Poetry and the Masses

[milo]

Milo, unfortunately, in my experience a lot of writers do consider that making a lyric or poem intelligible is tantamount to dumbing it down. I've had a couple recently who even used that expression when I - and several other reviewers - suggested that the message they were hoping to convey was incomprehensible.

Perhaps they should visit here so I can tell them they are wrong? Then they can go away.

You're right about a lot of people - including those who write poetry or lyrics - not being interested in learning the skills, mastering the craft, and applying the tools. A pity, because then everyone misses out - the writer and the potential reader/listener who might have been moved by the piece of writing.

Regarding the hypothetical payment question: Yep, I absolutely would write x number of poems/lyrics for a substantial - even an insubstantial - amount of money.

Interesting thread, this.

Donna

I think the original assertion was that focusing on the craftsmanship of poetry doesn't appeal to the masses. Making it intelligible is certainly not dumbing it down and I don't think anyone would make that claim.

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The cantos? That's like saying "the sonnets" or "the haiku".

I said no, by the way. If someone wanted to pay me for poems I'd already written, then I probably would have said yes, but I believe that art must be created for its own sake. Introducing payment into the equation means that the focus shifts, even if it's an unconscious thing, and you're writing to please a market.

yah, of course it shifts!! I said I would include obvious references to coca-cola or chevrolet if they wanted. There is nothing wrong with deliberately writing for a market for money.

I am the opposite, I would feel a little weird accepting money for something I already wrote - it wasn't written for money.