how do you decide which questions to answer (here in poetry)?

Question

are you more likely to look at a question that says 'what do you think of this' than one that just gives a poem's title? are you someone who ignores the ones that say 'what does this mean?'

Answer 1

I look randomly, and if I think the poem in question is horrible, I leave it alone. I hate to be mean, even though I think a LOT of poetry posted here is pretty much garbage. If I like it, I will respond and say why -- although I do have a Contact developed from a poem I was rather critical of -- there are a few people on here that can take it. If I "dish it out" I explain why, and if it's just something that makes me throw my hands up in despair for the modern state of poetry, I move along. Similar to a previous answer, I critique when they say "be honest" or "I can take it" or something similar. If they ask what it means, I leave it alone (unless I wrote it, lol) because I got sick of professors in college telling me what a poem meant when I had a totally different interpretation. Only the poet is really "allowed" to say what it means.

Have a great day!

Answer 2

Frankly, I often go for those that ask about what I interpret the poem to mean. Problem is many of our poets prefer being flattered with such adjectives as wonderful, you are very brilliant, please write more poems and such pampering expressions which in my view are simply meant to woo the ask-er into awarding them some ten points. Whenever I pamper one with such words, my answer is chosen. But I do strive always to give genuine responses whether the ask-er chooses it or not. I feel called upon by fate to offer constructive criticism based on what I think about the poem hence I go mostly for poems in the category 'what does this mean'?

Answer 3

I don't usually comment on ones that don't have any question.

I don't usually comment if the writer says "I love this. What do you think?"

I don't comment a second time if the writer gets offended, like the fellow who called me a moron.

I don't comment on several poets here, who seem to have a large following, but do not ring true for me. Good for them for having fans, and I'm really not an authority.

I usually comment on poems that I like, or poems that have great phrases midst fluff.

Answer 4

I like to know what the question is before I look at it more closely, so questions that are the title of a poem generally don't grab my attention.

Answer 5

I actually read almost all of the poems. But I only answer those that really affect me emotionally or intellectually because that inspires me to give a genuine comment that comes straight from the heart.

Answer 6

you soon get used to who posts stuff worth reading on here.

i tend to comment mainly when someone wants specific knowledge about an aspect of poetry or a named studypoet. (i don't think this site works very well as a workshop for beginning writers - i visit other sites when i want to discuss poetry with young poets).

there are quite a few posters i read but almost never comment on. todd's stuff is usually pretty good, but i doubt i would offer advice because:

#1 it is difficult to know when a weakness is a weakness and when it is just part of who todd is (as a poet)

#2 i am fairly sure that a poet as advanced as todd would go to a better organised workshop site if he actually wanted to discuss stuff.

(both these would apply in spades to td euwaite - who i think is very comfortable with who he is as a writer).

Answer 7

I used to answer a ton of different questions--I've slowed down considerably. I usually glance at what people write and if something pulls me in I comment. I usually respond to honest requests for help, or feedback. I also consider how a person responds to critique--if they ask for critique but than they are touchy about it, I tend to shy away from their questions. I also answer questions that are specific about poetry itself. That's about it.

Answer 8

I dont often look at other folk's poems, they are mostly a bit depressing. ( poor ) I can't really help with homework. I mostly try to help with practical things like.........what is this poem, it has the line ???? Or I like to help others find poets they might like and share ideas.

Answer 9

the name of the poem because that is what attracts me...

Answer 10

I don't know... I guess I just click on the questions randomly.