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Agnes Krampe

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Sharing poetry

Blog Posted by Agnes Krampe: 4/10/2017 6:13:00 PM

I find sharing poetry deeply personal and feel very vulnerable when I do. Not posting on Soup, but sharing with people who know me in real life - that always takes courage, even when it's close friends. I don't know why I feel this way, since I have never experienced negative reactions; nobody laughed at me, belittled my efforts, or offered devastating critique (well, except for a certain online forum - not Soup!- but that is different and does not count for this purpose)

Telling others that I write poetry feels weird sometimes, too (and I would never say "I am a poet" - that feels presumptuous.) Over the past year, I have become more serious about writing, and I am now in a place where I feel comfortable sharing that I write.

I have exhibited some poetry and photography at our women's community center, and a few of my poems are due to appear in the literary magazine of the university where I teach, so some colleagues will know. I still feel a bit uneasy.

My favorite poet had written for several years before she dared share with her husband.

Do you share your work with the people in your real life? Was that a difficult process for you? Or is writing something you do just for yourself?

Have you ever had a negative reaction from people around you? From people you care about?

Has your family been supportive?

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The
Grahamburglar

Date: 4/14/2017 8:39:00 PM

I used to copy the poems I would post here to my FB page. It didn't take long before I started getting some comments that were (jokingly?) critical of my posts. So I stopped. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. I attended my brother's wedding out of state. One of my aunts pulled me aside and asked if I was trying to get published, and that was why I stopped posting my work. I laughed at that since I am not even close to that caliber of a writer, but her enthusiasm re-invigorated my writing-bug. So I am back again. I guess my point is that I don't go out of my way to broadcast that I like to write poetry, but having supportive friends/family has proven to be a blessing as well. -G

Stephen
Pennell

Date: 4/14/2017 5:47:00 AM

really enjoy a open mike poems and pints but really hate doing my own and they want you to as they all enjoy performing not me

Agnes Krampe
Date: 4/15/2017 10:40:00 AM

That sounds fun, Jan! I have never been to an open Mike event.

Stephen Pennell
Date: 4/14/2017 9:45:00 AM

should do a isle of man limerick slam :-)

Jan Allison
Date: 4/14/2017 7:15:00 AM

Great that you go to the open mikes Stephen I am sure in time your confidence will grow and you will enjoy sharing your wonderful words. I'm performing at another review at the end of the month - just love sharing my poems and the other people in the group all write humourous poetry so we have a blast on the night:-) Went to the rehearsal last night was hilarious:-) hugs Jan xx

Connie
Pachecho

Date: 4/13/2017 2:43:00 AM

I think if a person is predispose with wanting to be inconspicuous in his character makeup it carries over in all areas. It does for me. I rather be reserve, quiet. Recently co-workers, and people I met at the bar have asked what am I doing on the notebook and I tell them my hobby is poetry and that leads to their invitation of wanting to see my work. I tell them no. It sounds stuck-up. But there are reasons. Partly because not all that I write is abstract, which can lead to people profiling me, typesetting. I don't want that, especially in the workplace and among strangers. I can also see why writers use pen names. In my case I lose my inhibitions when I write in anonymity, which I like.

Charmaine
Chircop

Date: 4/12/2017 2:14:00 PM

My husband thought my poetry is a waste of time for quite a few years, only when our poet friend Drake did a poetry radio show and heard me recite a poem of mine did He take me seriously.When I was published in journals He appreciated it as well..but I can see when I write a poem for him He doesn't appreciate it so much.He doesnt believe in words so much...But at least He stopped hated the fact that I write and see it as a waste of time.I do post a poem here and there on fb..and it was quite a challenge because I didnt know how family and friends will react..They seemed to like it..but ofcourse Its never as appreciated as it is by you my poets friends...I do find it hard to say Im a poet :).

Charmaine Chircop
Date: 4/13/2017 4:57:00 PM

Agnes...My husband is supportive to welcome poet friends when they come to Malta, and to come with me to places that are related to famous poets when we are abroad,but He is just not into poetry reading or listening..but its ok..I understand..He cannot love all that I love.Yes Re your Hubby..lucky you if He likes poetry enough to support it dear.Poetrysoup can be very addictive to me..but by time I managed to find balance..to keep my ego fulfilled and Hubby happy too.:)

Charmaine Chircop
Date: 4/13/2017 4:52:00 PM

You are a darling Brian,thankyou..and so are you Richard..Hey nice to see you here again.

