2023 Poem-A-Week Discussion Thread

[GuiltyPleasure]

I'm sorry you're unwell Ange. I know you'll feel better soon, you're a fighter, and I agree with you about Calli's writing.

There are some promising new (to us) poets who'll be really good with some trimming and polishing.

 

[29wordsforsnow]

I can't specifically point to why, but this one really stayed with me as I continued reading the posts that followed. It created a mood that enveloped me.

Hopefully not in a too bad mood.

 

[Angeline]

GP's erotic sestina is a wow of a poem. Just making sense with all those repetitions is an accomplishment, but to make it all fit together in a strong, exciting narrative? Kudos PoeTess!

 

[Lyricalli]

Also it doesn't matter if you're "behind." You're here and writing: that does matter.

There's just so much reading that I've missed out on in the Poem a Week thread, as well as others, and I do want to catch up on all of that. Especially, when I read things like this:

GP's erotic sestina is a wow of a poem. Just making sense with all those repetitions is an accomplishment, but to make it all fit together in a strong, exciting narrative? Kudos PoeTess!

Definitely need to get caught up

I always enjoy reading you. I like the conversational quality of your voice. It's comfortable, inviting a confessional sort of intimacy and engages me as a reader.

... I agree with you about Calli's writing.

Thank you both for this, you're very kind. I enjoy your writings very much, and have huge respect for your talent and opinions.

 

[Lyricalli]

Hopefully not in a too bad mood.

No need to worry there. Even if it's sadness, I appreciate writing that makes me feel something, and that piece did.

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

GP's erotic sestina is a wow of a poem. Just making sense with all those repetitions is an accomplishment, but to make it all fit together in a strong, exciting narrative? Kudos PoeTess!

Thank you, Ange. It was fun to write but I cheated shamelessly here and there. Now I need to catch up with reading the latest postings.

 

[Wonderer67]

I figure this is a place to safely ask…

I know it’s not a contest, but I have little faith in my ability to write a good poem. I read some of the other poems and I am blown away.

Mine feel awkward, poorly thought out or constructed to me.

Any poetry 101 kind of resources you could recommend?

Just trying to improve. I know I am my own worst critic.

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

I have to mention Calli's latest poem in the Five Senses thread is really lovely.

 

[butters]

I figure this is a place to safely ask…

I know it’s not a contest, but I have little faith in my ability to write a good poem. I read some of the other poems and I am blown away.

Mine feel awkward, poorly thought out or constructed to me.

Any poetry 101 kind of resources you could recommend?

Just trying to improve. I know I am my own worst critic.

at the top of the poetry forum's list of threads you'll see 'stickies', which mean they always are there. Amongst them you'll find threads on forms and all manner of goodies.

if you decide you want to post something up for crit or opinions, just start a thread and say what kind of feedback you are looking for

 

[Lyricalli]

Any poetry 101 kind of resources you could recommend?

Just trying to improve. I know I am my own worst critic.

In addition to butters' suggestion about the thread of forms, there's also a sticky thread called "Please Read this First" and if you scroll down that one just a bit, there is a list of some good threads here to read and try, and also a list of resources for poets to use. We also have a thread full of different challenges that have been in the forums, and some of those might be interesting or fun for you to try. One of the links in the PRTF thread is to Poetry Foundation, which has a section for learning about poetry, so that might be a good place to start, if you want something a little more structured, as a Poetry 101 type thing.

And, as butters' said, if there's something specific you want feedback, advice, discussion, etc on, just ask.

I have to mention Calli's latest poem in the Five Senses thread is really lovely.

Thank you!

 

[Wonderer67]

Thanks to the both of you. I will have to check out the sticky’s tonght. I glanced over them. Thanks for making me aware!!

 

[Ambient4190]

Pictures! So beautiful. I was not aware pictures are permissible. I'll try it.

I just drug myself thru a tediously long thread on the AH forum about AI. It is so depressing! Personally, this challenge is so much fun - each poem an adventure/journey - all mine. Someone made an interesting point that using AI the 'writer' becomes an 'editor'....

Obviously I will never quit my day job for better or worse, what I post is mine, my heart not some ChAT whatever....gonna get some coffee now and shake off this sad feeling regarding what is happening to art..then write a poem

 

[29wordsforsnow]

what is happening to art

Hmm, for now, I think AI is just a quoting machine relying on a big library...until they can make Artificial Dreamers, I think it's not beyond twelve on Doom's Day Clock.

