Can'T Admire What Not Understood

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like John Anderson.

Billy Collins => "The change came [from difficult to clearer poetry] I would say when I began to dare to be clear, because I think clarity is the real risk in poetry because you are exposed. You’re out in the open field. You’re actually saying things that are comprehensible, and it’s easy to criticize something you can understand."

https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/brisk-walk-billy-collins-conversation

can't like poems too hard to understand, because poet is scared of exposing the self

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 11/17/2017 12:46:00 PM

Well okay, some poets are not clear in what they say in poetry. Some poetry is hard to understand, for me some poems are hard to understand.So i ask them what does your poem mean? Then i get an answer. have a nice day my friend.

Maurice Rigoler

Date: 7/28/2017 9:14:00 PM

Possibly. Personally I think the poet isn't clear about what he wants to say even before he sets the first word down! The more difficult the poem, the more the poet needs to think it out. Many thanks for stopping by. Best to you in your writing endeavors. / M

Jan Allison

Date: 7/25/2017 3:15:00 AM

I try to read widely on soup but there are some poems that only the writer understands and that is because they are trying to prove their 'superiority' - if I can't understand it I move on to something less challenging:-) hugs Jan xx

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 7/24/2017 9:24:00 PM

Sharp pen :)