Writing in the first person can be a very effective technique, but it's always important to remember this:
Even if the "I" at the time of writing happens to be the poet, don't forget that with time the perspective of the poet can change. A poem is not just the diary entry of an unchanging persona.
The safest path to take is really to assume that the "I" in a poem is no different to the "I" in a novel. It's a literary device that gives us insight into the mind of the central character. We need to really remove ourselves from the idea that what goes down on paper is the poet's own personal opinion.
Why do you use "I" in a poem? Have you tried rewriting those poems from a third person perspective?
Quote:Consider that the speaker/voice of the writing is not always that of the author, even if it uses an I. It is a mistake to assume that anything written in the first person is always autobiographical, and to do so can in fact offend. It is possibly best to avoid giving “life advice” in a critique, other than as a direct requirement for interpretation of the piece.
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Even if the "I" at the time of writing happens to be the poet, don't forget that with time the perspective of the poet can change. A poem is not just the diary entry of an unchanging persona.
The safest path to take is really to assume that the "I" in a poem is no different to the "I" in a novel. It's a literary device that gives us insight into the mind of the central character. We need to really remove ourselves from the idea that what goes down on paper is the poet's own personal opinion.
Why do you use "I" in a poem? Have you tried rewriting those poems from a third person perspective?
It could be worse