 

[Piscator]

You're here, as always
can't stay away
leaving telltale crumbs
for someone to follow
or help you find your way back
I'm never sure
but I recognize the path
they're scattered along

I never paid heed to the signs
little warnings
that hide in the depths
of my mind
seek me out in sleep
no matter the plotline
for all the lust and love
or silly fun we have
when you visit my dreams
the constant theme
is you always packing
to leave

Nice - may I add this note from Hansel and Gretel - beware of crumbs, particularly if you are one

 

[Lyricalli]

Nice - may I add this note from Hansel and Gretel - beware of crumbs, particularly if you are one

Thank you, Pisc Warning duly noted. hehe

 

[Wordcascade]

@Angeline… working girl part 3 has got to be the most evocative thing I’ve read this year, it was written as if it was a real memory, I want to ask and at the same time don’t want to ask if it happened,

If it didn’t it is absolutely sublime writing and if it did then just damn….

If you write like this with Covid and rusty, you must be a tour-de-force when you’re well rested!

 

[Angeline]

@Angeline… working girl part 3 has got to be the most evocative thing I’ve read this year, it was written as if it was a real memory, I want to ask and at the same time don’t want to ask if it happened,

If it didn’t it is absolutely sublime writing and if it did then just damn….

If you write like this with Covid and rusty, you must be a tour-de-force when you’re well rested!

Thanks Wordcascade, and especially thanks to you and GuiltyPleasure for your poems that inspired me to write mine. It is written from memory and it was (because of that) hard to write. I'm still not happy with it: some of the line breaks feel wrong to me and there's a few bits where the language seems off. It's such a painful subject that I feel I lean toward abstract where it should be concrete. So I'll edit it after I let my emotions about it settle for a while.

But I'm glad I wrote it. Imo it's important to write the hard poems, y'know?

 

[Wordcascade]

Thanks Wordcascade, and especially thanks to you and GuiltyPleasure for your poems that inspired me to write mine. It is written from memory and it was (because of that) hard to write. I'm still not happy with it: some of the line breaks feel wrong to me and there's a few bits where the language seems off. It's such a painful subject that I feel I lean toward abstract where it should be concrete. So I'll edit it after I let my emotions about it settle for a while.

But I'm glad I wrote it. Imo it's important to write the hard poems, y'know?

Sometimes abstract is better to protect the self within the write

The empathy for the narrator and the subject is palpable, it’s horrible situation made into art and it hurts to read.

If you’re able to say thank-you to me for anything I write I’m happy of that despite the content matter of the piece.

Ripping open old wounds old scars let’s us know we’re human, let’s us know we’re alive.

On first read I wasn't looking for flaws I was in the memory the story the piece is all heart and with some refinement could be as good as anything I've read,

I'm just sorry the way you obtained the literary part of a horrible time.

Thank you for sharing

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

29words, has anybody told you not to play with your food?
Nice poem in Poem-a-week BTW.

 

[29wordsforsnow]

29words, has anybody told you not to play with your food?
Nice poem in Poem-a-week BTW.

No one stopped me back then, so...

 

[cascadiabound]

To @Tzara
Your Dysphoria poem is beautiful and driving.
For your consideration:
Just a thought, as I read it, I really wanted that final line to read
"We are not in love." - I think the extra syllable helps drive the point home.

 

[Piscator]

Knowing the GP doesn't like likes, I won't like her latest poem but The World According to Miriam Margolese. is worth reading.

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

Knowing the GP doesn't like likes, I won't like her latest poem but The World According to Miriam Margolese. is worth reading.

Thanks, Fishy. I forgot to mention, she's an Australian now.

 

[Angeline]

Congratulations to all who are persevering thus far. Whether you've written one poem or more each week or you're dropping in when and where you can, you're all keeping the thread and the forum lively. There's a great combination of free verse and traditional forms, even some illustrated poetry (thank you Snow!). And I know everyone's writing is inspiring me: I'm sure it's working on all of us. There's so much good reading there already and we're only six weeks in!

 

[Angeline]

Thanks, Fishy. I forgot to mention, she's an Australian now.

Whatever she is I like her! You've been producing wonderful stuff, really enjoying the reading.