09-13-2013, 02:39 AM
As one of the frequent offenders of this crime, I am obviously going to contend that I think that this is still a valid form of critique. Both Todd and ChristopherSea have made comments that are well balanced and offer good examples of when & why this form of critique might be acceptable. So I do not think I can add much to what they have said.
Also I would second Todd's closing comment as I think the attitude of inclusion of all levels of ability and engagement with poetry best sums up the spirit of the site.
To my mind the flip side of this discussion is that, at what point does the site become too elitist and in doing so perhaps deters the novice poet. I would be more concerned with a trend that adopts a regimented attitude and a "My way or the high way" mentality. I think if we start inhibiting one style or method over another we are in danger of becoming sterile and homogenised into a one voice, poet alike site. (If this thought is followed to its most brutal outcome, then i think we arrive at a place where we will be nothing better than a cosy club of sycophantic lovies fawning over each other and playing follow the leader or possibly, the most opiniated voice).
For me it is the many voices aspect of the site that keeps it vibrant and keeps me coming back. I don't want to read repetitions of the same crit ideas on a poem written with ever more intellectually cutting and witty putdowns. I want to understand a poem on as many levels that my average intellect will allow for. I appreciate that we cannot all function at the same level, but for me this is the beauty of poetry. It has so many aspects and access points in how it is appreciated that there is plenty of room of all comers and all styles of comments. (Like with all things we need a balance and yes I would agree that if every comment was based on meaning it would be folly, but Basically I'm with Todd when he said "anything beyond: Wow! cool poem is valid for me").
Just some thoughts,
AJ.
Also I would second Todd's closing comment as I think the attitude of inclusion of all levels of ability and engagement with poetry best sums up the spirit of the site.
To my mind the flip side of this discussion is that, at what point does the site become too elitist and in doing so perhaps deters the novice poet. I would be more concerned with a trend that adopts a regimented attitude and a "My way or the high way" mentality. I think if we start inhibiting one style or method over another we are in danger of becoming sterile and homogenised into a one voice, poet alike site. (If this thought is followed to its most brutal outcome, then i think we arrive at a place where we will be nothing better than a cosy club of sycophantic lovies fawning over each other and playing follow the leader or possibly, the most opiniated voice).
For me it is the many voices aspect of the site that keeps it vibrant and keeps me coming back. I don't want to read repetitions of the same crit ideas on a poem written with ever more intellectually cutting and witty putdowns. I want to understand a poem on as many levels that my average intellect will allow for. I appreciate that we cannot all function at the same level, but for me this is the beauty of poetry. It has so many aspects and access points in how it is appreciated that there is plenty of room of all comers and all styles of comments. (Like with all things we need a balance and yes I would agree that if every comment was based on meaning it would be folly, but Basically I'm with Todd when he said "anything beyond: Wow! cool poem is valid for me").
Just some thoughts,
AJ.