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Rant...
Category: Non-fictionOk, sod it.
I'm just going to say it.
I'm sick and tired of reading lazy poetry on this site. NOT sick of bad poetry, I still write that myself. But sick of reading "poems" which are little more than a diary entry and written in something less than five minutes.
Samuel McChord Crothers said,"A prose writer gets tired of writing prose, and wants to be a poet. So he begins every line with a capital letter, and keeps on writing prose."
Likewise, just writing what you feel like at the moment, but doing so in short lines with no punctuation, is not writing poetry. Even if you do want to just write how you feel (and that can be legitimate poetry) spend some time choosing your words, don't just write down the first thing that comes into your head and consider it done. Oscar Wilde thought each word of a poem was so important he said, "A poet can survive everything but a misprint."
Speaking of poetry about "Feelings" I read a quote (one of many I intend to use here to lend my opinions a weight they perhaps lack) by Soren Kierkegaard. It went -
A poet is an unhappy being whose heart is torn by secret sufferings, but whose lips are so strangely formed that when the sighs and the cries escape them, they sound like beautiful music... and then people crowd about the poet and say to him: "Sing for us soon again;" that is as much as to say, "May new sufferings torment your soul."
Expressing your suffering through poetry is perhaps a good way to get it off your chest, but are you really trying to "sound like beautiful music" or are you just getting shit off your chest? Which I have no problem with by the way, but mail someone...don't call it poetry.
You don't have to suffer to be a poet. Adolescence is enough suffering for anyone. ~John Ciardi
Personally I think lazy poetry shows a lack of respect to something almost magical. Poetry can reduce a person to tears, uplift spirits, or perhaps most impressive: change minds.
Poetry is as powerful as politics and in some cases as revered as religious texts. But why should I continue waffling on when I can just use another quote to say it far better than I can?
Poetry is the journal of the sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the air. Poetry is a search for syllables to shoot at the barriers of the unknown and the unknowable. Poetry is a phantom script telling how rainbows are made and why they go away. ~Carl Sandburg
If he can't convince you to put a little more effort into what you write nobody can.
I shall point no fingers and name no names though, as most of the people I'm talking about stopped reading after the word sod. Feel free to ignore me, but I hate to hold my tongue, hence this pile of bullshit.
I shall leave the last word to Philip Larkin. To contradict me.
"Poetry is nobody's business except the poet's, and everybody else can fuck off."
By monkeyboy2416
Comments: 50
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Comment by DanceInside: 2009-09-13
You truly epitomized the essence of how I feel at this moment. There are so many imbeciles or just in general careless people treating poetry as if it is something with little to less importance than perse their internet blog. They put whatever they want down and pretty much scribble (slamming buttons on the keyboard) groups of words that sound sad or funny or whatever and call it poetry. If you can't even take the time to make it read well and comprehensible, Why waste my time when I put forth the effort in reading it?Comment by SmileEmoKid: 2009-09-11
Iamapencil, yeah the argument was resolved quite a long time ago. thanks for calling me stupid though.Comment by Iamapencil: 2009-09-10
Emokid:
take a breath... an calm down, someone very smart showed me that when you are angry something that sounds smart can sound very... not. Before you write take a breath and calmly say an arguement without saying that the other persons arguement is stupid and in turn makeing a fool of yourself. If not it leads to a debate such as this one that leads to nothing and makes poeple who agree with you look bad. No offense...
Monkeyboy: I must say that I agree then, when poeple use text talk it makes me not want to read it... Or when they use capitals way too much. (there are other ways of emphasising or showing that you are angry). hehehe "I am monkeyboy. Now bow before your god!" can't stop laughing...
Comment by Iamapencil: 2009-09-10
Um.. ignore my last comment, I was being an idiot... :I Sorry...Comment by SmileEmoKid: 2009-09-10
question.. how can you run off sobbing if you're in a wheelchair?????? bwahhahahahahA!Comment by ravenofsorrow: 2009-09-10
i understand what hes saying tho. i read som incredibly stupid shit on here and alls im sayin is that people shouldnt fuck around so much i mean i was feelin kinda bad that i havent wrote as many poems as some of the peopple i see on here with like 200 poems n shit but i realize its better to write quality rather than quantity. im not sayin what i write is all that great but as long as it will mean something to somebody thats all that matters.Comment by monkeyboy2416: 2009-09-10
I'M A BLACK, GAY, SINGLE FATHER IN A WHEELCHAIR...LEAVE ME ALONE!!
*Runs off sobbing*
Comment by SmileEmoKid: 2009-09-10
anyway back to the subject, im TRYING to admit you're right about some of the not-so-much-poets here. i just consider myself one of tehm since i am not as talented as monkeyboy, grunty, and silent words. i get in defense mode. and thanks grunty for lightening the mood. that made me laugh. :]Comment by SilentWords: 2009-09-10
Give me an 'M', Give me an 'o'
Give me an 'n'....
