Are we doing poets a disservice?

[burquepoet]

Greetings:

This post may grate on a few people's nerves, but I feel it must be brought up.

I have enjoyed being on this site, and plan to continue for the foreseeable future, yet I am bothered by a trend that seems to be festering. I'll call it nice-itis. Allow me to explain.

I peruse posts on a fairly inconsistent basis, but when I do it seems that all the poems receive get is "attaboys." Don't get me wrong, slaps on the back are wonderful. I enjoy the awards and hope they continue. The issue comes in the critiques of the poems by poets. I read nothing but positive reviews. I find it hard to believe every poem, including, and especially, mine, are that good.

I am not requesting that we all take the gloves off, but let's be critics. I am here to learn and improve my crafts, and consistent "attaboys" are not going to help that. The critiques that I read remind me of the critics on American Bandstand. It seems that every poem "has a good beat and you can dance to it." I don't see it.

For my own preference, the critique that points out flaws means more to me than the accolades. If one is here to be stroked and cannot handle criticism, they probably should find a "nice" group that only accepts positive criticism. Subsequently, and I truly hope this is not the case, if you are afraid of hurting someone's feeling, you are doing that poet a disservice.

BTW, don't be afraid to hurt mine. Rip my work all you want. It's the only way I will improve.

Thank you for allowing me to vent.

Sal in Albuquerque, NM

[rrw]

Hey, Sal, I get your drift. But critiquing for me is evaluating a poem on its own merits. Personally, I don't give "atta boy" comments. I read the poem, and then respond based on what experience I have with it. Beyond maybe pointing out typos or something like that, I don't have much to say as far as how a person should write. I like all different kinds of styles and themes. I do like most stuff I read and say so. That is just as much a critique as anything else.
I am always available to talk to people about their work in greater depth if they want to. But they gotta ask.

[Toni]

I see your point as well, but I belong to a few other sites and in all of them the majority of poets post in the general comments section, and I myself prefer general comments and light critiques, also I do not feel comfortable critiquing other poets work

[rrw]

I think this thread is a valuable one. I hope more people comment on it. If we do want to develop as poets, this is a good place to share ideas.
I also hope the moderators would jump in with their honest opinions also.

[burquepoet]

I agree, and, in essence, I think I'm pointing this criticism at the moderators. To me, they should be the people with the most poetic knowledge. I don't get that from them. I get cookie cutter, boiler paper responses.

I echo rrw's request, and hope that they do respond.

Sal in Albuquerque, NM

[Sara]

I agree with Toni, I do not like giving or recieving harsh critiques that is why I joined this site because it clearly states on most of their listings. "post your poetry for general comments and light critiques"

Lisa and the mods in my opinion are doing a good job here, and I appreciate them for taking the time to comment and for giving out the daily and weekly awards, to me they encourage the shy writer, like myself, and for that I applaud them...

[rrw]

It seems to me, Sal, that you feel like you're not getting an honest response to your work. I promise I'll always be honest with it and try to give you more detailed explanations for my responses. But I can't promise it will be harsh, Example, I like your Poem G. I think it works. But if you don't feel that way then you should work on it some more.

I understand Sara, how you feel. No one wants their work trashed. I think the mods try to read most of poetry on this site so they can't respond to every poem in detail. You have nothing (in my opinion) to be shy about when it comes to your work. You are doing fine.

[Shell]

i agree with rrw ... i think honesty is a must. i would never say *this poem is dreadful* because who am i to say? i might think the poem is not appealing to me but that says more about me than the poem, perhaps? i am happy to suggest almost-technical improvements if i am not going to push someone over the edge and if i feel it is welcomed (doesn't have to be agreed with, just welcomed *grin) ... it is all a balance thing, imo ... but honesty is VITAL ... from what i have seen so far politeness and sensitivity is already a plus on this site ... goodness, sorry for the ramble!

[chitcyn]

I am kinda new here but as far as Im concerned, I always give honest feedbacks in some other forums I am with. I enjoy critiquing. Short reviews like good poem, I like this, and awesome are not useful to any poet. When giving a critique remember that poets are looking for in depth critique...like that of Sal. As writers we strive on feedback and we grow as writers by getting both positive and negative comments on our work. At all times just be respectful. You don't have to take a critical lengthy review approach when commenting on others' poetry. You might just want to comment on the way the poem struck you, what you liked about a poem, or what threw you off about a poem. Maybe you can quote part of the poem and why you liked that verse. You don't have to write a book; just a few comments can really help someone know what works and what doesn't. Remember to be tactful and never disrespect the writer. We critique the poem and not the poet. Poets are sensitive souls and they take their poetry to heart. There is a wrong way and right way to say everything. You can offer constructive criticism where the poet is going to learn from it without being disrespectful and... never mock a fellow poet. All critiques can be rendered in honest-to-goodness views and in a way not offending no one.
That is just my view on the issue raised, but I believed since the question was raised in February by Sal, I think the forum already had responded to it in creating a somewhat new board/forum here POETIC EVALUATION, and oh my-oh my when I visited it, gosh...that's what Sal's looking for. Im glad they have adopted the scheme and each one writer who hungers for thorough critiquing can always post poems there. I might as well try it...and the spirit will keep us going on. However, others who do not want an in-depth analysis can always post their poetries in the showcase, where light critiquing is all at hand.
I haven't explored the totality of this forum yet, on my way each time Iogin, and... I could say ....I am enjoying, and learning even more. More power to the forum...