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I Do Not Critique I Praise

I am not good at critiques. I am better at praise. I like almost every poem. I want to elevate and raise. Reading poems is a hobby that makes me feel good. I know I should critique. As if that I could! I have barely been writing poetry myself, for just a couple of weeks. I know when I got my feet wet, people gave me all kinds of tweaks. People were ever so kind, no matter how silly my rants. Critiquing a poet? I am afraid that this fits in with my can'ts. I do not feel knowledgeable enough about poetry yet. So I will have to stick with what I know, which is to praise every pet. The poems I do not understand, the ones over my head so tall, I simply skip over, and do not comment at all. I am not good at critiques. I am better at praise. It has served me quite well, all these poem-reading days. Reading poems is terrific, it gives me ideas galore. If you need critiques from me, you are barking at the wrong door.

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Sigrid Ermine

Date: 9/9/2020 7:04:00 AM

Advice here denotes the praxis of Poetry Soup. Other sites are wired differently, writers specify on each poem their desired level of critique. I found a fellow poet's advice useful. First poem on there, he said, first line of third stanza needs change. He was right! Hadn't realised it, then totally got it, changed it, huge advantage to me and poem. - I know you're somewhat familiar with neighbouring operations....

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/9/2020 12:33:00 PM

I am but I am also familiar with fragile spirits, and people who would fold and bury all their other writings as soon as they had any kind of a critique at all. I deal with those people more than I deal with those whose self confidence is high enough to accept suggestions. This is where my mind is coming from.

Carole Duet

Date: 9/8/2020 11:59:00 PM

Well, you have so much "poetic" talent that you do not need to write for years for your poetry to be a joy to read. And, although I critique in my head I've learned to stay silent. 'Nuf said!

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/9/2020 4:57:00 AM

Ha! I have stayed silent often, but not on this site. I have figured that people LIKE COMMENTS. I like yours today, Carole.