...Give me an 'keyboy2416' (I got lazy..)
What does that spell??!!! Monkeyboy2416!! Yay, goOoOoOo Monkeyboy!!
Yeah Im silly, but Monkey has alot of good points, people on this site (not all) treat poetry like its just some type of blog were you can ramble on about juvenile meaningless crap, put a title on the word turd and call it a bloody poem. Thats not poetry. Okay Im done... pumpkin..
Now
Comment by SmileEmoKid: 2009-09-10
wow, for one, i'm gay. two, even if i was straight i wouldn't fuck "a fat 26yr old who writes poetry" no thanks.Comment by monkeyboy2416: 2009-09-10
Look's like i'm off to have another wank then...guess i'll use my tears as lube...again.Comment by grunty: 2009-09-10
"And in this corner we have a fat 26 yr old poet"
"And in the other corner we have a bi-polar emotionally confused lesbian"
Ding, ding!
"Let's get it on!"
Hahahaha!!!
Pass the popcorn dear.
Comment by monkeyboy2416: 2009-09-10
Fuck me??
Aww, that's sweet. It's been a while, i like the woman on top if you don't mind.
Comment by SmileEmoKid: 2009-09-10
yeah i did comment on jeff-whoever because his "poem" was ridiculous. i finally understand what you were talking about, those kinds of "poets" i guess. but whatever. i'm trying not to fight anymore. but you're pissing me off.
so fuck you. you're wasting my time
Comment by monkeyboy2416: 2009-09-10
1. "ok so you just shot down ever word i said. way to tear me down."
Thanks pumpkin, it's nice to be appreciated.
2. "thats a really smart ass comment that will get your balls kicked in just to let you know."
Look pumpkin, let's not start throwing threats around. I happen to live in England so your threats are redundant. I won't bother to explain why they're also hilarious.
3. "i'm sorry i'm kind of being a bitch about this, i do have a bi-polar issue so at first i was really pissed off and offfended about what you said and now that i re-read over it, i feel kind of stupid."
You also look it pumpkin. Don't hide behind a condition, we're all messed up pumpkin. Like YOU said, "you have no idea what some of these people have been through".
4. "but still,
i'm not trying to be a victim, i'm trying to defend those that aren't going to say anything."
You left a comment on a poem by jeffers just this morning cussing him out about his post. So don't try to take the high moral ground here pumpkin.
5. "and don't call me pumpkin."
Sorry sugarplum.
Comment by grunty: 2009-09-10
Hahahaha!!!
"and don't call me pumpkin""
That is so funny Emo!
Made me laugh..thanks.
Comment by SmileEmoKid: 2009-09-10
ok so you just shot down ever word i said. way to tear me down.
"I am monkeyboy. Now bow before your god. "
thats a really smart ass comment that will get your balls kicked in just to let you know.
i'm sorry i'm kind of being a bitch about this, i do have a bi-polar issue so at first i was really pissed off and offfended about what you said and now that i re-read over it, i feel kind of stupid.
but still,
i'm not trying to be a victim, i'm trying to defend those that aren't going to say anything.
"You can disagree all you like, but it would be nice if you had a good reason...they always help pumpkin. "
and don't call me pumpkin. :]
Comment by JamesR: 2009-09-01
I agree...I agree that all poetry should have thought put into it, it is afterall a text showing your emotions or feelings, don't be lazy with your emotions. I myself actually hate alot of English rules and laws, I like breaking them, but poetry without thought or effort is a poem without purpose or meaning. It won't affect the writer and won't appeal to the reader. Good stuff Monkeyboy2416Comment by monkeyboy2416: 2009-09-09
Ok, here goes...
SmileEmoKid:
1. "i strongly disagree with you. if this site isn't good enough for you, then get the hell out."
You can disagree all you like, but it would be nice if you had a good reason...they always help pumpkin.
And this site is plenty good enough for me, not one single problem with the site, just with lazy poetry.
2. "stop bitchin about it and do something. you arent being forced to read others poetry."
What exactly do you expect me to "Do" other than write this? The people i'm talking about aren't even smart enough to understand this cushion, so even this is a waste of time.
And yes, nobody is forcing me...that would explain why i'm not reading it.
3. "and who the hell are you to judge other people's poetry?"
I am monkeyboy. Now bow before your god.
4. "you have no idea what some of these people have been through. but hey, you don't care, you're to cool to give a damn."
You're right i don't give a damn. You know why?? Because this is a poetry site, for poetry that is at least trying to be a smidge poetic...sometimes.