Charmaine Chircop
Date: 4/13/2017 4:51:00 PM

Indeed Cyndi...They do love us ...I did manage to take him to poetry places every time I go o holiday abroad.He had more than enough of Oscar Wilde,Shakespeare,Dickens,Jane Austen.I do try to visit something poetry related every time I go abroad...So at least He is not interested in poetry...He'll be interested in famous poets :). :)

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/13/2017 9:07:00 AM

My husband "accepts" me being a poet, but he prefers me to write fiction. Still, poetry is not something with a switch; it can't be turned off or tuned-out. It is meshed with our DNA. Only another poets can understand what nips inside to get out. Family, spouses and best friends love us... but they can't 'get us.' YOU ARE A POET!!!

Brian Strand
Date: 4/13/2017 3:17:00 AM

As I also said below to Agnes ,.Charma you are a poet...anytime you doubt it re-read your 'Zephyr Breeze'

Richard D Seal
Date: 4/12/2017 4:55:00 PM

OK Charmy, I'll say it for you, you are a poet lol.

Agnes Krampe
Date: 4/12/2017 4:38:00 PM

Oh, that's so sad that your husband cannot be more supportive. I am glad that mine appreciates it and actively encourages me to make the time. I think he finds it a bit funny how excited I get when I win a contest, but he humors me - and after all, it's a perfect inexpensive hobby, right? They can't really complain :)

Charmaine Chircop
Date: 4/12/2017 2:15:00 PM

Hating not hated..Sorry.

Eve
Roper

Date: 4/12/2017 9:16:00 AM

Hello Agnes, I'm tickle that your feelings have bloomed about yourself and sharing.. " Congratulations"! I've only been really truly writing for three years and everyone here have always been very kind with their encouragement for my work. I might be off on a few, but never have I had anyone be unkind. I have always shared with my family and friends and they all make me feel so very proud..

Brian
Strand

Date: 4/12/2017 4:28:00 AM

Agnes you mention below how to improve as a poet.For me it was reading poetry both here and inpoetry books etc of he 'acknowleged ' masters especially of the particular forms in which you feel deficient( ie Adelaide Crapsey for cinquains,Shakespeare sonnets,Basho etc for haiku etc,Marianne Moore for free verse,ec etc )As all the painters of the past did ' learn by copying' nd your own unique style will evolve.

Agnes Krampe
Date: 4/12/2017 7:01:00 AM

Oh yes, absolutely - reading is very important. And I don't think I make enough time for it at a time of day when I can fully absorb. I need to build a habit.

James Marshall
Goff

Date: 4/11/2017 9:16:00 PM

Good blog, Agnes...I tell people who inquire what I do...I am a poet....income producing...# of times published....nada/few! subjective scorecards don't interest me...albeit increase in audience satisfies...poets see the world around them quite magical, even spiritual...not based on consumer-driven outcomes...eg: in my condo, I display found miracles of nature that nurture me...Lake Superior Thomsonite Rocks (pink, my favorite color!) Birds Nests...Lichen covered wood...boomerangs from cultures worldwide...etc...Mom digs my poetry...friends here & few others! cool w/me!

Chris
Green

Date: 4/11/2017 4:59:00 PM

Personally without sites like soup or some of the others I have belonged to, I wouldn't know a soul who enjoyed or looked forward to reading my poetry. My family and friends could care less, that's the way it is with poetry I believe. Poets get it, most others not so much. Sometimes it is disheartening that people I know, I see every day at work, family and others aren't interested. But that never stopped me. Maybe someday they will come across an old shoe box filled with my papers while preparing for a yard sale and think, wow, he could write poetry...go figure. Put these in the dollar box. :) So thank you soupers for all of your support and friendship. You mean the world to me.

Charmaine Chircop
Date: 4/13/2017 5:50:00 PM

I will take a long trip to your yard sale just to buy that box of papers Chris :)

Eve Roper
Date: 4/12/2017 9:21:00 AM

Here I go again wrong word Chris " you're " awesome !

Eve Roper
Date: 4/12/2017 9:18:00 AM

I'm with you Tommy :) Chris your awesome !!

Harry Horsman
Date: 4/12/2017 5:36:00 AM

I am the same Chris, my family couldn't care less, been writing since 1980, been published in countless anthology, and still no interest, thank goodness for places such as soup, a placeof understanding.....

