Courtney Love.
She is another great example of an artist that is sensitive.
I saw her at a festival once but that's for another story.
So Kurt's married, has all the money he needs, Nirvana is
an overwhelming success. He should be happy, right? Not exactly. Kurt
did not know how to deal with the money
or trappings of fame and success. He started doing heroin.
He desperately wanted a normal life back, at least life as
he knew it before Nevermind came out. If you listen to
Nirvana's third album "In Utero" you will find that it
reads like a 45 minute suicide note in music and lyric.
In one of the songs Kurt says, "I miss the comfort in
being sad." As a matter of fact the very first line in
the very first song on the CD "In Utero" is "teenage angst
has paid off well. Now I'm bored and old." A song recorded
for the album but not put on it was called "I Hate Myself
and I Want To Die." It comes as no surprise after reading
that song title that Kurt got a gun, went into a room above
his garage, and blew his brains out. The music revolution
was over and Kurt fired the last shot. I know this is long
but it's the best case I can make to you Ontario that art
does not belong to the strong but is rather populated by
people who at various times are on the edges of sanity.
Please be kind to them.
Jim

Dude... you have gone round the bend... sorry I can.t follow you. Let me
know when you get back!

I,ve received comments from numerious alleged writes regarding this
post.
Listen... all of you, it is your audience who decides your worth
have,nt you been watching american idol.
When you present your offerings on this site we... the readers can
review and criticize your work.
Like it... or not... now if you can,t handle that then pass out
already... because Artistic Freedom, and Merit...lives here !