And i hardly think a fat 26yr old who writes poetry is "cool".
5. "let me guess your gonna read mine and tell me what a PATHETIC POET I AM. because i'm an emotional writer."
Nope, i've just looked at your work and my personal opinions of it are not the point. You obviously spend care over your poetry and are not even nearly one of the people i'm talking about.
So stop trying so hard to be a victim and smile emo kid.
6. "people who write here aren't professional poets. sorry if no one fits up to your standards."
I don't expect anyone to be a professional poet, but it would be nice to see more people trying to be fledgling ones.
And it's not about MY standards, it's about having A standard.
7. "don't be a prick."
To get all old school for a second...
I got two nuts bitch, choose a ball.
viverulz and iamapencil:
I'm not talking about the quality or the subject. Simply the effort expended.
Comment by SmileEmoKid: 2009-09-09
i strongly disagree with you. if this site isn't good enough for you, then get the hell out. stop bitchin about it and do something. you arent being forced to read others poetry.
and who the hell are you to judge other people's poetry?
you have no idea what some of these people have been through. but hey, you don't care, you're to cool to give a damn.
let me guess your gonna read mine and tell me what a PATHETIC POET I AM. because i'm an emotional writer.
oh my.
people who write here aren't professional poets. sorry if no one fits up to your standards. don't be a prick.
Comment by grunty: 2009-09-10
"So stop trying so hard to be a victim and smile emo kid."
Hahaha!
You gotta admit...that was good!
Comment by JamesR: 2009-09-10
Where talking 2 sides here people- There is a difference between effort and quality. Effort is shown with some sort of structure or obvious care gone into puncuation and grammar
Good EG: The green light was the signal for go! Go! Go!
Bad Eg: the red lite was the signl for stoop
Quality could be determined by someones own opinion.
Therefore- Shutup emo kid, Monkeyboy is right.
*Bows before Monkeyboy*
Comment by SmileEmoKid: 2009-09-10
ok so you just shot down ever word i said. way to tear me down.
"I am monkeyboy. Now bow before your god. "
thats a really smart ass comment that will get your balls kicked in just to let you know.
i'm sorry i'm kind of being a bitch about this, i do have a bi-polar issue so at first i was really pissed off and offfended about what you said and now that i re-read over it, i feel kind of stupid.
but still,
i'm not trying to be a victim, i'm trying to defend those that aren't going to say anything.
"You can disagree all you like, but it would be nice if you had a good reason...they always help pumpkin. "
and don't call me pumpkin. :]
Comment by niallhybris: 2009-09-03
WOW poets with attitude man! lol im no poet and only joined an hour ago so i have no viable reason to rant alongside you... but that never stopped me before!
THOSE DAMN NEWBIE UNPOETIC RATBAGS
Comment by Darknessbeckonsme: 2009-09-03
Lol nice again m8..maybe you'll get some of these people to actually try for once..I'd rather see them write horribly while trying than not try at all.Comment by darksideofme: 2009-09-04
Hey..... I have ants in my pants!!!!!Comment by viverulz: 2009-09-06
Lazy poetry might be treasure to someone else. Wise people said and people listened. Its not like they got a headstart debut.Comment by missingmom: 2009-09-08
AMEN!!Comment by Iamapencil: 2009-09-08
I usually put alot of thought into my poetry, but on certain occasions when I have strong feelings I pour it into my poetry! I see nothing wrong with displaying emotions in a poem. Some poeple may think that problems with boyfriends or other things are not cause for poetry, but to others it is something they branch thier creativity off of.
I think politics is a terrible thing to do a poem of... but to others it is an inspiration and a beautiful way of expressing freedom to write what you want! A poem that seems lazy to some may mean something to others.
Comment by ReverberatingSilence: 2009-08-31
hahahahahahahahhaahhahahahahhahahahahahaha,
Preach, brother primatedude...
ha(one more gasp of laughter, just for you,)
Comment by darksideofme: 2009-08-31
Yes.... it would appear that poetry has become Twitter. Sigh.
I can't exactly say I'm not guilty of the Venting poetry that just sort of gets stuff off my mind. I always put thought into what I say though. People seem to appreciate it. Maybe instead of attacking their poetry.... maybe you could point them towards a more appropriate site for them.
www.Twitter.com
Comment by grunty: 2009-08-30
I believe the energy spent crying about the same thing over and over could be put to much better use. Much of what I read is juvenile, but I guess that is par for the course.
BTW....what is the fascination with blood. I think this is a symptom of a society that has not experienced much blood letting. People that claim they want blood are usually the first to run from it. Try to see the big picture...your complaints and troubles are really quite insignificant compared to the pain of many others.
