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Academy

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I went to school to try and find new ways to write creatively. Professors challenged my young mind with homework drills approved by the Academy. Postmodernism ruled the day. No metered rhymes were ever heard- such verse considered "too passé". Creative Writing profs preferred some obscure word. The free verse that I wrote while there was abstract, cynical, rhyme-free, sophisticated, debonair. The one flaw in such poetry - it wasn't me. With time, I learned to find my voice - words forming my biography. I write in styles that suit my choice, not those of some Academy of poetry. written 22 July 2023

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Silent One

Date: 11/28/2023 1:02:00 PM

Hey John hope you are well..

Silent One
Date: 11/29/2023 3:35:00 AM

I understand we all need a break sometimes.

John Watt
Date: 11/28/2023 3:58:00 PM

SO, thank you for the concern. I'm well, just taking a bit of a hiatus. Hope all is well with you.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 11/25/2023 7:48:00 AM

Congratulations dear friend on your inclusion of your awesome poetry in Poetry Soups third Anthology - Reflections on the Important Things. Blessings, Jennifer.

John Watt
Date: 11/29/2023 7:38:00 PM

Thank you, dear Jenn. I won't have an anthology before Christmas, but I do so appreciate your friendship and kind affirmation. Hugs and blessings ~ John

Eve Roper

Date: 11/3/2023 11:19:00 PM

Learned a little more about you. Enjoyed reading my friend. Stay safe have a nice weekend.

John Watt
Date: 11/29/2023 7:55:00 PM

Thank you dear Eve for the read and kind words. Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Hugs ~ John

Deb M

Date: 10/19/2023 3:04:00 PM

Absolutely love this John….lead with your heart and listen to that voice! Debx

John Watt
Date: 11/29/2023 7:56:00 PM

Thank you Deb! Hope all is well with you ~ John

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 10/3/2023 12:06:00 AM

Hi John i apologise with all my heart and soul that I have not been answering your wonderful poetry but have been tied down to work for the last couple of months. Im only beginning to pick up now but slowly getting there Your poem rings true no one can teach you poetry it is a gift we are born with and which we cone to realize sooner or later. Love your poem and have faved it my friend hugs and blessings Jennifer.

John Watt
Date: 11/29/2023 8:01:00 PM

I too have felt tied down by work and other commitments, dear friend. Always a blessing to hear from you! With gratitude ~ John

Susan Lawrence

Date: 9/12/2023 6:25:00 AM

Love this John ! It takes time to find one’s voice … in life and in poetry ! I like to turn down the volume and the chatter of the outside world and the voices inside my head and be still for a few minutes in silence . Then my heart opens and the real me begins to emerge . Hugs dear friend. I hope you are smiling . Love, Susan :)

John Watt
Date: 11/29/2023 7:59:00 PM

Thank you for the lovely affirmation, dear Susan. Poetry can be like prayer sometimes... calming, centering, seeking. Glad we share this journey of self discovery and revelation. Hugs ~ John

Akkina Downing

Date: 8/28/2023 6:37:00 PM

I agree with you, John. :)

The Situation

Date: 8/26/2023 10:57:00 AM

So much talent displayed before this piece there was no need to go. Except needing a piece of paper that says you can. But to me the paper is the paper that it was writen. Not some boring word salad that says you can. Between a degree and a muse I much rather prefer the muse.

The Situation
Date: 8/26/2023 10:58:00 AM

I see I commented before.

Joanna Daniel

Date: 8/16/2023 1:57:00 AM

Totally agree, John:)

The Situation

Date: 8/15/2023 7:43:00 PM

I agree 100% I get tire of word salads that only show of vocabulary.

Bill Baker

Date: 8/15/2023 2:15:00 PM

And you do a great job of writing poetry your way, John, Thanks for sharing a bit of personal writing history with us, my friend. Have a pleasant week! Bill

Yolanda Nicholsen

Date: 8/8/2023 3:27:00 AM

lovely write

Tom Woody

Date: 8/2/2023 1:36:00 PM

Reminds me a bit of Dead Poet's society... In the reverse. I don't like much modern poetry. To me it just doesn't feel like poetry. Instagram is full of pithy one or two liners that purport to be poetry, and some of these folks have gazillions of followers. I scratch my head. As for me, I'll take a well written sonnet chock full of competent meter or a nice haibun any day. Good stuff John

Eileen Manassian

Date: 7/30/2023 2:54:00 AM

Ahhh... my sentiments exactly. I'm old school and I like it that way. Lovely write.

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 7/28/2023 4:10:00 PM

I agree wholeheartedly John, I prefer to write in lines that rhyme each end, but everyone to their own unique style, anything that makes writing poetry worthwhile… Belle

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 7/27/2023 10:58:00 PM

Now why does this sound familiar:)

John Watt
Date: 7/28/2023 8:54:00 AM

Sort of my take on "A Reverse Rant"

Barry Stebbings

Date: 7/27/2023 2:55:00 PM

Exactly so, John, agree with you completely. // Barry

Sneha Rv

Date: 7/24/2023 11:40:00 AM

this is so important! I already love your unique versatile flair truly. Thanks much ... :)