how come there's so many people asking for opinions on their poems?

Question

i think poetry should be written for yourself. and it shouldn't matter whether or not people like it.

Answer 1

I agree with you. Most of them are beyond awful, yet people tell the writers how wonderful they are. That's what puzzles me.

Answer 2

Writing poetry is a pretty lonely thing. How many people can you walk up to and say, "Hey, look at my latest poem!"? People are poem-shy because of idiot English teachers without passion for poetry and who use the standard "Tree" poems. Poetry is so much more than that. Then they make you analyze it to death.

I agree, poetry is for the poet; it is also for the reader. The problem (1) there aren't enough venues to get the poem out there, (2) You can't make money getting poetry published, even if you get it accepted for publication.

Online sites can be vicious. Poetry festivals are few & far between, although gaining strength. What's a poet to do??

Answer 3

External validation? Naw, nobody really needs it. (Or at least our pride would say so.) The Existentialists pretty much tossed that idea in the trash, too. That doesn't keep writers who are starved of attention from seeking it from any random source they find. Hence, you see, "so many people asking for opinions on their poems..."

Another problem is, solipsism and unintelligible poetry are rampant. (Those many, many bad poems you can find online drive good critics away.) The opposite side of the problem is, a good poem goes to waste if nobody else ever encounters it.

While poetry can be private, can convey your most intimate thoughts, it isn't strictly for self-therapy or -amusement. And it's definitely a form of communication if you want to treat it as an art.

Find a friendly ear, someone who knows a little bit about you and your creative goals. Pass them your text or, if you're more brave, practice reading your text then invite them to hear it. Learn to accept critique and be selective in what you accept, whether that's praise or a negative response. Even one's best friends can be difficult critics... or miserable suck-ups.

Finally, since you seem like a proud, independent person, I suggest that you respect your independent spirit. Be choosy with whom you hang, where you hear poetry, and what schools of writing you allow to influence you. One thing that often happens when poets hang together is, they start sounding alike. THAT is where I'd say, "Never surrender." Be yourself.

Answer 4

Writing poetry is an achievement, like sports or acting. It takes a lot of work, and it's a talent that not all people have, yet a lot of people can do. People like to be told they're doing good and are on the write tracks, since writing is a lonely and arduous task. You have to sit at a desk for hours and hours racking your brain, thinking: "What rhymes with Arkansas?" It feels good to get a pat on the back for the hard work you do.

Answer 5

I agree with you. Poetry is like a diary written for yourself or for someone special. But it is ones choice to share a poem or not. I myself make poems and I read them at every chance and I love reading them, but I can't share the poems with others yet. I keep revising the words, eh. Yesterday I wrote a poem about my newly- adopted very thin black cat with intent to post it here for opinion but I changed my mind, I keep to myself my hastily written but long poem. Somehow poems are not meant to be unread forever, they must be discovered or shared like gold treasures to be retrieved from the deep seas.

I consider people asking for opinions here on their poems to know what others think about their work. I admire them for showing to us their literary works. It is interesting to read their creations and take advantage of privilege given to give an opinion. Poets are excited or anxious to show us what they have as if they found a gem, it is really interesting to see/read any.

Answer 6

Have to disagree here.

All writers, whether poetry, verse, short stories or novels have a need to hear what others think about their writings. We also have a need to share our writings with others. Not so much for fame and glory, but more for acceptance. To know that others feel as we do.

Many of my writings are private or hold a private meaning for me. Non-the-less, by sharing, others too may learn and grow.

If by sharing, I can help one other soul to live a happier / better life, I feel I have done my part.

It's not so much that I need to have my work accepted as it is an easy way to share it.

The Ol' Sasquatch Ü

Answer 7

Some people write poetry for others to convey a message or to please the reader. Of course they would then want to know the advice of other people. Who says that poetry has to be something that is written only for oneself?

Answer 8

i agree
but sometimes it can be very helpful
if you dont htink your poem is good
but others thikn it is amazing
it could help you to stand up for yourself and submit your poem to a publisher
or something like that

Answer 9

it matters