08-14-2023, 02:10 AM
I used to write only free verse. I considered myself to be serious about poetry because I was always seeking to improve. I read poetry, I read about poetry -- but anytime I tried to learn meter, it was a dismal failure. So, I stuck to what I knew.
Then, I received some feedback on one of my pieces from an accomplished poet, and they questioned whether I was serious about poetry -- without meter or rhyme, they couldn't see any poetry in my poetry. Which is, of course, not what anyone wants to hear about their work, but I respected his opinion because it was genuine.
I stopped writing for some time. But, I guess everything has its season. I've picked up a copy of "The Ode Less Traveled," by Stephen Fry, and I'm just going to fail and flail until I get it right. Not because I hate free verse now, but because I've run out of arguments and the bottomless pit of self-loathing is an excellent motivator.
Then, I received some feedback on one of my pieces from an accomplished poet, and they questioned whether I was serious about poetry -- without meter or rhyme, they couldn't see any poetry in my poetry. Which is, of course, not what anyone wants to hear about their work, but I respected his opinion because it was genuine.
I stopped writing for some time. But, I guess everything has its season. I've picked up a copy of "The Ode Less Traveled," by Stephen Fry, and I'm just going to fail and flail until I get it right. Not because I hate free verse now, but because I've run out of arguments and the bottomless pit of self-loathing is an excellent motivator.