Comment by Haylo: 2009-08-29
i agree. i think..i mean, it bugs the crap out of me when people write poetry like that. it is good to get things off of your chest, but it isnt really poetry. if u wunt to get a fullfilling therapy through writer, then u really should think about each word individually. if u were writing a song on the piano and one of the notes didnt sound write, u would change it. to make it fit the mood. and that is what u should do with your poetry. make every word as though you are breathing it. taste them on your tongue until u find the right ones to express your feelings. and maybe this didnt make any sense to u, but oh well. nice quotes by the way.Comment by PrettyOdd: 2009-08-29
I love you. I really, really love you.
I can't even explain how annoyed I get when I read some of the "poetry" on this site. It's pathetic, really. And if you call them out on it, they get all pissy and tell you to fuck off. But this isn't myspace or facebook. It's a poetry site. A site for poetry. Poetry, yes? Yes.
Comment by SilentWords: 2009-09-01
HaHa I love you too. I agree with every word you said. I even dont come to this site as much (of course I do still come and read all of the wonderful poets who have such a great talent, you know who you are) because alot of the newer members or even just newer poetry is just BLAH, rambling on about how you hate your mom and dad, or how your girl/boy friend left you is NOT a poem! I guess I will end this with a quote as well.
I wish our clever young poets would remember my homely definitions of prose and poetry; that is, prose - words in their best order; poetry - the best words in their best order.
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Comment by doomsbringer: 2009-09-17
Hey, I think that while its worthwhile to be a critic, sometimes the writing to 'get it off your chest' can be that interpretation of poetry. Perhaps flawed, but never-the-less meant as such.
Comment by Iamapencil: 2009-09-20
Emokid:
I realized that after I posted the comment the comment... thank you. And I wasn't calling you stupid, I was just trying to help... which of course made me stupid. I apologize for that.
Comment by randeabby08: 2009-09-23
i dont think i've ever seen something written by such an arrogant asshole! you just basically told people that if they want to write about what they feel then its not poetry! thats crap! poetry is all about what you feel! and by the way, ive read your stuff, and it all sucks, so by sticking up for everyone one this site, maybe you are the one that should stop writing!Comment by randeabby08: 2009-09-23
ooops almost forgot, a poet can be a happy person, so the person you got that quote from is full of crap, cuz im perfectly happy with my life and i write all the time!Comment by monkeyboy2416: 2009-09-23
Here we go again.
1. "i dont think i've ever seen something written by such an arrogant asshole"
You also said "ive read your stuff", so yes you have seen something written by such an asshole.
2. "you just basically told people that if they want to write about what they feel then its not poetry"
I think you'll find i said "Even if you do want to just write how you feel (and that can be legitimate poetry)".
3. "by the way, ive read your stuff, and it all sucks"
Once again, i said "NOT sick of bad poetry, I still write that myself". Did i claim to be good?
Next time read more carefully you idiot.
Comment by monkeyboy2416: 2009-09-23
ooops, i almost forgot.
If Soren Kierkegaard is full of crap, then you sir are no better than a sundried dog turd.
Comment by randeabby08: 2009-09-24
you dont know shit! and for one thing, im a girl, and my fiance will kick your damn ass! And excuse you for saying that im no better than a sundried dog terd, if thats the best you got, you really suck, and number two, id be the best you ever had so shut the fuck up!Comment by monkeyboy2416: 2009-09-24
I hardly think i'll be taking a threat from a child an ocean away seriously.
And no, that's not the best i've got, i simply extended your metaphor.
"id be the best you ever had so shut the fuck up!"
wtf?
Comment by deathsmessanger: 2009-10-01
...............Comment by PrettyOdd: 2009-10-06
Ohmygod. I almost pissed myself I was laughing so hard. You need to post stuff like this more often. I really do enjoy reading idiots comment on shit they don't understand.
randeabby08, such anger. And what wonderful judgements about poetry from someone who has no poems up.
Sixteen and engaged, hm? Hope that works out for you, sweetheart. Ha!
Comment by sonara: 2009-10-29
smileemokid,you may be bi-polar,but try a 17 year old with anger issues,who may be bi-polar,and who had a cousin that didn't keep his hands to himself 4 THE WHOLE SUMMER.I am tired of people saying in ain't got it hard,but you haven't lived my f**king life.i also have DID.Comment by sonara: 2009-10-29
im gay too,but i ain't no old guy.
Comment by Shadow17: 2009-11-16
Simply said, I have to agree. As long as you TRY to put in the effort and give thought to your poems it's all good. Emotions, issues, all fine, but try to write a decent poem. Doesn't have to be good, but decent in the sense of good grammar, punctuation and any sign of thought process, basically.
Yeah, nothing more, nothing less. Just effort. You all know what effort is, right?