Jan Allison
Date: 4/11/2017 5:27:00 PM

I see soup as my extended family and I know I would never have thrived without the encouragement and support I've received over the last three years:-) hugs jan xx

Doug
Vinson

Date: 4/11/2017 4:55:00 PM

Good questions, Agnes. : ) My wife knows my poems are on PoetrySoup. I'll post one or write one, if topical, and put it on Facebook, once in a while. Might include one in a letter or e-mail to somebody. Don't go too far with it, though - if anything I'd wait until somebody asked me if I'd written more. I was sad to read that on another forum you may have gotten some negative reactions to the point of belittling your efforts. People.... You're a good, gentle and tender soul, and I love your pictures, you look so happy, open and honest - to think that anybody could be cruel in any way... Ugh. : (

Doug Vinson
Date: 4/13/2017 7:45:00 PM

Agnes, with criticism, surely there is a decently wide range where it does not get personal, where one's suggestions about how to make something better need not be discouraging to the writer. Not that everybody will manage to stay there, though....

Agnes Krampe
Date: 4/11/2017 5:46:00 PM

Thanks, Doug. There are places devoted to critique where people almost seem to take pride in tearing down another poet's work. It's not personal, they do it to everybody. (I appreciate and value constructive critique, and that is actually something I am missing a bit on Soup, because people are only dispensing praise, which feels good but is not helpful for becoming a better poet). Anyway, I felt that the (probably justified, but crushing) criticism did not make me better but made me want to stop writing altogether. So I'm glad to be here in a supportive community.

Jan
Allison

Date: 4/11/2017 3:25:00 PM

I've been on an amazing journey since my hubbies cancer started my writing and had incredible support from family, friends and work colleagues. Now I have the writing 'bug' I try to encourage people to write and have given talks at school to the creative writing group. I've had some of my poetry published in books and I've performed on stage several time and will be again later this month:-) Also had some poems on the local radio station. I never really enjoyed poetry until I started to write and now it has changed my life forever:-) hugs Jan xx

Robert
Lindley

Date: 4/11/2017 4:53:00 AM

I wrote in secret for many years, not even close family knew. Such was for me only. Then slowing I let a few close friends and family know. Never tried to present my writes to strangers, then I after decades presented my poetry at another site.. Then I was blessed to have found this top level and supportive site with its wonderfully talented poets! I joined, then later bought a lifetime membership. The rest is my journey here, now unfolding. Our new collaborative poem, with Micheal Clark and Teppo, is fruit of finding such great friends and sharing!

Brian
Strand

Date: 4/11/2017 3:15:00 AM

Like it or not Agnes ..you are a poet. Your first place winner in my April Premier 'Silhouette' proves my point.It is not presumptuous to call oneself a poet if it is true.

Agnes Krampe
Date: 4/11/2017 6:58:00 AM

Awww, Brian, thank you so much for your kindness.

Darren
White

Date: 4/11/2017 2:33:00 AM

I kept everything I wrote to myself, didn't let anyone ever read any word. I started to open up online on Soup, on Facebook, then to my boyfriend, and now to my sister. But I agree it's frightenng. My sister likes my poetry, but I don't show her everything I write, only the lighter, simpler stuff. I'm afraid I'd scare the living daylight out of her if I ever show her my dark poems, hah....

Darren White
Date: 4/12/2017 12:59:00 AM

Yes, exactly... Unlike many others here, I don't have much family, or any others online outside Soup and Facebook. So the fact that my sister is interested in my poems is in itself a good thing. I see others responses to your question, and it indeed looks like no one but other poets is really interested in us writing.... But yeah, I cannot let my sister read my darkest thoughts, she would be scared.

Agnes Krampe
Date: 4/11/2017 7:00:00 AM

I can understand that. It is also worrisome to loved ones to read the dark things from one's soul.

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 4/11/2017 1:01:00 AM

My husband and two adult kids . Forget about it!

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 4/11/2017 1:00:00 AM

I only have time to read your blog here at the top and I really like this one, so I will try to answer quickly. I used to put my earlier poems on beautiful paper that matched their themes (from craft stores with specialty paper) I sent them out several times a year to family and just a few friends. A few of my family were supportive but nobody else ever said they enjoyed it or not so today I only send out to family. I do seasonal poetry pages and put them in the teacher boxes where I work and I give them to a few ladies of my church. A few of my fellow teachers told me they liked my poems but hardly anyone, so I feel as if I am bothering them almost. That is why I come bother folks here!

Agnes Krampe
Date: 4/11/2017 6:58:00 AM

Such a nice idea - I am sorry you got so little response.

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Sharing poetry

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