Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » On Reading Really Bad Verse

On Reading Really Bad Verse

I know some folks who would not know a poem If it slapped them in the face. The way some string unrelated words together Is an absolute disgrace. Sometimes, the grammar is so bad it really smarts, Basic spelling forgotten, Lines that have absolutely no meaning, for sure, Rhyming, well, it is rotten. These wannabe “poets” have a gift, I suppose, All kidding aside, my friends, For the life of me, I cannot make heads or tails Or make the necessary amends. But, if we are seeking plaudits, trophies, awards Or seeking lasting fame, We must be sure that drivel and gibberish never Appear beneath our name. Of the hundreds of poems and verses I have written In my long writing lifetime, Perhaps two or three were truly worthy of note, Ones I would call sublime. Most of us poets like to see our name in print But, for goodness sakes, we ought To make sure that our poems say what we meant And set forth a logical thought. Written June 20, 2021

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

Terry Flood

Date: 6/21/2021 11:00:00 AM

Crikey, we’re all sitting here thinking, ‘Does he mean me?’ ;-) Don’t worry, Milt, I’d already decided I must do better... the last thing I wrote was of decidedly dubious merit. However, when St Peter asks me what I achieved here on earth, I can tell him... ‘I once rhymed a rhyme with orange, so go tell the big man to move aside.’ Well that’s me done, I’m off to write some drivel. He he... Terry

Terry Flood
Date: 6/21/2021 4:40:00 PM

Ahhh! Like... [There was a bad teacher from Birmingham... What had some young kids and was learning ’em... Ten dollars said Nancy... If I’m what you fancy... He found them ten dollars by earning ‘em.] No, I could never write anything like that. In case you’re wondering... I do know what you mean though! Terry.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/21/2021 11:17:00 AM

Oh, Terry. Truthfully, I didn't have anyone in mind. But, I was thinking of some stuff I read in the new poems section of Poetry Soup. I try to be understanding of the young kids writing, but people who just keep writing anything that comes into their minds to put on here sort of drives me up the wall...especially the bad grammar, words right out of the dictionary strung together, and senseless drivel. Don't you agree? I'm getting so I only want to read poems by people who have proven themselves repeatedly to be fine writers.

John Lawless

Date: 6/21/2021 4:32:00 AM

Ah, the curse of verse - it can always get worse -

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/21/2021 8:17:00 AM

So true, John. Thanks for the read of this "bad" verse! I always enjoy reading your comments.