On Public Criticism
Pitiful is the poor soul who finds no peace
Focusing on the foibles of a fellow poet
Who finds no fit subject to occupy her mind,
Has not learned the meaning of “Stow it!”
The poet she criticizes is expressing himself
In the only way he knows how to write,
‘Tis best she read his words without retort
Keep thoughts to herself, not stir up a fight.
The poet didn’t even have her in his mind
When he wrote words expressing his hurt
He was, perhaps, angry with his daughter
For being a careless, reckless insidious flirt
Some poems are written to express feelings
While some poems are completely fictitious
But public criticism written in a comment
Can turn ugly, especially when it’s vicious.
Written March 28, 2022
[on reading an unpleasant
criticism of a poet’s work]
Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022
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